Name regret what to do…

[NameIDK]

I have a 7m old baby boy called Ben.
Benjamin on the BC, but the trouble is I HATE the name Benjamin (but do like Ben). At the dr - the other day got Benjamin-ed multiple times. Cringing inside. It’s lesson in you should like all forms of a name and also I’m now mad at putting the long traditional name on BC when I had no intention of using it.
I know you can change names within a year without it being such a problem. For changing I feel it’s now or never as he’ll start recognising his name soon.
I wish I’d picked something more Scottish (we are Scottish).
I had a name wobble before at 1w old and also 5 m. My DH/my parents convinced me to stick. Basically every time I’m shattered I fixate on the name. Not PND - I’m happy otherwise. We were going to go with Euan and then late on in pregnancy I thought of Ben and we went with it.
I’m not sure what I’m asking…love for name Benjamin? Should I apply to change BC just to Ben - I am thinking this is maybe the best option? Should I change to Euan, Finlay or Ruaridh?
Also DC1 is Hamish - 3yo. The name change would be confusing for him.
When I had a wobble before, in the end I decided if I wasn’t sure and debating names rather than thinking I definitely want to change to X, then I probably shouldn’t t do it. But I’m still keep coming back to it. Help!

As someone who has name regret and didn't change my child's name (they are now an adult), I would say if you want to change it then do it. Go with your heart, and change to the Scottish name you want.

You can only change the name officially once.
I think I am definitely going to change it from Benjamin but just trying to work out if changing it to Ben is enough to make me happy!!
I do like short names - like Ben, Sam, Tom type names which is why we picked it. I’m not changing to one of them! I’m trying to explain that I do like the name Ben. It’s only flaw being that it’s not particularly Scottish.
I guess it’s with hindsight, that I’m hankering after a Scottish name like his brother, but I’m trying to work out how strong that feeling is and that feeling has been compounded by the long name issue.

Why not change it to Euan Ben, Ruaridh Ben, Finley Ben, etc. That way you get a more Scottish sounding name, you lose Benjamin and still keep Ben.

He already has a middle name after a Grandad so don’t really feel we can drop that.
And I don’t want 2 middles names.
Thanks though @NewJobProblem it’s not a bad idea!

While I personally love the name Benjamin, it does sound like you should change it, given the strength of feeling and with DH on board as well. Take your time with it and maybe practice some different names until you feel certain. Don't beat yourself up, it's such a tough decision and you are allowed to get it wrong first time. Once you make it official everyone will get used to it quickly and it will soon be a non-issue.

I'd address he fact that you're 'shattered' and leave the name alone.

You will just find something else to fixate upon ad infinitum otherwise.

What is going wrong in your life and why are you externalising it?

Ben is as Scottish as Ben Nevis; surely it's Scottish.

You could change the name to Ben Euan or just Ben second name..

You don't like Benjamin.

Realistically what are the chances of your child being called Benjamin?
I would say most people will always call him Ben.
Is that ok with you?
Fwiw I think Benjamin and Ben are both nicer than the other names you have mentioned.

Thanks again for all replies! I’m changing it to Ben on the BC and no change to his everyday life.

Ask the GP to change his preferred name to Ben or his "known as" name to Ben. Do this with nursery and school as well. I am Jennifer but my mum hated it so she ALWAYS called me Jenny. As I have aged I appreciate Jennifer much more and prefer it.

We have the identical name and until I read your thread I had genuinely forgotten that was his real name and not just Ben!!

As he gets older, no one will call him Benjamin (though now ours is old enough to get married, I'm suddenly wondering if they legally have to call him that at the ceremony!)

I must admit if I was starting again, I'd just go for 'Ben'

Just change it. Otherwise it will keep cropping up and pissing you off. And as your changing it officially to Ben from Benjamin, no one will ever ever notice or know you have done it. Whereas changing it from Ben to Euan would raise a few eyebrows at this stage.

Just change it. I don’t understand people putting the longer name when they don’t like it. Ben is his name

DS2 has a longer name, we shorten it I absolutely love his shortened name I don't like his full name very much.
We fill in forms with known as X, tell nursery etc and they all use his shortened version.

It helps that he also just responds with no my name is X if someone calls him his full name.

We did it so he had the choice.

You won’t just change it.

Love love love Benjamin. I am extremely picky about names and this is one of the few I love. But if you and your husband don’t it’s probably best to change it although I think if he is called Ben by everyone surely people will stop calling him Benjamin as he grows.

Friend with two boys changed name of second son at 6 months, confused a few people but her child so no one else’s business, now 13 and goes by the second name wouldn’t imagine anyone remembers that they changed it x