Name - should I change her name?

[Xmaslover2018]

My LO is 5.5mths old and since week 2 I've been having a feeling that her name is not right. but it has been growing in intensity rather than dampening like I'd hoped. the name is Ruby. my issue is with how people are saying it, it is very much like rooobb beeeee and a neighbour recently said she'd keep getting the name mixed up with our dog as it "sounds similar" ' dogs name is Benny. and now it's all i can think of. I am dealing with ppa/ppd also, but I think a lot of it is due to the name. I thought it was a lovely name but not anymore. I am thinking of changing it. is it too late? she has her birth certificate and has been christened. Am in Rep. Ireland. The names i think could be nicer are Maeve, Ava, Kate (although hubbies not a fan of these two), Caoimhe, Eve/Evie and Ellen. any help would be so appreciated 👏 xx

Do you really don't like it anymore? That's the issue.

Does she have a middle name you could use?

It's ok to change at 5.5 months although I don't know the legalities around it Ireland.

I would keep Ruby as a middle name so she doesn't lose it altogether.

Ruby is a perfectly fine name. I really like Maeve from your list though.

If you genuinely feel you got the name wrong, and your husband is on board, I don't see why not.

How about Maeva (since you have both Maeve and Ava on your list). Maeva Ruby sounds nice.

Yes, you should change her name if it is easy to do so.
You could keep her original name and add a new first name - so three names.
All but Evie sound good with Ruby as the second name.

All names are nice but YOU and DH have to choose what you both love this time.

My preferences, in order ..
Caoimhe Ruby XX
Ellen Ruby XX
Kate/Catherine/Cate Ruby XX
Maeve Ruby XX
Ava Ruby XX
Eve Ruby XX
Evie Ruby XX

No don't change it, Ruby is a great name

Its very common for ppd / ppa to cause fixations on a baby's name. Are you having any treatment for how you are feeling? I've been there and its rough so im sorry you are feeling that way. If you are getting treatment, then it might be worth waiting a little bit to see whether you still feel the same once you are feeling more like yourself again? Is there a time limit in RoI on changing a baby's name?

Im in the UK so probably slightly different, but we have loads of Evie / Eve / Ava / Maeve around at the minute. Would it bother you if you changed her name to one that is very popular and you find lots of other babies have the same name?

@Xmaslover2018

I had PPA/PPD, so hope you can hear me.
Please focus on dealing with your MH first. Are you on medication? And/or - are you having counselling?

The name is not the reason for your PPD.

It’s the other way around - because your brain is in some sort of chemical/hormonal misbalance - you are extra sensitive to things (eg neighbours pronouncing DD’s name differently). If you were healthy - you’d realise that it is minor, and will change with time. And you’ll also see that changing a baby’s name won’t cure your PPD.

Please - get better first before you make any serious decisions affecting your daughter.

I like Ruby - although I’m not sure I understand the concerns with pronunciation , how were you expecting or how do you pronounce Ruby?

I wouldn’t worry about the Benny Ruby that’s just silly lots of names finish in the y as a e sound. Other than the end sound the names are completely different so your neighbour is a bit ridiculous there.

I love Maeve but it is very popular.

I thought about changing my DD’s name a lot and still think ohhh she would suit that name too . Remember at 5.5 months she isn’t a personality yet. I think as they smile and laugh more you happily associate them with the name and stop questioning the name choice.

That’s exactly how I’d pronounce Ruby (in Ireland too).
I think it’s a much nicer name than the others listed…

I think Ruby is a lovely name. Don't do anything rash regarding the name just now.

I think Ruby is a lovely name and I prefer it to the ones on your list, although I do like Ava - that’s one of my daughter’s middle names. I wouldn’t worry about the Benny Ruby what does that even mean?

Ruby is a beautiful name. Very underrated.

I have looked after a couple of ruby’s, one very young, one very old. Both lovely!

Lots of women have a baby name wobble on here when they’re struggling post natal and also have given their daughters pretty names. Names which I think are absolutely perfect for any age, from toddler, teen, woman. But for some reason they worry when they’ve chosen a name such as ruby/lily/lola etc that the name is almost too “pretty” and should they have chosen something different especially when people say things like “oh it’s like the dogs name”. That’s just stupid, often the child is Bella or Daisy, not rover or Fido.
Lovely names suited to any age.

Ruby is lush. Keep it!

I love the name Ruby - not overly popular even though it’s been top ish for a long time. Better than your other options but consider why you’re thinking of changing her name like PPs have said in case there’s a PPD issue lurking x

Ruby is a lovely name. Don't change it.

Ruby is absolutely fine and you are massively overthinking and fixing on it being an issue.

Ruby is a beautiful name, don't change it.

Ruby is a great name and nicer than the others on your list

I think 5 months is too late (not legally but it’ll feel weird to everyone) to change a baby’s name. She is Ruby now and Ruby is a lovely name!

Ruby is lovely. I like it more than the other names.

My neice is a Ruby. I think it’s lovely and really suits her.

I am sorry about your experience with ppa/ppd. If you are able to wait on the name change, could you do it once you feel a bit more yourself and see how you really feel? I don’t know how it works in RoI.

But with regards to it sound like Benny, does it? To me it does not at all! They are both very obvious to pronounce and distinct names.

If it matters to the parent that much, screw what everyone else feels. I'm not saying OP should, but thinking this thought nearly stopped me from changing my son's name. I was deeply unhappy with our choice and DS is nearly 4 now. I'm so glad we changed his name to what he is. I would have always had that regret. The regret is what made me have PND, not the other way round. PND immediately went away for me once we had made the change.

OP, for what it's worth, I think Ruby is a lovely name.

Ruby is a beautiful name, my favourite from your list. However, these things are very personal and of course you can change it if you would like to. I think it’s important to consider the pp advice on the impact your PPD might be having on your feelings about the name too. Best of luck 💐

Definitely change if you don’t like Ruby. She’s still young enough not to get confused.

My Granddaughter is Ruby, she’s almost 21 and absolutely loves her name. I have a daughter Kate, and she absolutely loves her name too.
Just go with your heart.