Should I change my name- and what to?

Girl Names
1

OK, so I am a teen nameberry for two reasons. [name]One[/name] of them, and the biggest, is because I hate my own name. It’s never been in the US top 1000, which is good and bad. I wouldn’t mind if it was something people can pronounce, especially since people don’t use common sense when pronouncing names ([name]Isla[/name] comes to mind as well).

My first name is [name]Reine[/name]. A French word name for ‘queen’. Recently, I found out that my family doesn’t even pronounce it correctly, which makes me think I look stupid (I know a [name]Ciara[/name] who pronounces it [name]Sierra[/name] and a [name]Kiera[/name] who pronounces her name [name]Kiara[/name], and I think it is sort of silly). If I had been pronouncing right, maybe I would have been able to avoid all the weather jokes, because my parents pronounce it ‘rainy’, while the French pronounciation is closer to [name]Wren[/name] or [name]Rain[/name].

I’ve never liked it (I remember complaining about it when I was six), and people think it is a kry8tv and yuneighkke spelling. I’ve even had people make remarks when I’ve been spelling my name or correcting the pronounciation, “Your parents wanted to be different with the spelling, eh?”

I’ve finally convinced my mother to let me go by a completely unrelated name when I go to high school next year. I’ve already tried to go by three different pronounciations ([name]Rainey[/name], [name]Rain[/name] and [name]Renee[/name]- which is the most common pronounciation people say). My middle name is [name]Rebecca[/name], which is OK, but I really don’t like how common it is. I know a ton of Rebeccas and Beccas.

So, I’m trying to figure out a name for me to go by next year when I become a high school freshman. A completely unrelated name, that I might possibly add as a third middle name.

Right now, the front runner is [name]Lucy[/name]. I adore the sound and meaning, and the name has great media credentials (books, TV, [name]Charlie[/name] [name]Brown[/name], anime, and Skillet). I don’t know anyone named [name]Lucy[/name] in real life, and I cannot find it in any local yearbooks.

What do you think of my name [name]Reine[/name]? Should I change it? And what to?

I think these names would work well on me:

[name]Lucy[/name]
[name]Kira[/name]
[name]Mae[/name]
[name]Astra[/name]
[name]Skye[/name]
Arabellla
[name]Wren[/name]
[name]Aurelia[/name]
[name]Sadie[/name]
[name]Ellie[/name]
[name]Chloe[/name]
[name]Zoe[/name]
[name]Ria[/name]
[name]Mia[/name]

2

Well, three middle names… that’s a whole lotta name. I love the idea of [name]Wren[/name], or even [name]Ren[/name]. [name]Renee[/name] is appealing in a way, in that it’s close to the name your parents gave you. I’d go with [name]Wren[/name] or [name]Ren[/name], or maybe if I were feeling daring, [name]Rainer[/name] after Rilke (nn [name]Rain[/name]?) You could go by [name]Wren[/name] for a while, see how it fits, and legally change your name later if it suits you. [name]Lucy[/name] is great, but the transition may be harder.

3

I love the name [name]Lucy[/name], I almost changed my name to that when I had my name legally changed. I can kinda relate to your story there, a lot of people assumed my original name [Kristjana] was a creative spelling [when in fact it was the traditional Icelandic spelling] and they would always be botching the pronunciation of it, mistaking it as other names, misspelling it… and because of that I ended up hating it.

Aside from [name]Lucy[/name] on your list, I like [name]Sadie[/name] as well. You could do something like [name]Sadie[/name] [name]Mae[/name] [name]Rebecca[/name], or [name]Lucy[/name] [name]Mia[/name], and so forth

4

I know you’ve experimented with alternative pronunciations, but I would still still a little closer to [name]Reine[/name]. Since [name]Reine[/name] is pronounced a bit like “[name]Wren[/name]” in French, I think [name]Wren[/name] is perfect! I think it’s pretty, nature-related, soft, easy to say and spell. It’s also a logical jump from [name]Reine[/name] so if people ask questions about why you use a different name, you can easily say, “Oh, well, [name]Reine[/name] in French sounds like ‘[name]Wren[/name],’ so it stuck!” So you’re not using [name]Reine[/name], but you are nodding to where you’re coming from. Alternatively, I think [name]Ria[/name] is pretty and could easily come from [name]Rebecca[/name] (which I love).

5

I love the name [name]Wren[/name] and [name]Reine[/name] is pronounced pretty much the same way.

I understand how you feel though, about feeling silly going by a name that you found out your parents aren’t even saying correctly. I knew a girl in high school named [name]Siobhan[/name] (a BEAUTIFUL name, a variant of [name]Jane[/name], pronounced sha-vonne or shi-vonne) and her parents pronounced it sho-bin. I personally was horrified, as I have a great aunt named [name]Siobhan[/name] and a cousin named [name]Siobhan[/name] (my mom was born in [name]Ireland[/name]). The girl [name]Siobhan[/name] refused to believe the correct pronunciation, teachers used to always give her side-eye haha. It made me feel bad for her, but also, [name]Siobhan[/name] isn’t some random name, it’s been around for a while. At least with [name]Reine[/name], it’s a more known as a French word.

I still with [name]Reine[/name] is pretty though, but I’d stick to something close to your name. [name]Wren[/name] is very pretty.

6

[name]Do[/name] you like [name]Reina[/name]? [name]Reina[/name] is the legitimate spelling of the word for queen in Spanish, and it’s pronounced rain-a. I believe it sees some use in Spanish. I feel like it’s the closest to your own name (still two syllables) while a lot more relatable. People might still pronounce it wrong, but if they know Spanish (which a lot of people do in parts of the US), they’ll either get it right, or will understand why it’s spelled that way. [name]Rayna[/name] or [name]Reyna[/name] or [name]Raina[/name] are all alternate spellings.

Anyway on a fully different note I really like [name]Lucy[/name] and the idea of [name]Queen[/name] [name]Lucy[/name] makes me think of the Chronicles of [name]Narnia[/name], which makes me happy. Good luck to you!

7

Realistically, will your parents and friends and family actually change what they call you? Going forward, perhaps you could try the correct pronouniation; it may be easier to do that entering a new school. “[name]Rainy[/name]” could be a lovely family nickname; that way those who have always known you would not have to make a change.
I realize this is not what you want to hear and I hesitate to post it. It’s just that I personally think you are blessed to have an unusual and pretty name, although I understand the annoyance of having it constantly mispronounced. None of the other names on your list stand out and you may long for that if you change your name. Of course, you may have to continue spelling/pronouncing it for others all your life but that may not be a downside, especially since it is a short name.

8

Of the names you like, I like [name]Ellie[/name] the best, then [name]Lucy[/name]. [name]Both[/name] great names.

Have you thought about going by [name]Raina[/name]? It’s close to your given name, but it’s a different name and it’s in the U.S. top 1000 (in the 600s, I think). Another option would be [name]Regina[/name], which is in the top 500, so not that common, but everyone knows how to pronounce it and it also means queen. Another name that means queen is [name]Regan[/name] ([name]REE[/name]-gan). Personally, I like [name]Regan[/name] because it’s a Shakespearan name and it reminds me of the word regal, and given the meaning, that fits. It’s also in the top 1000.

9

I like PP suggestion of using [name]Wren[/name] esp since it’s close in prn to [name]Reine[/name].

10

[name]Wren[/name] or [name]Ria[/name] would be the easiest transitions, I think I prefer [name]Ria[/name].
Good luck!

11

What if you just got the spelling changed to [name]Rainie[/name] or [name]Rainy[/name]? I think adding another name would be a really long name and then if you got married and decided to double barrel… that’s a WHOLE lot of name.

Other nickname ideas:
Rei/[name]Ray[/name]
Rini (ree-nee)

I think [name]Ria[/name] or [name]Wren[/name]/[name]Ren[/name] is the best of your names in the list since it relates to your current name.

12

I hate that you feel silly or embarrassed over your name. I usually hesitate to agree that a name change is the best bet, but in your case I understand the motivation. I think changing the spelling to [name]Rainy[/name] is a good suggestion, but I like the idea of [name]Wren[/name] too. I think those are both close enough to your given name that few people at school will notice the transition.

13

I echo the suggestions of:
[name]Reina[/name] (this came to mind first for you and I think is a beautiful name)
[name]Wren[/name]
[name]Reine[/name]- but pronounced the French way

14

Well, I don’t have much to add because it sounds like I agree with most everyone else! I think [name]Wren[/name] would be the easiest transition. Or changing the spelling of your name to [name]Rainy[/name]. [name]Wren[/name] would probably be the one I’d go for though.

15

I love the sound of [name]Wren[/name] and [name]Ria[/name]! They are both beautiful and unique. I think it might be difficult to try and transition from [name]Reine[/name] to [name]Lucy[/name], but if that’s what you love then go for it!

16

I’m sorry you don’t like you name, sweetie. I’ve gone through stages where I don’t like my name too. I don’t think you should change your first name, but adding a third middle name and going by it is fine! I’ve actually never heard your name before. And you love Skillet! I already like you! I think [name]Lucy[/name] is sweet, classy, timeless, and cute. I have loved it since my mommy read [name]Narnia[/name] to me when I was six. [name]Lucy[/name] has my vote all the way.

17

Agree completely. You’re still too young to change your name itself-- and it seems like you don’t dislike the name, but the mispronunciation. Now is definitely the time, when you’re starting at a new school and entering a new stage of life, to correct the pronunciation back to “[name]Ren[/name].” [name]Ren[/name] is a sleek, trim sound, very modern and distinguished, and it could seem like a natural ‘nickname’ to people who already know you well, including your family.

In a few months the transition could be complete.

18

Your name is one of my favourites. But I do like [name]Lucy[/name] if you don’t want to try introducing yourself as [name]Reine[/name] pronounced correctly next year?

19

I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Wren[/name]! [name]Lucy[/name] is really popular where I am-don’t know about you so I’m not too keen on it.

20

As I’m also changing my name (and I’m only 16), I think that you should go for it if you’ve thought it over and know that that’s what you really want, as for choosing a name, I think going through lists are a good idea and writing down any name that sticks out to you, then later dissecting the list and narrowing it down. I don’t think you should pick a name just because it’s close to your name now unless that’s the name that feels like the one.

[name]Lucy[/name] - absolutely gorgeous, I can see this working on almost anyone. [name]Young[/name] or old.
[name]Kira[/name] - this is my sister’s name, she uses this spelling and all, I’m rather unsure on my opinion of the name because of that.
[name]Mae[/name] - gorgeous, but I think it does work much better in the middle spot.
[name]Astra[/name] - all I think of is the car.
[name]Skye[/name] - [name]Skye[/name]'s an old favourite and I can see this working.
Arabellla - [name]Arabella[/name] is one of my favourites of this list, I love the vintage charm. I think to use this name you will need not to be shy.
[name]Wren[/name] - gorgeous, but I feel like this name would be hard during a change as it is close to [name]Reine[/name].
[name]Aurelia[/name] - same as [name]Arabella[/name], but I think this name needs more guts.
[name]Sadie[/name] - I love [name]Sadie[/name]. I can see this working.
[name]Ellie[/name] - okay as a nickname, but I think you need something with more substance as a full name. [name]Even[/name] if it’s just [name]Elle[/name].
[name]Chloe[/name] - this name springs to mind silly 14 year olds (no offence meant), I’ve never been a big fan and it’s popularity just worsens it.
[name]Zoe[/name] - as above, although I prefer [name]Zoe[/name] to [name]Chloe[/name].
[name]Ria[/name] - cute.
[name]Mia[/name]