This is my first post on nameberry. I have girl/boy twins 14 months old named [name_f]Mae[/name_f] and [name_u]Kai[/name_u]. Since they were born I’ve been having name regret for my daughter. I feel like I short changed her by giving her a nn as a first name. [name_f]Mae[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_u]Winter[/name_u] is her name ([name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and [name_u]Winter[/name_u]) are her two middle names. Her names were a tribute to names on my husband’s family (mother, aunt and sister). I can’t shake that I missed giving her a more unique name. [name_f]My[/name_f] original name was [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f]. It’s a name thats near and dear to my heart for deeply personal reasons, both for me and mine and my husband’s relationship. I’m considering formalizing her name from [name_f]Mae[/name_f] to [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f], keeping [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and removing [name_u]Winter[/name_u]. I’m wondering if [name_f]Mae[/name_f] works as a nn for [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f]. This way, she would have a more formal, substantial name and have the option of using it when she’s older. I realize this is unorthodox, and to some, maybe a bit crazy.
If it’s really bothering you and you want to change it then best to change it sooner rather than later. Since she will still be using the nn “[name_f]Mae[/name_f]” it shouldn’t be confusing for her and doesn’t really hurt to change it. I think even the longer [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_u]Winter[/name_u] sounds beautiful.
I will say though that I think [name_f]Mae[/name_f] and [name_u]Kai[/name_u] go together better as a twinset than [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] and [name_u]Kai[/name_u]. But that’s just my opinion and maybe doesn’t matter too much since eventually they will have their own lives and not be introduced together all the time. [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] and [name_u]Kai[/name_u] do have a subtle nature theme going for them too so that’s actually nice now that I think about it 
If you can’t shake the feeling of name regret I would just go for it. Either way she has a beautiful name! 
Actually I really have always loved the idea of [name_f]Mae[/name_f] as a nickname, for [name_f]Maelle[/name_f], [name_f]Marcella[/name_f], Maebry, [name_f]Madeleine[/name_f], [name_f]Marigold[/name_f], whatever…and I love [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] as a full/formal name for [name_f]Mae[/name_f]!! I also just wanna say that, though I think it’s a wonderful idea to change her name to [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f], if you were worried about [name_f]Mae[/name_f] not being a full name she wants when she’s older, always remember she can go by [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] or [name_u]Winter[/name_u] also.
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] I helped. [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] and [name_u]Kai[/name_u] actually sound wonderful together!
Thank you! Really appreciate your feedback
Thank you! Appreciate your sharing your thoughts!
I would say go ahead and change it if you’ve had regret for this long. [name_f]Mae[/name_f] makes an excellent nn for [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f]. More than likely, you’ll be introducing her as [name_f]Mae[/name_f] if you’re using her nn regularly. [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] and [name_u]Kai[/name_u] are both nature names, so it makes for a great set – although I’m of the belief that twins do not have to have matchy-matchy names (so my opinion may be a bit bias).
[name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_f]Mae[/name_f] is substantial as a stand-alone name? That’s part of what I’m struggling with…I just don’t think it is and am kicking myself for not changing it sooner. We would still call her [name_f]Mae[/name_f].
I also have a 2.5 year old son named [name_m]Leo[/name_m]. He’s really the only one who’d have to adjust.
I know a [name_f]Mae[/name_f] whose name is a stand-alone and I think it works very well. I also know a
[name_f]Mae[/name_f]-mae, i don’t know if that’s her actual name but that’s what she’s been called since kindergarten.
[name_f]Mae[/name_f] totally works as a full name but i think [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Mae[/name_f] could work - so long as you keep [name_f]Mae[/name_f] so it’s not too disruptive to her
If you’re regretting it, definitely change it. As others say, if you’re keeping the nn [name_f]Mae[/name_f] it won’t be disruptive for her as she hasn’t started writing her name yet- and I doubt she even knows her middle names at this stage either
I like [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_u]Winter[/name_u] so long as you don’t have a surname longer than 2 or 3 syllables.
I say change it! She is too young, so I dont think you will have any issues. [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] nn [name_f]Mae[/name_f] totally works imo.
Good luck!
[name_f]Welcome[/name_f] to Nameberry, @mcolleen31 !
I personally love [name_f]Mae[/name_f] as a stand-alone name; it was our top choice if our son had been a girl.
However, 14 months is a long time to be thinking about this, and if your husband agrees, I think putting [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] on the birth certificate is a great way to give her options in the future.
I don’t see any reason to drop [name_u]Winter[/name_u], though; I like it there. [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] ([name_f]Mae[/name_f]) [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_u]Winter[/name_u] sounds lovely.
I also personally like [name_f]Madeleine[/name_f] nickname [name_f]Mae[/name_f].
While I think [name_f]Mae[/name_f] can work just fine as a stand alone, I also think it’s best that you change it to [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f]. You said [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] is the name near and dear to your heart for deeply personal reasons. That alone should be enough of a reason for a baby name change. There will be zero confusion as she’s too young too remember and this way you won’t have to deal with the regret.
[name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] is a beautiful name.
[name_f]Mae[/name_f] definitely would work as a nn to [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] imo! [name_f]My[/name_f] name is [name_f]Megan[/name_f], but my family sometimes calls me [name_f]May[/name_f]!
I think [name_f]Mae[/name_f] works fine as a full name, but if [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] is calling to you, then by all means answer it. I like [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] [name_u]Winter[/name_u]. If you’re worried it’s too long (I wouldn’t), then maybe consider another form of [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f], like [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] [name_f]Elise[/name_f] [name_u]Winter[/name_u] or [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] [name_f]Elspeth[/name_f] Winterm
It’s not crazy at all, only a tad unusual 
I actually think 14 months in the grand scheme of things is not a long time, as in when she’s older it will be hardly a big deal at all that her legal name was changed as a 1 year old. However most baby name regret posts haven’t lasted longer than a few months, so I think if it’s still bugging you, you should absolutely go for it. If anything it can make for an interesting little factoid for her later in life! We only get to choose lifelong names for a handful of babies if we’re lucky- might as well love the names you bestow!!
As long as your husband is on board, I would do it. [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] is easily shortened to [name_f]Mae[/name_f]. You can keep calling her [name_f]Mae[/name_f] - otherwise, she will likely be confused. Many people on Nameberry spend a lot of time worrying about middle names, but honestly, middle names are rarely used (or known) and changing her middle names will be a nonissue (most people will never even know). She isn’t yet in school, and so changing her formal name before she goes into preschool or school will make your life easier.
I 100% think you should do it! I think if you don’t do it now (before more time passes) you might regret it forever. Since you will still be calling her [name_f]Mae[/name_f] most people just might assume that [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] was her full name all along and they just didn’t know it! I say do it, no regrets!
You are actually in the perfect situation to change her name!
Since [name_f]Mae[/name_f] could totally be a nickname for [name_f]Magnolia[/name_f] (one of my favorite names!), you could seamlessly change it, and it would barely make any difference at all- she’d likely still be answering to [name_f]Mae[/name_f] anyway!
You could remove or keep [name_u]Winter[/name_u]… I happen to think it’s really sweet.
I’m not a fan of name changing, but in your case, it seems just right.
Good luck!