Shortly before we started TTC our second baby(due in [name]August[/name]) we began talking about names again and came up with new lists. We ended up deciding on [name]Claire[/name] for the girl choice and that was about well before I got pregnant. Like maybe 7 months before? We had a list of 6 girl names and hubby and I put them in order (separately) 1 being favorite 6 being least favorite. We both had [name]Claire[/name] as #3 so we bumped it to #1 and decided we liked it a lot. Well fast forward to now(I’m about 18 weeks along, finding out gender in 2 1/2 weeks) and am feeling iffy on [name]Claire[/name] just a tiny bit. I am not sure if it has to do with that fact we had it decided on for so long so it doesn’t feel fresh? Or maybe because I have a cousin who used it recently(I never see or talk to her and we live very far away) I know I could still use it if it is THE [name]ONE[/name]. Which I have thought up until recently.
I guess I’m just wondering if anyone is in or has been in this situation? Did you pick a new name? Not worry about it until birth? Did you just stop thinking about it for a while so it felt fresh again? I’m not sure how to sort out my feelings. As far as I know, my DH still wants it. And there aren’t any other names I love that I would rather use, I don’t think. I really like [name]Sophia[/name] and [name]Kate[/name] and planned on [name]Sophia[/name] [name]Kate[/name] for a second girl if we ever had one. I’m just confused! Any help appreciated! :Thanks!
Thought I’d add that we decided on [name]Avery[/name] for the boy and I still feel super set on that and no doubts at all.
Names get completely rejuvenated for me when I hear them on an actual baby. Maybe [name]Claire[/name] is getting stale because you don’t have anyone to attach it to (that you can see anyway). Would changing it up to [name]Clara[/name] breathe new life into it? For what it’s worth, I think [name]Claire[/name] is beautiful. It’s my aunt’s name and I always thought it was so incredibly timeless and elegant.
I always had that little doubt fairy on my shoulder with my son’s name. My number one was [name]Dashiell[/name], then [name]Asher[/name]. We agreed to [name]Asher[/name] then changed it to [name]Jude[/name] after reactions from parents. Until he was born, [name]Asher[/name] was always in my back pocket. If I saw him and knew he wasn’t a [name]Jude[/name], I wouldn’t hesitate to name him [name]Asher[/name]. But, funny enough, he is so not how I would picture an [name]Asher[/name] (artistic, sensitive, slim). He is a [name]Jude[/name] (a rough and tumble boy with a bit of sensitivity). Point here being that you don’t have to be solid on a name until the baby is here. You can still hold [name]Claire[/name] as your first choice, but there’s nothing wrong with having other names ready and waiting. If this little one is a girl and she gets here and looks/seems like a [name]Sophia[/name] instead of [name]Claire[/name], then that’s what you should name her!
Either way, both names are beautiful :). You can’t go wrong, I don’t think. But you don’t have to be 100%. I think you’ll know for sure once the baby is here. [name]Hope[/name] that helps a little.
Ahh pregnancy brain … I remember it well and it makes you question everything! I went through the same thing when I was pregnant with my son. DH and I had decided on [name]Bram[/name] [name]Alexander[/name] as soon as we knew we were having a boy. As my due date got closer though, I started to question our name choice and freak out that we had no alternatives. [name]Long[/name] story short, DS is [name]Bram[/name] [name]Alexander[/name] and is turning one in a couple weeks. I couldn’t be happier with our name choice, but I did question it leading up to the birth. I think it is perfectly normal to have anxiety about choosing a name. I will say that there is a reason why you have loved [name]Claire[/name] all of these months. I would suggest taking a step back and see how you feel after that. Maybe you will decide that you prefer a different name or maybe a variation of [name]Claire[/name] ([name]Clara[/name] is lovely [name]IMO[/name]). Or in the end, you could feel like [name]Claire[/name] is still the one. Good luck!
My husband is a genealogist in his spare time and he dug up the name [name]Claris[/name] in a ship record. I thought that was quite pretty. I think the main thing to decide is whether you lost interest when a cousin used it (even if they are distant) or whether the length of time you’ve been thinking about “[name]Claire[/name]” has drained it of some of it’s original magic. If it’s the latter, I think seeing your baby for the first time and calling her [name]Claire[/name] will help you to love it again. If it’s knowing another [name]Claire[/name] that’s the issue then changing the name slightly or altogether is an option still.
Why don’t you give your mind a rest? You have plenty of time (months!) to decide on a name. You don’t NEED a name until the baby is actually born. The name is only official once you decide it is.
Can you still change it? Sure!
[name]Do[/name] you have to? No!
Can you wait on it and revisit it in a few months? Of course!
[name]How[/name] about sitting back, having some chocolate or a bowl of chunky soup (or both!), a nice foot massage, and think about something else? You sound too stressed out about this.
Good luck!!
I am currently in a similar situation. For us, we have had the name [name]Hope[/name] picked out as the name of our second daughter for 13 years. But now that it is time to actually apply the name to a real life baby girl, I am having major doubts. Unfortunately, dh is pretty tied to it by now. But I am trying to come up with alternatives that I like more. So I guess I would say that I am thinking about changing it, but won’t necessarily do so. I think, for me, it comes from LOVING my first daughter’s name so so much, and I just don’t feel the same passion for [name]Hope[/name].
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions everyone! I’m still feeling iffy about it but have been trying not to think about it too much. We have one week left until the ultrasound and if it is another boy i"ll have been stressing for nothing so I am trying not to think about it too hard until we find out IF there’s a girl in there! 
I see my cousin posting pictures and comments on her little girl [name]Claire[/name] on facebook so maybe since I’m seeing it more and commented on by family that is what is bothering me… I’ve asked several people if I should forget it because she used it and no one seems to think so since we are so far away and never talk or see each other and to be honest, we probably won’t see each other much at all. Anyhow, just wanted to thank and update the thread and I’m sure you will be seeing another post from me about it again.