Choosing a baby name can be a lot of pressure.
When you’re expecting a baby, there’s a lot to think about, not least of all what name you want to give them. Some parents will have a name picked out for months before their baby arrives, but others struggle to settle on a moniker they like until they’ve laid eyes on their bundle of joy.
The pressure of coming up with the perfect name your child will use for the rest of their lives can be daunting for many parents, and for those who aren’t completely set on the moniker they choose, it can result in feelings of regret a few months later. This is exactly what one mum is facing two months after she welcomed her daughter into the world – as she’s worried she made a huge mistake.
In a post on Reddit, the woman said she named her daughter Leona, and at first, she loved the moniker as it was “strong and elegant”. But the more she thinks about it, the more she can’t stand the name.
She said: “My daughter’s name is Leona, and while I chose it with love, I’ve been feeling really torn about it, especially since giving birth two months ago.
“Some days, I absolutely love the name – it’s strong, elegant, and I feel it suits her so well. But other days, I just don’t feel like it fits, and I question if I made the right choice. It’s like I’m experiencing a kind of name regret, and it’s been really hard to settle my feelings. I keep wondering if I should have picked something else or if this is just part of the postpartum experience.”
In the UK, parents can change their child’s name within a year of birth registration, but this change can only be made once.
After this window has passed, the name must be changed by deed poll, which will require the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility as well as a court order. It costs around £50 to apply to change a child’s name by deed poll, including the cost for all the relevant forms you need.
Commenters on the mum’s post were supportive of her, with many saying name regret is a common thing parents face, especially in the first couple of months when emotions are high. They also noted Leona is a “beautiful name” and is likely something the mum will come to love again.
One person said: “Leona is a beautiful name. Don’t make any big decisions right now. Your body and mind are still healing. Call her whatever you like for now. It can change daily!” Another added: “I experienced this with both of mine the first few months, but I feel like they ‘grow into it’ soon after as you begin to use their name more.”
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