Choosing a baby name can indeed be quite a challenge.
Expectant parents have a myriad of things to consider, and deciding on the perfect name for their forthcoming child is certainly not the least of them. While some have a favoured name in mind long before the birth, others find themselves at a loss for the right choice until they meet their new arrival face-to-face.
The task of selecting a name their child will carry into adulthood can be overwhelming, and doubts about the decision can lead to what’s known as ‘name regret’ later on. This is the situation one mother finds herself in just two months after giving birth to her daughter.
Sharing her dilemma on Reddit, she revealed that she named her baby Leona because it struck her as “strong and elegant”. However, as time passes, she’s increasingly unsure about the name.
She wrote: “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 could 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 that 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.”