As much as I love [name_f]Etta[/name_f], I’m not going to tell you to keep it nor do I consider it ‘too late’ to change (I hate when people do that in these types of threads)
If you aren’t comfortable with [name_f]Etta[/name_f], I agree with the suggestions of giving a longer name with the ‘ette’ sound. When I told my mom about [name_f]Etta[/name_f] she felt it was incomplete. Instead she suggested names like [name_f]Violet[/name_f], [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], [name_f]Laetitia[/name_f], or [name_f]Yvette[/name_f] with the nn [name_f]Etta[/name_f].
I used to take care of kids preschoolers. The 3 and under crowd usually did not know their real names. For example, [name_f]Livy[/name_f] didn’t know that she was [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] and [name_m]Tommy[/name_m] didn’t know that he was [name_m]John[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. Lengthening [name_f]Etta[/name_f] would be the easiest transition; she doesn’t know if [name_f]Etta[/name_f] is her full name or just a nn.
Another option is keeping her name as is and calling her Maesy/[name_f]Maisie[/name_f] or [name_f]Em[/name_f] (as in her initials, E.M.)
I must say I think [name_f]Etta[/name_f] is adorable! I do empathize with you on baby name regret though. My daughter is 9 months old and I asked my husband when she was 5 months old if we could change her name but he refuses. I think you should do what you want. I say change it if you want. I like some of the suggestions of names that end in etta or leaving it her middle name or even second middle name just so it is some how apart of her name.
I symapthise with you! I have had serious name remorse and my daughter is now 2 1/2 and I am sill struggling! You should love your daughters name as you will be saying it many times a day and for many years! That being said I really love the name [name_f]Etta[/name_f] [name_f]Mae[/name_f] but you have to be comfortable with it and go with your instincts. I understand that she knows her name now so the idea of giving her a longer name which can be shortened to [name_f]Etta[/name_f] is perfect that way she has a choice when she is older. Also most people wouldn’t have to know that youve changed it as you can say oh her name is … But we call her [name_f]Etta[/name_f]. [name_u]Win[/name_u] win! As nat108 said there are so many little ones that go by their shortened name or nickname only to find out they have a longer name when they are old enough to comprehend. I wish I could lengthen my daughters name so she has a choice but I don’t have the options that you do. Good luck with whatever you decide!
This. My daughter is the same age as yours and I can’t even imagine changing her name at this point. It’s hers. If it helps, I think [name_f]Etta[/name_f] is a lovely name. But, if you really can’t learn to love it, then do as others suggested and choose a longer version of [name_f]Etta[/name_f] that you like more. I don’t think it’s right to change it completely at this point, she already knows she’s [name_f]Etta[/name_f].
If you’re going to do it you should probably go for [name_f]Henrietta[/name_f] or something with the -etta right in there so she can transition to the new choice. But if it’s other people’s approval that you need I doubt you will ever find a name that every single person raves over when they hear it. My daughter’s name has gotten some looks and plenty of mispronunciation as well. [name_f]May[/name_f] is a pretty neutral choice that I can’t see people reacting to poorly so maybe you should just call her by her middle?
As someone who suffered major name regret w/ my second (and still do), I would probably not change it at 15 months. I think [name_f]Etta[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f] is gorgeous! But I know how awful it feels when you don’t love your child’s name! I feel for you. I doubt she will hate her name though, it’s really pretty! She will probably love having a name that’s a bit different from everyone else. That said, it’s your decision and you have to do what’s right for you and your fam.
I went through this with my second child,i changed her name at 9 mos . We actually just call her by her Hebrew namer instead of her birth name but husband family thinks we legally changed it. So now, while the new name fits her and is pretty i often regret charging it because I feel like it was hers and would suit her so well. She is 3 now and i wish i had left it alone i think. If.no one would judge me id probably give it back. So there is a possibility you would regret changing it. I vote for giving her a longer name. [name_f]One[/name_f] i didn’t see listed is [name_m]Etienne[/name_m] . The new name wouldn’tneedto have etta at the end, but related would be nice.also thought if mention my daughter knows both her names and liked them both.she will answer to both.she isn’t confused by it.
[name_f]Etta[/name_f] is an absolutely fantastic name.
Where do you live that people are struggling with the pronunciation of [name_f]Etta[/name_f], by the way?? I can’t imagine any other possible pronunciation than the correct one.
I absolutely think that 15 months is too late to change a child’s name, but if you do, please go with something that contains ‘etta’.
I can’t stress enough how often people will mispronounce ANY name - even the simplest names. It’s crazy. A [name_f]Mary[/name_f] will still be called [name_f]Marie[/name_f]. If that is the basis for wanting to change her name, seriously just leave it be. It is precious. And if she grew up hating her name? ANY kid could grow up to hate their name, whether it be [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] or [name_f]Cleopatra[/name_f] or [name_f]Holly[/name_f] or [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]. There is nothing you could do to control that, except not naming her something like Kryztal-Shandaleer, which you didn’t. I suggest really talking to your husband about it, because it will be just as much his choice. Maybe he could reassure you better than we could. I also agree with the berries - the name has taken off on its own at this point…and even if she doesn’t have the vocabulary to tell you yet, she might truly love her name, and feel like an [name_f]Etta[/name_f].
I know that I am in the minority but I don’t think it’s too late to change her name if you really feel that it’s not the right name for her. If you do change it would consider names that have an ‘[name_f]Etta[/name_f] nickname’ to make the transition easier on her though.
I know someone who changed her daughters name when her daughter was 5 (years not months) Her mum regretted her name choice almost as soon as they had named her but felt like she couldn’t change it, in the end they did though and have never looked back. She is now 18 and has no long lasting effects of having her name changed at that age. She identifies with her “new” name not her original name and says that she can’t imagine that being her name now.
[name_f]Etta[/name_f] was a lovely choice; you shouldn’t doubt yourself so much.
But, if it’s a matter of really NOT liking her name and you don’t want to have to say it for the rest of your life, it probably is a good idea to change it soon. Growing up a an [name_f]Etta[/name_f] though, I think your daughter would love her name and wld cope fine
I too thought of [name_f]Etta[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u] when I saw this thread (her real name was [name_f]Jamesetta[/name_f]).
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] you’ve seen something you like over these last few pages
I liked the suggestion of [name_f]Violetta[/name_f] nn [name_f]Etta[/name_f]. That way of you want to twist it you could call her [name_f]Vi[/name_f] sometimes. [name_f]Violetta[/name_f] [name_f]Mae[/name_f] is gorgeous.
I am going to answer this question as though I woke up and found myself in this situation.
Change it ASAP. I’d go [name_f]Julietta[/name_f] and start calling her [name_f]Juliet[/name_f]. [name_f]Violetta[/name_f] and call her [name_f]Violet[/name_f]. Your family can still call her [name_f]Etta[/name_f] as they wish. At least call her [name_f]Em[/name_f]… short for [name_f]Etta[/name_f] [name_f]Mae[/name_f]. I would start TODAY. Fifteen months is pretty late in the game but if you’re still disliking it I can’t see you ever liking it.
I’m sure many people would like the name [name_f]Etta[/name_f] and your daughter might be one of them. But as for me… I dislike it quite a bit as it just isn’t my style so I see where you are coming from. Best of luck!!!
If it’s been 15 months and you’re still feeling this way, then I say change it (but change it fast!). It’s late, but it’s not too late yet. She might be aware of her name now, but if you changed it she probably wouldn’t even remember her name not being whatever you change it to 15 years from now. I certainly don’t remember anything from when I was 15 months old. I like the idea of changing it to something that could still use [name_f]Etta[/name_f] as a nickname. You wouldn’t have to call her [name_f]Etta[/name_f] if you didn’t want to. I personally really love [name_f]Violetta[/name_f]! [name_f]Julietta[/name_f]'s pretty too. I also like [name_f]Henrietta[/name_f], [name_f]Odetta[/name_f], [name_f]Arietta[/name_f], and [name_f]Fiammetta[/name_f]. If you wanted to change it to something completely different then that’s fine too. Good luck!
Wanted to thank all of you for your input! Reaching out for some advice on this subject ended up being a really positive thing for me. Although I think the idea of going with a longer name that includes “[name_f]Etta[/name_f]” is a great suggestion, I decided not to change her name. She is [name_f]Etta[/name_f] [name_f]Mae[/name_f] to me and will always be my precious [name_f]Etta[/name_f]. You are right, many people mispronounce names and you can never please everyone with the name you pick (and why bother to try). My husband and I picked [name_f]Etta[/name_f] [name_f]Mae[/name_f] because WE loved it. For some reason, I am more confident about her name and finally at peace about it after posting my concerns. Thank you all for the positive responses and suggestions!
