I have a 3-week-old girl who I named [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Marie[/name_f], and I am feeling big regret, not having realized how popular this name was in the 1990s and 2000s. I thought I did my research before naming her, but now all I can think about when I hear or say her name is [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_u]Montana[/name_u] and the late 90s generation of girls who all share this name. And to have combined it with [name_f]Marie[/name_f] feels so common to me. I don’t know why I gave this baby girl such a common name. Does anyone have anything good or uplifting to say about this name combination? Did I choose a great name for my girl–something classic? Or does this name indeed feel dated to Generation Z.
If you were me, would you legally change the name or learn to love it? Help please!
I think [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] is a sweet name, and you did choose a great name for your girl - that’s why lots of other people have chosen it, too. I think the only thing, to me personally, that makes this name feel dated is the combo of [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Marie[/name_f], because [name_f]Marie[/name_f] has a connotation as being a “filler name.” I never would’ve thought of [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_u]Montana[/name_u] if you didn’t mention her. Would changing her middle name make you feel better about the combo? [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] is beautiful name and 100% worth using (but only if you love it.) Is there a name that you feel fits your daughter better?
I agree that [name_f]Marie[/name_f] seems like a filler and feels dated. I used it because I like how it flows and was my sister’s middle name and my great-grandmother’s first name. But it is the middle name of so many others too. I can’t think of what I would change her middle name to.
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] is so stunning! And [name_f]Marie[/name_f] is less common now as a mn than it was when we were growing up in the 90s. I had naming regret with both of mine initially, but I think it was because I am a name nerd and over thought it! [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Marie[/name_f] is lovely and you picked a classic name for her!
I’m not sure if your religious and if you aren’t you’d be willing to own it but [name_f]Havilah[/name_f] pronounced ha-vee-la is similar but is more distinct. [name_f]Anneliese[/name_f] would also be a good alternative.
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] is a good classic, very deep historical roots. I don’t think of [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_u]Montana[/name_u] at all because it’s such a well-known name without that association.
[name_f]Marie[/name_f] kind of brings it down, I do think that if you choose to change things then maybe change the middle name. Find something unique or a name you would be too hesitant to put in first place and put it in the middle, that way if she grows up to want a more distinctive name she’ll have a unique middle to fall back on.
I agree with everyone that [name_f]Marie[/name_f] is a problem. If I am going to go through the hassle of legally changing her name, I feel like I might as well change both first and middle. But I have begun to know her as [name_f]Hannah[/name_f], and it makes it hard to change her name. I really am not liking [name_f]Marie[/name_f]. I just don’t know what I’d change it to. I like names that flow well. [name_f]Marie[/name_f] feels like such a cheap middle name to use. I wish I’d thought this out better before she was born–I feel pigeonholed now.
Since [name_f]Marie[/name_f] has significance to you, maybe use a variation of it as a middle instead of the name itself? Or add a second middle/hypenate [name_f]Marie[/name_f] with something? Variations or similar to [name_f]Marie[/name_f]: [name_f]Mary[/name_f], [name_f]Marietta[/name_f], [name_f]Mariella[/name_f], [name_f]Marielle[/name_f], [name_f]Mariposa[/name_f], Maristela, [name_f]Maria[/name_f], [name_f]Mariana[/name_f], [name_f]Marianne[/name_f], [name_f]Marlena[/name_f]/[name_f]Marlene[/name_f]/[name_u]Marlowe[/name_u], [name_f]Mara[/name_f], [name_f]Margot[/name_f], [name_f]Manon[/name_f], [name_f]Mariel[/name_f], [name_f]Muriel[/name_f], [name_f]Maura[/name_f], [name_f]Maureen[/name_f], [name_f]Meryl[/name_f], [name_f]Mare[/name_f], [name_u]Mars[/name_u], [name_f]Maridel[/name_f], [name_f]Marlo[/name_f], [name_f]Marilyn[/name_f], [name_u]Marian[/name_u]/[name_u]Marion[/name_u], [name_f]Marin[/name_f]/[name_f]Maren[/name_f], [name_f]Mamie[/name_f], [name_f]Polly[/name_f], [name_f]Molly[/name_f], [name_f]Minette[/name_f], [name_f]Minnie[/name_f], [name_f]Manette[/name_f], [name_f]Manet[/name_f], [name_f]May[/name_f]/[name_f]Mae[/name_f], [name_f]Marilla[/name_f]. I don’t know if you’re religious, but maybe using [name_f]Virginia[/name_f] or a Catholic name/honorific/I don’t know what they’re called that represent the Virgin [name_f]Mary[/name_f] (like [name_f]Socorro[/name_f], [name_f]Lourdes[/name_f]…there’s lots of interesting and unusual ones.)
I have had name regret with all three of my kids. A few weeks after having them I always go off the name I choose. I blame the hormones! I always get over it and end up loving the name just like I did when I was pregnant.
That is such a relief to hear. I’m hoping I can get over this and love the name. It feels so dated and 90s to me, and I wanted to see other people’s opinions, if it feels dated to them too–or does it feel classic and maybe I’m just having some crazy hormonal problems. I haven’t stopped thinking about her name for days now and just call her baby. It feels horrible.
I love love love [name_f]Hannah[/name_f]! I find it more classic than dated mainly because of the religious connotation. As for [name_f]Marie[/name_f]… whilst yes I do have to agree it does sound like a bit of a filler name, it has significance so I would keep it. It’s not just a random name and I think it makes it special. If you do want to change it, I would consider keeping one name or the other:
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Olivia[/name_f]
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Maria[/name_f] (connections to [name_f]Marie[/name_f])
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Marina[/name_f] (same as above)
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Joy[/name_f] (my sisters name :). [name_u]Love[/name_u] it! Sometimes wish it was mine!)
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Madeline[/name_f]
However at the end of the day, I would stay with [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Marie[/name_f]. I think it’s a gorgeous name and has meaning to you. And at the end of the day, the way I see it is that you and your husband chose [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Marie[/name_f] for a reason. When she was born calling her [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Marie[/name_f] felt right. Maybe it doesn’t now and maybe that’s a sign you’ve made the wrong decision however I think it’s perfect :).
As for [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_u]Montana[/name_u]… my sister [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] gets called [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_u]Montana[/name_u] sometimes as a nickname. However she’s often called “Han” at home. I think it’s cute but you might disagree. What about [name_f]Annie[/name_f] as another option?
Good luck and I hope you either feel at peace with [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Marie[/name_f] or you find a name that you love and are 100% sure about xx
Thank you, I appreciate all of your thoughts. It’s so helpful to hear everyone’s opinions. I like the idea of calling her [name_f]Annie[/name_f] as a nickname. I sort of wish I’d named her [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]–it feels fresher to me, but I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle of going through court to change just her middle name. It’s definitely an option I’m considering though!
I like [name_f]Hannah[/name_f]. I tend to think of it as a classic name that just happened to trend in the 2000’s. I can’t see it ever really going out of style. I’d be inclined to keep it (and the middle name [name_f]Marie[/name_f]) and just use a less common nickname for fun. I believe that [name_f]Anne[/name_f], [name_f]Anna[/name_f], and [name_f]Annie[/name_f] all chart lower than [name_f]Hannah[/name_f], and they have the same meaning and sound. They’d be easy alternatives.
I think it’s a beautiful name! I’m not sure what all the negativity about [name_f]Marie[/name_f] is about. It’s a lovely, classic name. It flows nice with the last name. I don’t see any reason to change anything.
I definitely don’t think of [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] [name_u]Montana[/name_u] at all and neither will your little girl’s peers.
Also, just FYI, my husband and I both ended up doing legal name changes to make our names the way we wanted after getting married. It was definitely a bit of a hassle and quite expensive.
I have an ancestor [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] usually called [name_f]Annie[/name_f] - I think it’s a really good option - you get to use both names without making a formal change or needing to make any announcements. I really like [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] and see it more as a classic that became very popular a little while back. [name_f]Marie[/name_f] has significance to you and is not so common a middle name as [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and [name_f]Rose[/name_f]. I find [name_f]Louise[/name_f] a bit bland (and expected) as a middle so not a real fix there in my mind. Though of course if you see that as a better option it is fine to change.
Could you try out nn [name_f]Annie[/name_f] for a while and see if you like it with [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] as the formal name. Or if you don’t grow in love for [name_f]Hannah[/name_f] you could change it to a different name for which [name_f]Annie[/name_f] could be a nn (there are many of these), or just make [name_f]Annie[/name_f] the formal name.
eta there is nothing wrong with changing her name though if you don’t fall in love with Hannah - better to do it. Maybe something like Anthea Maryse or Anneleise Marina nn Annie?
[name_f]Hannah[/name_f] is a fabulous, classic name that is not just about the 90s. [name_f]Marie[/name_f] is a name from your family that is due for a comeback. You’ve given your daughter a lovely, meaningful name that will carry her through life well. If you want to try out some nicknames, then go for it! Ultimately your daughter will love the flexibility and timelessness of her name.