Kids changing names

sucrets4 · February 2010

A 6th grade student came up to me today and said that he's thinking about changing his first name since he doesn't really like it.

Um, really?

I asked him what his mom thought and apparently she's fine with it, or that's what he said. I know that 12 year olds lose a lot in translation.

1. Did this ever cross your mind when you were a kid?
2. Why on earth would a parent even entertain this idea????

(btw, I'm stuck at work until 8pm for parent/teacher conferences and trying to keep awake.)

ZRex · February 2010

Funny you should ask. When I was in sixth grade, I decided that I wanted to change my name to Moondance. Seriously. I actually got all of my friends and teachers to call me Moondance for about two months.

My parents took it as a personal affront. We're not talking eyeroll and whatever, we're talking full on "YOU ARE SHAMING OUR FAMILY HOW DARE YOU NOT LIKE THE NAME WE GAVE YOU."

Haha, guess I should have seen all this wedding drama coming, eh?

AlexiaANDRobert · February 2010

This reminds me of the episode of Full House when Stephanie wants to change her name cause kids are calling her Step On Me (or something like that).

I never wanted to change my name. Alexia is fairly unique. My parents got an A- in creativity, facebook told me so.

janedoe1113a · February 2010

I hate my name because it's so common and I would have loved to change it. Now that I'm older, I wouldn't actually do it, but it still sucks.

My mom would kill me if I ever changed my name. She said she named me so that there was no way that people could give me a nickname. Apparently she never thought people would call me Ash. It pisses her off every time someone shortens my name.

angiebear11 · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-changing-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:05761390-75d3-46e5-b6b2-510ea08bafe4Post:19e0c4a2-84a1-4ad7-9d0c-7b643a10d8a8">Re: Kids changing names</a>:
[QUOTE]Haha, when we were in 8th grade my friend Amy started spelling it "Aimee" on papers because she thought it was more exotic or mature or something.
Posted by kate51485[/QUOTE]

I actually know someone whose name is legally spelled that way. I was just talking about it with my FI the day. I always thought it was silly.

I used to want to change my name when I was little. My name really wasn't that popular and I always wanted a more common name. But I got over it probably around the age of 7.

L-Bride · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-changing-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:05761390-75d3-46e5-b6b2-510ea08bafe4Post:1881e37f-7542-45aa-8dd8-c6e0374e2933">Re: Kids changing names</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Kids changing names : Your name isn't Gladys or something, is it? No offense to the Gladyses of the world.
Posted by cocoreo3[/QUOTE

Oops, I forgot to write it. No, it's Lorraine...I've yet to meet a Lorraine under 75 yo but I'm bringin' it back!

ac_in_dc · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-changing-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:05761390-75d3-46e5-b6b2-510ea08bafe4Post:b2736ab1-680b-40f5-9062-0edbf25632c2">Re: Kids changing names</a>:
[QUOTE]I went from Katie to Kati when I was 12 so I can kind of relate. I don't think 12 year olds should legally change their names, but if they want to go by something other than their legal first name I don't think that's such a big deal.
Posted by Kati0105[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I agree with this. Although it never crossed my mind to change my name.

ggmae · February 2010

I wanted to as a kid because I hated my name, but my parents would have just ignored my requests.

SIL is Christina, but prefers to be called Christa. It's a phase she's been in for about 2 years. I refuse though (and so does N.) We have always known her as Christina and it'd be weird to call her something else.

bbyckes · February 2010

Navy, I picked my son's name, for various reasons, one of which was I thought it would be impossible for people to give him a nickname. Well, lo and behold... who knew people would call him, "Ice Cold" and that he'd embrace it? ha

laurenclaire1386 · February 2010

I actually know someone whose name is legally spelled that way. I was just talking about it with my FI the day. I always thought it was silly.

That's a really common way to spell Amy in south LA. I might be wrong on this, but I think it's actually a French or maybe Creole spelling. Either way, I don't bat an eye at Aimee.

BecW2be · February 2010

I wanted to change mine so badly when I was little. I wanted to be Rory. I still want to be Rory, but freakin Gilmore Girls killed it. I would have changed my name when I was 7 if I could.

My sister wanted to change hers even more, though. Her first name is WILMA. My parents are evil.

bbyckes · February 2010

It is French.

Also, before shortening someone's name - which I have a tendency to do - I always ask if it's okay. I never want to offend anyone.

Stackeye210 · February 2010

I know an Aimee - I also graduated with a Lorraine, I don't think that's a very old name........well maybe from way back, but I would look at Shirley or Vera as something old before I'd think Lorraine was old.

My name is a common name, spelled wrong. I wanted to change my name to Jessica in 4th grade so I could buy cool pencils and key chains with it.

laurenclaire1386 · February 2010

Yup, I looked it up. Aimee is French.

JessAndTrav · February 2010

I didn't like my name as a kid because there was always more than one Jessica in my class.

My mom never would have let me change it.

I love my name now.

ggmae · February 2010

I know an Amy, Aimee, Amie, and Ayme.

ggmae · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-changing-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:05761390-75d3-46e5-b6b2-510ea08bafe4Post:2d158ac5-aab9-4552-b172-1d1d5ebf50ee">Re: Kids changing names</a>:
[QUOTE]I know an Aimee - I also graduated with a Lorraine, I don't think that's a very old name........well maybe from way back, but I would think look at Shirley or Vera as something old before I'd think Lorraine was old. My name is a common name, spelled wrong. I wanted to change my name to Jessica in 4th grade so I could buy cool pencils and key chains with it. 
Posted by Stackeye210[/QUOTE]

My name has never been on any gift shop souvenirs. It sucked as a kid when everyone else would get cool pencils or keychains with their names on them. My mom had to special order mine one year for Christmas.

SarahPLiz · February 2010

I wanted to because there was another girl in town with the exact same name and she was a total bitch. But then my mom told me what they WERE going to name me, and I shut up.

My cousin is 14 and has been called Willie all his life. This year he went to HS and decided he wanted to be called Sam. It just sounds weird to me. His name is Samuel William, so he's not really changing his name, but I guess he got tired of all the genitalia-related willie jokes? who knows...

bbyckes · February 2010

I would have been named Penelope. I still think it kinda fits.

SarahPLiz · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-changing-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:05761390-75d3-46e5-b6b2-510ea08bafe4Post:e3fcec3c-fc49-4dc9-a895-525340ddc5d7">Re: Kids changing names</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes, when I was little. My name is Virginia and kids in fourth grade thought it was hilarious to ask if I was a virgin. Really? What would they have said if I said no. My parents would have nixed name changes. I love my name now but it was rough in grade school.
Posted by britne28[/QUOTE]
My little sister's name is Virginia. We called her Ginny (my aunt has the same name and nickname). However, her closest friends have called her Va Jay Jay since middle school. I guess she's ok with it..She asked us to stop calling her Ginny and to call her Virginia since high school, but she is still Ginny to me and the rest of the family. My neices and nephews have shortened it to Jin-ya

L-Bride · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-changing-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:05761390-75d3-46e5-b6b2-510ea08bafe4Post:2d158ac5-aab9-4552-b172-1d1d5ebf50ee">Re: Kids changing names</a>:
[QUOTE]I know an Aimee - I also graduated with a Lorraine, I don't think that's a very old name........well maybe from way back, but I would look at Shirley or Vera as something old before I'd think Lorraine was old.
Posted by Stackeye210[/QUOTE]

Really? I think it's really old ladyish. I think I was also annoyed because my mom always had to be "different". I was that kid who was organic and "go green" before it was popular which I hated. So, I never had normal food, normal tooth paste, or was allowed to use any type of soap that had chemicals etc.

I remember having sleep overs and my mom would tell us she was making pancakes in the morning and all my friends would get excited only to realize that they would be served buckwheat, whole-wheat germ yucky pancakes, lol! I dreamed of Bisqucik and Aunt Jemimah.

Far from a bad childhood but I always just wanted to blend.

TheSaltyPeanut · February 2010

I remember being the only "Bobbi" in school. When I was a little sprout, I remeber boys teasing me saying, "that's a boys name!" It was a cold world back then.

Celles · February 2010

My name -- first, middle and last -- was legally changed when I was adopted. I'm relieved. I much prefer being a Michelle to a Jannette! (Also: being named for a Beatles song is way cooler than being named for b-mom's annoying sisters, who I have met and hate.)

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-changing-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:05761390-75d3-46e5-b6b2-510ea08bafe4Post:845e311d-2b98-43ce-8e6a-9b0f7ce78772">Re: Kids changing names</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Kids changing names : My name has never been on any gift shop souvenirs. It sucked as a kid when everyone else would get cool pencils or keychains with their names on them. My mom had to special order mine one year for Christmas.
Posted by ggmae[/QUOTE]

I had a keychain made for myself with my name on it once. One of my classmates was also named Meredith and really wanted to know where I got it! My brother is named Matthew and I was also jealous of the personalized stuff he could get. But he doesn't like his name. Oh well.

I always wanted to be something more feminine, like Jessica or Jenny.

thesuninherhead · February 2010

When my H was 19 and in art school, he changed his name to 'Anko Painting' (anko was his signature on his works, standing for his real name. He also got called 'Anko' by many friends. Why he'd change his name to something that was derived from his real name, I have no clue!). Yeah. He legally changed it, but changed it back a few months later because he didn't want to upset his mother when she realised, and it was too hard to change over all of his paperwork... that, and I'm pretty sure that he and his 'artsy' friends had been smoking too much dope and when that wore off, he began to realise it was a ridiculous idea! haha.

As kids, though, I never cared one way or the other. That said, I think there's some situations where I could understand this if the name is rather out there (hello, Number 16 Bus Shelter), or in cases where the child is often called something different (like a middle name or something) and their first name isn't usually used.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-changing-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:05761390-75d3-46e5-b6b2-510ea08bafe4Post:903c1d27-8c8f-44b4-80bf-ee879e04c08a">Re: Kids changing names</a>:
[QUOTE]I would have been named Penelope. I still think it kinda fits.
Posted by bbyckes[/QUOTE]

My dad said he wanted to name me Penelope, but I think I would have made a terrible one. It is not me at all.

thesuninherhead · February 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-changing-names?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:05761390-75d3-46e5-b6b2-510ea08bafe4Post:1a8762dd-c930-4a9d-9048-cc29c629ebb3">Re: Kids changing names</a>:
[QUOTE]This reminds me of the episode of Full House when Stephanie wants to change her name cause kids are calling her Step On Me (or something like that)
Posted by AlexiaANDRobert[/QUOTE]
 You remind me: One of H's cousins was named Alex. When he went to grade 1, a few kids started calling him 'smart alex' (to explain in case you don't use the term in the states, smart aleck is similar to 'smart ass' and is an insult! haha). H's crazy Aunt decided to change his name (at age 6) to stop the teasing. She swapped his middle name with his first (and did so legally as well) and so this kid that had got to age 6 with the name alex was then renamed to his middle name despite never being called that before. Personally, I think the whole situation was completely crazy (what sort of message are you sending to your kids if you're willing to go and change their name at the first sign of teasing? seriously!), but this aunt isn't the most stable.

Nebb · February 2010

When I was 11 I wanted to change my name to either Stacey, Claudia or Kristy. If anyone can guess why, they get a cookie.

kate51485 · February 2010

Um duh Nebb, BSC!

And not the bat shiit kind

Nebb · February 2010

Bingo!! Cookie for kate!

smokeybailey · February 2010

I wanted to change the spelling of my name and my mother asked me why nothing, including my name, was ever good enough for me. "I just can't do anything right."

Come down off your cross, mom.

I did try to create a cool nickname for myself because everyone called my sister Nisey. I wanted to be called something cool too but nothing ever stuck and I hated Red. I finally accepted Red into my heart and am cool with people calling me that.

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