DD’s name - please talk me down

[justme563]

My DD is four months old and I’m having a crisis over her name.

After a lot of deliberation and research, DH and I decided on a name when I was around 25 weeks pregnant and referred to my bump by that name for the rest of my pregnancy. We both liked it a lot and it just felt “right”.

I continued to really like the name after she was born, until some friends announced the birth of their DD two months ago.

As soon as I read what they’d called their DD I had a horrible sinking feeling because I loved the name so much. It also jogged my memory because I’d seen the name on a Mumsnet thread about baby names a while ago, but didn’t add it to our shortlist. I’m not sure why I didn’t but I’m kicking myself now!

Our friends got a lot of comments under their post from people saying how much they love the name, including from DH! Which is something that didn’t really happen when we announced our baby’s name.

All I can think of now is how I wish that we’d called our DD by that name, how much happier I’d be if I had done and how I’ve already let her down by not choosing her the best name possible. I felt even worse after reading an article on this subject, where the author was saying how enormously important it is naming a baby, how a name says so much about them and can have a huge bearing on their whole future.

I have struggled greatly with becoming a mother and have had what I think could be some postnatal depression if that is relevant. I’m also dreadfully indecisive by nature and terrible at handling any sort of change. When we got our puppy I was miserable for months because I felt we’d made a bad decision by getting a dog - but I love her to pieces now.

I absolutely don’t want to change DD’s name because we’ve told the world, and I would feel like a complete idiot. Plus there’s no way DH would agree to copying our friends’ name and it’s the only other name that I like.

DD’s name is a classic name that’s not over-used. Our friends’ DD is also a classic but it’s a lot more unusual.

How can I move on from this?

[Seeline]

There is no such thing as a perfect name!
We spent ages choosing names for our DC - as I'm sure most people do. we waited until both were born before finally deciding to check that the names suited each child. we were happy.

Now teenagers, neither child is particularly happy with their name. I have a name that can't really be shortened (or lengthened!) to form a nick name. I have always hated that, so specially chose names that worked in their correct form, or could be shortened if the DCs wanted too. Turns out neither of them wanted shortened versions, and are fed up with all and sundry - especially teachers actually - calling them in this way.

I'm still happy, but I don't think everyone ever will be.

Concentrate on your gorgeous DD, and she will become the person that you chose that name for.