Baby name change

[Sossita]

I’ve finally decided to change my daughter’s first name before she turns one.

I really love a name that’s completely different from her current one, but I’m worried it might feel awkward for family, friends, and even for us, since we’ve been calling her by her current name for 11 months.

Another option is to simply add the letter “a” to her existing name. I like that version, though not as much as the completely different name. The benefit is that no one will really notice the change, and it would still feel more acceptable to me than her current name.

what do you think guys and what you advise please

Is the name Lina then? If so it's a pretty name and I can't understand why it's English slang. Sorry so confused.

@Mcoco , that isn't the baby's current name, so isn't the name that sounds like a drug that most of us don't seem to have heard of. There's a link on page 1 to another thread which might enlighten you.

Imagine OP had a DD called Lucy. OP regretted the link with a drug, and she's asking whether to change the name to Lucia, change it to Layla which she loves, or leave it as it is.

(The name isn't Lucy)

What is the name!!!!!!

What is the name!!!!!!

Definitely change it if you think it will feel right.

I named my daughter something I/we loved, then realised that everyone in the UK pronounces it in a way I hadn't expected and didn't like. I really don't know why I hadn't realised until then.

I dithered, and felt silly and embarrassed about it, and stupidly asked MN who were really quite cruel about it. I remember someone asking me why I would 'centre myself' in my daughter's name choice

Anyway she is nearly 4, and although I think her name is beautiful, I regret it. There were other factors at play that meant I wasn't strong enough to change it at the time and looking back it just makes me quite sad.

I'd think carefully about this. If you change her name, it might cause a nightmare in the future because she has always been known by another name (think about official documents). Then if she chooses to get married and chooses to change her surname she would have changed her name for a 2nd time. It might make life tricky.

Id change her name in everything but law - no one needs to know her real one. You're even asked to confirm your child's "preferred" name when at school.

@Nearlyamumoftwo , You can get a baby's birth certificate changed if the baby is younger than 12 months, and it doesn't need declaring on forms.

After 12 months, the name on the BC can't be changed, and will need declaring.

Yes, I'd get on with it op. You've posted because it bothers you and an "a" will make no difference to baby; she'll still hear her name in it.

Layla is my favourite name. Favourite for her sister. So I think about it we like all songs with Layla. Fo you think any bad connotations or bullying may rise by that name or not and go ahead?

@Sossita Is your other daughter called Lara?

No

@Sossita Sossita, if bullies target you, they will use your name, voice, hair colour, height, where you live, whatever. Your child will need to rise above it. The bullies stop if you don't react.
Teach your child how to set boundaries.

I don't think your child will get bullied for the name she currently has , which IMO is nicer than Layla.

My concern is that this isn't about the name - once it is changed, you might fixate on something else.

If you and the baby's father are both willing to change the name, then do so before the 12 months deadline.

I agree with this op.

And in all honesty the possible (only possible - and ultimately anything is possible) objections to the names under consideration are not really things that children of name-bullying age will be aware of.

I would personally add the "a" because I think it would make you feel better, and because I think it will make little or no difference to the baby at this age as it is similar enough. And you have time. Just.

I wouldn't change to Layla as, like most names, and as discussed on the other thread, it has its own potential for implications.

But none of it is serious. It's not like you are calling her Willy or Regina - and even then plenty of people do and the children survive.

i am so think I can’t figure out the name! So can’t advise on how bad/slangy it actually is.
go ahead and change it op. My friend of 35 years changed her name. I still call her by the name I called her when we were 7. She answers… she changed her name in her 20 ‘s to be cool.

@August1980 , you probably won't know the name or have heard of the drug. The name is given to 70+ girls a year and is Arabic.

It's nothing like Marijuana.
I'd say it was a bit like Doll. It could be slang for barbs/speed, then OP asking if she should change the name to Dolla, Delia or Hannah.

(The name isn't Doll)

Thank you! Bless OP. Just go ahead and change it. Don’t worry about other people . Baby will be coming home to you crying if it’s not right and she is being teased…

You are assuming that OP lives in an area with loads of druggies' children who are familiar with obscure slang words, @August1980 .

Change to a completely different name, but check it with this forum first to avoid a repeat of the mistake. You had no way of knowing the slang until you’d named her really, and you have given it plenty of thought.

Im still none the wiser on the name!!

So the kid is called Lina? And someone said it’s to do with drugs?! Weird

@nellietheellie75 , the name is not relevant. OP has probably a few days in which to change the name. She has suggested 3 names.
1 she loves but some of us link with alternative chorus to a popular rock classic,
2 is a name that is basically the current name with an a added at the end.
3 something different.

@CountryQueen , the name is not Lina.
The baby is called [name]. [name] sounds similar to an obscure slang word for a non-class A drug.
OP is trying to choose a new name for [name], and has suggested Lina, Layla or Hannah.

I am now between Hannah and Layla.But Layla is the closest to my heart

It is about 8 people now confirmed that. I asked about 3 while I was with my daughter in soft play and they know. It is known because of pop culture

You go about asking 'Do you know what [slang] is?' ?
They probably think you're a dealer!

Well just change it then OP. The A makes a big difference.

But don't leave it too late if you have your heart set on it. It gets far more complicated past baby's birthday.