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Baby names

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Original poster

Change baby name?

28 replies

teapot29 · 30/04/2026 09:09

What are your thoughts on changing a 5minth olds name. She is Poppy at the moment but I feel quite strongly now her name should have been Mae. She has siblings that will probably object and struggle to change and also generally I think people would struggle to adjust to calling her something different. I was very confused when she was born but now I’ve settled I have regret. What are your thoughts?

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Dalmationday · 30/04/2026 09:10

Poppy is lovely.

if you were wanting to change Mae to Poppy I would be strongly encouraging you

MumDoingHerBest · 30/04/2026 09:12

Could you have Poppy become her middle name, or would you object to anyone calling her Poppy as a sort-of nickname? Then she could be Mae to you and to anyone else who you introduce her to as Mae, and Mae at school, but her siblings could still call her Poppy if they wanted to? I have a little girl called Maddie but we sort of nicknamed her Maggie Moo (don’t ask why! 🤣) and now we all call her a mixture of Maddie, Maggie, Bug, Moggie… the list goes on! She answers to all of them. ☺️ just a thought, but ultimately it’s your decision as parents and I’m sure others will adapt in time. X

StationJack · 30/04/2026 10:57

Mae is awful, Poppy is lovely.

sesquipedalian · 30/04/2026 11:04

Poppy is a delightful name. Could you add Mae as a middle name? You can call your daughter whatever you like - my youngest brother is called a name that isn’t his at all, it just evolved when he was a baby.

dailyconniptions · 30/04/2026 11:37

Mae is far worse than Poppy imo. Can't bear that spelling either. Poppy is a great name OP.

Original poster
teapot29 · 30/04/2026 12:11

Thanks for being so kind everyone, I think there’s an element of postnatal anxiety to my worry!! Thanks so much xx

OP posts:
MNLurker1345 · 30/04/2026 12:15

Poppy is a beautiful name for I am sure a beautiful little baby. Poppies are my favourite flower and I love the French word for poppy - ‘coquelicot’ it is so cute.

Bristolandlazy · 30/04/2026 12:18

Poppy is a beautiful name. I personally don't like Mae. You should do what you think but I would choose Poppy from those two.

bigsoftcocks · 30/04/2026 12:19

Poppy is far superior to Mae

SummerInSun · 30/04/2026 12:22

Mae also dooms her to a life of her name being misspelled at May on everything and constantly having to spell it for people, correct on docs, people not being able to match her ID docs to whatever they have incorrectly put into their system, etc. (I speak as someone whose name is always being misspelled!)

Teacakeswithmeltedbutter · 30/04/2026 12:24

Poppy is a beautiful name. I'm not a fan of Mae at all, prefer May, but that is only my personal preference.

In your shoes, I would add on Mae (or May😉) as a middle name rather than change her whole name, although that is probably one of the most common middle names around at the moment. She can always go by this later if she prefers it.

Wayk · 30/04/2026 12:33

Could you call her Poppy Mai?

StationJack · 30/04/2026 12:38

Please don't. Mai is fine if you're Welsh - it's May and pronounced My - but not as a spelling of May.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 30/04/2026 12:58

I think it’s easy to add in or change Christian names if they’re under one- Poppy May is beautiful and you can call her May / Mae then when she’s at school she can choose which one to use?

Bowling4soup · 30/04/2026 13:05

Change it to Poppy-Mae? I think that sounds really cute

AgnesMcDoo · 30/04/2026 13:07

Poppy is much nicer than Mae

StationJack · 30/04/2026 13:37

Bowling4soup · 30/04/2026 13:05

Change it to Poppy-Mae? I think that sounds really cute

[clutches pearls]

Fedup360 · 30/04/2026 13:44

If you really love Mae, just add it as a middle name, then if you want to use it as a nickname you can, Poppy is nicer IMO

MississippiCroc · 30/04/2026 14:14

Bowling4soup · 30/04/2026 13:05

Change it to Poppy-Mae? I think that sounds really cute

Chavtastic.

StationJack · 30/04/2026 14:18

If you really want to change it you can. Look at other name regret sites on here for more info or contact your register office.

The baby's birth certificate will look the same but the new name will be in Section 17. That will be the name going forward.

You will need to get the passport changed too, if the baby has one.

If you find you are thinking a bit obsessively about the name it could be a sign of some underlying issue so speak to your GP/practice nurse.

WallaceinAnderland · 30/04/2026 14:20

Could you have Poppy become her middle name

As in May Poppy? I don't think you can do that.

Moveoverdarlin · 30/04/2026 14:22

Poppy is a million million times nicer than Mae.

Enko · 30/04/2026 14:27

teapot29 · 30/04/2026 12:11

Thanks for being so kind everyone, I think there’s an element of postnatal anxiety to my worry!! Thanks so much xx

Do you think speaking with a gp could aid this? Or your health visitor. How bad is the anxiety?

Would you be happy with it as a middlename as suggested or does that feel wrong?

You mention other children resisting it does this factor heavilly for you?

Do you think this is about the name or soemthing else you are unhappy about outside of your control.

Lastly I like others prefer Poppy however its not about that its about what will make you feel calm and non anxious

MsSmartShoes · 30/04/2026 15:07

Change it now. I like May.

Norastroud · 30/04/2026 22:49

Im sorry you’re feeling unsettled, i hope you can speak to your close family members about this and see how they feel. Both names are lovely, you could change her name or perhaps add Mae as a middle name? Best of luck x