Yes! This has happened to me. A couple of times. For the longest time, my favorite names were [name_f]Lily[/name_f] and [name_u]Noah[/name_u]. I just loved them so much. I was even really concerned because my cousin’s favorite name was [name_f]Lily[/name_f], as well, and he ended up having a little girl earlier this year. For awhile I was concerned he would name her [name_f]Lily[/name_f]. He named her [name_u]Quinn[/name_u]. A name I never thought of before, but now I love so incredibly much and wish I could use it myself lol. Now, I realize [name_u]Noah[/name_u] is incredibly popular and [name_f]Lily[/name_f] just doesn’t click for me anymore. It’s sweet, but probably a name I won’t ever use.
Then my favorite movie came out, [name_m]Little[/name_m] Miss [name_f]Sunshine[/name_f], and [name_f]Olive[/name_f] became a possibility. Before I knew it, I adored [name_f]Olive[/name_f]. My husband wasn’t fond of the name, but I convinced myself that I would make him fall in love lol. It still very well could be a name I choose for my future daughter (if I were to have a daughter). [name_m]Miles[/name_m]/[name_m]Milo[/name_m] was my favorite boys name. My husband even agreed he liked the name [name_m]Miles[/name_m] or [name_m]Milo[/name_m].
But here I am, with two new favorites - [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] and [name_m]Samson[/name_m]. Now, I’m 95% sure these will be our children’s names. But who knows. Over the years, I just think my taste in names have changed. It actually concerns me a little because I worry once I have a child, years later, I’ll wish I named them something different. But I’ve been told that rarely happens and that your child just becomes the perfect little “[name_f]Lucy[/name_f]” or whatever you decide to name them and you simply couldn’t picture them with another name.
I think [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] is a classic and beautiful name, but it’s understandable that you’re older self has a different taste than your 12 year old self. I’m sure something will click with you when finding a new “favorite.”
I always seem to have a couple favorites that stay at the top for a year or so, but my top 10 changes frequently. Discover new names and let them sit on your favorites list for awhile until one just really stands out.
For me, a deeper meaning really helps. For example, I love the name [name_f]Lucy[/name_f]. It honors my mom because my mom’s favorite TV show is “I [name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_f]Lucy[/name_f].” I also love [name_f]Lucille[/name_f] Ball and think she is a great role model for girls. I also love that [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] means light. I’m a photographer so I feel connected to it’s meaning. Plus I just like the name. It’s classic, short and sweet.
As for [name_m]Samson[/name_m], my husband has always told me he likes the name [name_m]Samuel[/name_m]. I’m not the biggest fan, but I do like the beginning “[name_u]Sam[/name_u].” So I explored other options and found [name_m]Samson[/name_m]. I like that my husband and I kind of came up with this one together. Makes it feel more special. [name_m]Samson[/name_m] also means sun. Soooo, when I think of [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] (light) and [name_m]Samson[/name_m] (sun) as siblings, I just find it adorable.
Sorry for the rant. 