Hello all, this post is regarding my own name so thought it best in this section.
I am 26 years old and was born with the given name ‘[name_f]Helen[/name_f] [name_f]Odette[/name_f]’ ([name_f]Odette[/name_f] being my grandma’s name). Growing up I had a hideous time being bullied by another ‘[name_f]Helen[/name_f]’ and, as I never ever liked the name at all anyway (frumpy and old) I switched them round in 2010, so my name since has been ‘[name_f]Odette[/name_f] [name_f]Helen[/name_f]’.
Since then I have been trying to come up with an alternative to the ‘[name_f]Helen[/name_f]’ in the middle, HOWEVER, a year ago I left university and came to a new town near where my family live. Everyone at university pronounced my name ‘O-dette’ ( i.e. in full) but since moving to this new place everyone in my family and my job (or regular customers) call me simply ‘dett’ (which just sounds like ‘debt’), [name_f]Adele[/name_f]/adette (i.e. get it wrong), or worst of all, my mother and younger sister have given me the following hideous nicknames: ‘dettol’ (a VERY POPULAR brand of antiseptic here in UK) or ‘detox’!!! :’(
So now I’m thinking of moving [name_f]Odette[/name_f] back to the middle (where I can lose the nn’s and the ‘o’ will always be pronounced). Thing is then I’m back to square one and need something brand new as a first… erm, HELP??
My surname is ‘Belsey’ - another name I dislike, but too complicated to alter, even though I’m seriously tempted.
I have always loved the name ‘[name_f]Charlotte[/name_f]’ but may be too rhymey with ‘[name_f]Odette[/name_f]’.
I like classic/elegant/classy/magical sounding names (which is why I loved [name_f]Odette[/name_f] (dammit!) and wish to keep it in middle)
Otherwise any suggestions welcome at all. [name_m]Even[/name_m] extra middles if necessary for flow.
Have you asked people to call you something specific that you like, as opposed to terrible nicknames that you hate? Because honestly if they’re finding these awful nicknames for [name_f]Odette[/name_f]…they’ll find awful nicknames for any other name you choose And since you do love [name_f]Odette[/name_f], I wouldn’t change it (again) until you have a chat with people and let them know what you’d like to be called. You’ve already changed your name once, don’t jump into doing it again just because people are too lazy to say [name_f]Odette[/name_f]. Maybe if you correct them (sternly!) you’ll get your beloved name back. [name_m]Just[/name_m] let them know that your name is [name_f]Odette[/name_f] and that’s what you’d like to be called. Because I’d hate for you to change your name to [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] or [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] and they give you another atrocious name like “chuck” or “mealy” or something.
[name_f]Odette[/name_f] is gorgeous! And far more rare, which adds an element of specialty.
Maybe suggest other nicknames if someone insists on using one. Like [name_m]Odie[/name_m], Detta, [name_f]Etta[/name_f], [name_f]Ettie[/name_f], [name_f]Dee[/name_f].
I think every name has its own set of difficulties. You could change your name 50 times and find something “wrong” with each option, I think.
Speaking as someone who’s changed their name, I don’t think you necessarily need to love the name you choose for yourself. Yes, you should like it, but above all, it should feel like it’s your name (not necessarily a name you want to use for a future child).
I agree with tarynamber and [name_f]Laurel[/name_f], you should ask those calling you nicknames to knock it off before you choose another name. I mean, if you don’t tell them “Hey, quit calling me unappealing nicknames” now, they’ll find something similarly annoying when you change your name to something else.
I think [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] [name_f]Odette[/name_f] sounds nice! It looks redundant, but it sounds pretty. I love [name_f]Adele[/name_f], too (this is my aunt’s name).
Are you open to [name_f]Helena[/name_f], [name_f]Elena[/name_f], or [name_f]Eleni[/name_f], instead of [name_f]Helen[/name_f]?
[name_f]Eleni[/name_f] [name_f]Odette[/name_f] is fanastic, in my eyes!
I find it really hard to suggest names for people when they’re changing their name… and pointless, almost. Choosing a name is such a personal thing, and when you’re naming a baby, this person hasn’t had any life experience yet. You, as an adult, have had a lot of life experience, and you’re the only one who’ll know what feels right to your soul Go with your heart.
thank you all for your advice is is VERY helpful. I should not resign my old name just because of others, and any choice can only be my own because only I know myself (unlike a baby). Either way I will keep [name_f]Odette[/name_f], either at front or middle and just replace the redundant ‘[name_f]Helen[/name_f]’… it is the only name i have I really dislike.
And since you do love [name_f]Odette[/name_f], I wouldn’t change it (again) until you have a chat with people and let them know what you’d like to be called. You’ve already changed your name once, don’t jump into doing it again just because people are too lazy to say [name_f]Odette[/name_f]. Maybe if you correct them (sternly!) you’ll get your beloved name back. [name_m]Just[/name_m] let them know that your name is [name_f]Odette[/name_f] and that’s what you’d like to be called. Because I’d hate for you to change your name to [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f] or [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] and they give you another atrocious name like “chuck” or “mealy” or something.
Go with your heart.