Mom Wants To Change Daughter’s Name Because It’s “Too Common”
What's in a name? A name can define who we are, making us individuals. Some names are passed down from generation to generation, and others are chosen to be unique as possible.
This parent thought she had given her daughter a beautiful and unique name but realized it wasn't as unique as she thought, and now she's regretting it.
Mumsnet; A Way For Parents To Connect
Mumsnet is a popular website in the United Kingdom for parents to connect and share stories with other parents. Basically, it is Reddit for parents!
It started in the early 2000s and has grown over the years, with millions connecting on the website.
"Am I Being Unreasonable?"
In a popular thread called "Am I Being Unreasonable?"
A mother with the username Chesternut made a post asking if she was being unreasonable for wanting to change her 4-year-old's name.
"My DD is 4 years old and I gave her a name which, I thought, was very original as I hadn't heard another girl called it in about 20 years. Only to find when she started nursery another girl called the same but spelt differently. DD is due to start full time education in September and there will be 2 other girls with the same name so 3 in the class including DD. Now there's another in other DC's class.Totally hacked off and really upset by this. Maybe an over reaction but in the 1970's I was one of 5 named the same in my class and vowed never to have my DC's live with the same. Now history is being repeated.AIBU to change my DD's name before September? I love her name but HATE it's so common now."
Her Reasoning
Chesternut wanted to change her daughter's name because when she was born, she thought it would be unique.
However, when her daughter started school, this wasn't the case, and she was one of three girls with the same name.
What's The Issue?
For Chesternut, she grew up sharing her name with four other girls, and she hated it and was scarred by it; in fact, she changed her own name.
She was hoping her daughter wouldn't have to deal with that problem, and that's why she gave her such a unique name.
"DD's name is Esmée and I've lived through this. I can remember my whole junior/secondary school time being coloured by the fact that so many of us had the same name. I changed it as soon as I could because of that reason. Every time I hear my real name I shudder."
Is She Being Unreasonable?
Many parents commented on her post, saying she was being very unreasonable. Her daughter is 4 now, so she's used to her name.
It would be confusing to change it so suddenly just because there are other classmates with the same name.
"Are you crazy! She's 4! You can't change her name. Your DD won't mind being one of 3. She is her name now, it belongs to her."
"Fair enough if you were bothered by having the same name as others in your class, but I don't think most people would be so bothered that they'd actually change their names. In my class, every other girls was called Jennifer. As far as I know, they all still are."
"I don't think it's up to you, surely it's up to your daughter, it's her name now, not yours! She might not care that she shares her name in the same way that you did."
Parenting Blogger Samantha Scroggin
"Walking Outside In Slippers" blogger Samantha Scroggin shares her thoughts on the topic.
"Naming a child should be a carefully considered process before or at least shortly after a child is born."
Choose Unique Names Immediately
She continues by saying,
"If you want a unique name for your kid, choose one right out of the gate. But on the flip side, I think too goofy of names don't serve kids well either."
Kids Know Their Names
Samantha says, "They've already come to identify with the name and maybe even learned to write and spell it."
The only time Samantha would see it acceptable to change a name would be because of a divorce. Not because a name is too popular.
