anyone used section 17 on birth cert to change name after registration?

[ClaireyB]

I was wondering if anyone, has used the section 17 part of the birth certificate to change first name, after registration. I am struggling to get used to dd name Cerys, and possibly going to change it, but then feel guilty as it will always be on her full birth certificate, and keep thinking is it right decision to make changing it.??

I have not used S. 17 but I would say that if you feel unsettled about the name then change it. I am sure that when dd grows up she will probably thank you for it. My ds has three christian names - not my choice at the time! He only chooses to use the 2 that I chose for him and doesn't like the third.

I know you feel guilty but don't. Sometimes babies do not look like the name we have dreamed of for them - she can always have Cerys as a middle name and in time can choose herself.

hi there. i know, i love the name just not what it may be shortened to. my other thought is caitlin. cerys is so pretty though. just want her to like name. its hard as we thought she was a boy x

I like that name, it's lovely, much nicer than Caitlin IMO. I would leave it now, she can change it when older if she wants herself. What nicknames could she get that you don't like, Cerri, Cez, not that bad really and probs only get at school etc. (I know a Cerys and a Carys (adults) and none are shortened. (Caitlin likely to be Cait, Caity anyway or even 'K' and my DD's friend Caitlin is 'Cake') .

I know 4 people called Cerys, 2 are adults, one is 2 and the other 8 and none of them are ever called anything other than Cerys! It is short anyway I don't think it would be automatically shortened unless you called her a shortened version, then people would only call her that as you have started it!

fwiw I like Cerys.. BUT I changed my DD's name when she was 3 months old and I am so glad. I had chosen a name I did not like for her, registered under protest at 6 weeks, and called her by her real name thereafter. YOu can change on bc until 1 year.

What is worse, having a name for her whole life that you don't like or having a slightly unusual birth certificate (which you only really need to dig out every 10 years for a new passport)

If you want to change it, go ahead

Love Cerys, don't like Caitlin - sorry. [smile

I changed DD's middle name. You get a new long birth certificate that still has the original name at the top, with the new one in section 17. A new short certificate only has the new name. I've found that I have to remind anyone looking at the certificate to check the box with the new name - she's been registered for a few things with the wrong name.

I came across her birth certificate the other day and it felt strange seeing the original name - I used to feel quite strongly against it, now I just feel nothing. When I see the new name, I see her - the other one means nothing.

I don't know if that helps!

I think Cerys is nicer than Caitlin (no offence to anyone, i also like the name Caitlin).
I couldnt call my ds by his name for the first 2 months or so, just called him baby! It just didnt feel wright calling him by his name but now he's 15 months and I cant imagine being called anything else!
I think sometimes it just takes time to get used to calling a small baby by their name but as they get older they start suiting their name, IYSWIM.

Hi again, I think Cerys is a beautiful name myself, I like it better than Caitlin. My daughter's friend is a Caitlin and she gets Katie Lou! BTW I named my daughter Alicia (not pronounced Aleesha!) and no one has ever shortened her name - I would hate it if they did and so would she.

keep Cerys if you love it and want to - it is a gorgeous name.

C

Hi guys. Think I am leaning towards keeping Cerys. It is Ceri and Ces tht I really am worried about it being shortened to, but everyone keeps saying it wouldn;t, because it is short enough and a really pretty name. I just never saw myself with a ceri, to which my husband says you haven't got a Ceri you have a Cerys which is a totally different name. I am worried if I change it on birth certificate, will she in years to come question why and be unhappy that her birth cert has a diff name???
All people who know a Cerys or are Cerys has said they've never had it shortened. Is it normal to worry like this???? I think its because she was a boy in my mind, and also it wasn;t a name we had choosen really, because of this dilemma. x

Regarding how she'll feel seeing her birth certificate, personally I've decided to make it into one of the stories I tell DD - the name just wasn't 'her', I wanted it to be just right, changing made it perfect. I guess her story will be that once I'd met her I had to work out her name from who she was.

You have to be absolutely convinced if you change it. If you find her name is growing on you it will probably be fine, if it continues to feel wrong though...

Cerys is a lovely name - as is Caitlin!

It is totally normal, or at least quite common, to think 'did I pick the right name/spelling etc etc..'. I almost changed the spelling of my DD's name but glad I stuck with the original. Not only are all our cards and personalised gifts of that spelling but also it was 'the name we chose at the time' which feels right and felt wrong to mess with it.

What if we changed it and then got annoyed again or changed our minds again. Any name can get a nickname. At my daughters secondary they often make a nn out of the surname eg 'smithy' or simelar and not the first name. I really don't think she will get Ces or Ceri as it is just as easy to say Cerys. If she decides on a shortening she may choose her own anyway, maybe CeCe or something cute.