So after 5 1/2 weeks of going around in circles and asking for advice we finally registered our babies name. The only two names we agreed on where [name_m]Zac[/name_m] and [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m]. We chose [name_m]Zac[/name_m] as my SO liked it slightly more and I was 50/50!
After we left the office I had a big panic that this wasn’t the right name, our first son [name_u]Teddy[/name_u] goes by the name Ted a lot so he has a playful but old guy name too. Is [name_m]Zac[/name_m] dated and univentive? It feels almost like we’d clutched at straws trying to find a name we could agree on (my SO still likes it). I wanted [name_u]Jesse[/name_u], [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m], [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] or [name_u]Rex[/name_u] and he wanted [name_u]Noah[/name_u].
I was so excited to tell everyone Teddys name whereas this one I realised I followed it up with it’s the only name we can agree on…I know we can change the name but what would we even change it too? We’ve taken so long to just agree on [name_m]Zac[/name_m].
Is it really that bad or is it just cause he didn’t have a name for so long I was hoping we’d agree on a name that we’d both love, that probably would never happen because of our tastes? I’m never going to have one of my favourites as SO doesn’t like them so do I just have to accept the compromise?
Would nothing feel right now as he’s been baby so long? [name_m]Will[/name_m] I grow to love it?
Has anyone been in this situation to give me advice?
Not sure where you are at, but in the US the rules for changing names are state dependent, but I believe that a lot of states will give you up to 12 months to change the name without a court order if you decide you don’t like it. I imagine it would be similar in the UK as well.
I don’t think that [name_m]Zac[/name_m] is uninventive or a bad name, but if you decide that it just doesn’t fit then you will most likely have time to change it without a major hassle.
Congratulations on baby [name_m]Zac[/name_m]. I love the name and I think the three-letter spelling gives it a fresh feel.
I think that you will grow to love the name as it becomes more associated with your son. I would purosely prooclaim the name proudly even if you are feelling a bit unsure. The more confident you become in saying it, the easier it will be to learn to love it.
I haven’t immediately loved all of my grandchildren’s names. (I haven’t admitted that to their parents.) Yet, all the names have grown on me and I wouldn’t change them if I could.
Anyway, I think that if you always say “It’s the only name we can agree on,” you won’t have the opportunity to love it.
I still think that you don’t have to give up on a name that you really love. [name_u]Sonny[/name_u] can be used for any son. I have heard it used on young and old. Using this nickname will make you feel better and he will be the "sun"shine in your life.
If you don’t feel better about the name and nickname in a couple of months, then certainly change it. If you really dislike using [name_m]Zac[/name_m] in two months, revisit changing it. (Please don’t wait until [name_m]Zac[/name_m] is two to make a change, though.)
Perhaps you are feeling off about this name because there are just so many choices today. There have always been choices, but we don’t live in a time where so many boys’ have the same ten names. There is more pressure to be unique ~ but not too unique. Finding the correct baby name is a challenge ~ for sure.
Instead of feeling like you aren’t connected to [name_m]Zac[/name_m]'s name, remind yourself just how fortune you were to find “the one” the first time.
Try not to think too much about names for a few weeks. You deserve a break and the chance to know your son without too many opinions getting in the way. Things will be fine. What wil be, will be.