Still torn about changing baby's name

[kristenholmes]

Hi friends!

I posted a few months ago when my son [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] was about 3 months old. I was having doubts about his name and was thinking of changing it. You were all so supportive and I really appreciated your opinions/advice. I decided to leave his name as [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] for a few months to see if I got used to it because the whole situation was really stressing me out and I had thought about it so much that I just became really confused about what to do.

My son is now 7 months old and even though I am a little more used to his name and it does feel like his name at times, I still think about changing it. I feel like the deadline to change it is fast approaching though (I know some might argue that it has already passed but I don’t think he fully knows his name yet) so I need to make a decision.

The things still concerning me about this name are:
*sometimes I feel like I can’t say it clearly…something to do with the “Fl” part *people often ask us to repeat it when we say it…sometimes they look confused. I guess it’s because it’s such an uncommon name in the US and people aren’t used to hearing it. They also ask us how to spell it.
*Sometimes people think I’m saying “[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]”, which bugs me because where I grew up, [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] was always a girls name and I knew a couple of mean Lynns! I also worry the “[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]” part makes it less masculine but that might just be in my head.
*I’m also concerned that it will turn into a unisex name one day. It’s currently still 93% male in the US, however, I recently found out that there is a girl named [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] in our area and a friend of mine told me that her daughter’s middle name is [name_u]Flynn[/name_u], so that made me have doubts about the name again. I always thought it was only a boys name so hearing that there are some girls out there with this name just makes me nervous. I know a lot of boys names are starting to be used as girls names but I was hoping to avoid that.
*I let a couple of negative comments online get in my head about the name sounding like “Phlegm”.

Last time I posted, the only other name my husband was willing to change it to was “[name_m]Calvin[/name_m]”. After thinking about it, I wasn’t that excited about it and didn’t really feel that it was our son’s name. I started considering “[name_u]Hudson[/name_u]” and my husband is now on board with it if I still want to change it. What do you think of [name_u]Hudson[/name_u]? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you like it more or less than [name_u]Flynn[/name_u]? [name_f]My[/name_f] only real concern with [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] is if it’s too close to his brother “[name_u]Austin[/name_u]” and last name “[name_m]Holmes[/name_m]”? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_u]Austin[/name_u] & [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] are too close? I’m not sure if it sounds as good at the end of my other kids’ names either (we have an [name_f]Ava[/name_f], [name_f]Mia[/name_f], [name_f]Annabelle[/name_f] [nn “[name_f]Elle[/name_f]”] & [name_u]Austin[/name_u]).

I know some people negatively associate [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] with the [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] river in [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_m]York[/name_m], but for me it’s a positive association as I lived on the [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] river for 4 years. I know some female Hudsons exist but the name is still about 98.5% male in the US and it’s quite a popular boys name these days so I’m not as worried about it becoming unisex anytime soon but I could be wrong. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it will turn unisex?

Oh, and I forgot to mention that my son can’t go by his middle name “[name_m]Joshua[/name_m]” because it’s his Dad’s name.

I spoke to an attorney about changing the name and he said that we would need a court order but it should only take about a month. He did confirm that the old name would always show on the birth certificate, which is a bummer.

What do you think? Should I change it to [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] or just leave it as [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] and hope my doubts will fade over time? OR…another option would be to add [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] as a second middle name and he could go by that if I couldn’t get over my doubts. So it would be [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] [name_m]Holmes[/name_m]. I’m not sure if that sounds good or not? None of my other kids have two middle names. Adding a name would be an easier process than changing his name but I’m just not sure how easy it would be for him to go by his second middle name though. I imagine that could be quite confusing/annoying at times. Does anyone have any experience with that?

Argh, I can’t believe I still don’t know what to do at 7 months! It’s just the worst feeling to not be at peace with this. I don’t have PPD btw. I’m just very indecisive about this one thing!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my novel! I really appreciate any advice you might have for me!

[hellobanjo]

This is a tough one. I think if you think [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] is better for you then go ahead and change it and don’t stress any more about it. [name_m]Don[/name_m]’t worry about the old name being on the birth certificate it’s no big deal. I also don’t think it would be a huge deal to add a second middle name and have him go by that but it might be a bit annoying for him later. And would it bug you?

I get what you’re saying about it being aggravating when people can’t catch or mishear his name when you say it. And about not wanting him to end up with a unisex name since that’s not what you intended.

Good luck sorting it all out!

[Loislyn]

It seems like [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] has a more personal connection to you than [name_u]Flynn[/name_u]. I can’t see why [name_u]Austin[/name_u] and [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] wouldn’t sound good together? Sounds great to me! Overall, from your post, I think [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] seems like a better fit for your family.

If [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] will always be on his birth certificate anyway, I feel like it would be less confusing to just add [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] to his name. Iwould think it would be difficult to show his birth certificate and then also have to explain the name change. Adding [name_u]Hudson[/name_u], instead of replacing [name_u]Flynn[/name_u], seems more logical in a legal sense.

Follow your gut!

[hellobanjo]

I don’t think the poster is worried about his name making him less masculine. My interpretation is that she didn’t feel that Flynn was a unisex name when she chose it, she wanted a masculine name that’s ok. Also she knew some mean Lynns!

[shells15]

If you choose to add [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] as a second middle name and have him go by that, he would be in good company as many people go by their middle names (or nicknames based off of them). For example, my granny went by here middle name most of her life, having decided on doing so when she entered elementary school. Many of my family has gone by their middle names and it hasn’t been an issue. Also, there is a [name_u]Berry[/name_u] on here whose son goes by a nickname off of his second middle name… take a look here for more info on their announcement.

It wouldn’t be a bad thing to be the only child with a double middle name. In my aunt’s family, her oldest has a double middle name and her younger two have a single middle name… they had no issues with it over the years. It has never stood out in the family at large… we know what their full names are and the names (and number of names) don’t make up the individual, the individual gives the names meaning.

[skylerros]

I love the low of [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] [name_m]Holmes[/name_m], as well as with is siblings.

I can see the problems with [name_u]Flynn[/name_u]! Personally I know a little [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] so it’s familiar to me, but I get that that’s not for everyone.

[Elizabethann27]

I always say if you are questioning it this much then I would change it!!! [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] is so cute and goes well with your other children’s names.

[KJGlitter]

I know this isn’t helpful, but I really don’t think there is a wrong decision here. Both [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] and [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] are good names. However, since you’re still worrying about it after seven months, it might be best for you, personally, to go with [name_u]Hudson[/name_u]. [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] [name_m]Holmes[/name_m] isn’t bad at all, is it?

@tfzolghadr I’m a woman with a more unisex/masculine sounding name. That didn’t make me less feminine, but it did make it confusing for other people, especially on paper. It still causes annoying inconveniences, so if she doesn’t want a unisex name, I understand completely

[Alix2016]

Have you considered the nn Finn?

I’m not really sold on The complete name change to Hudson for your child. IMHO Flynn Holmes and Flynn Joshua Holmes offers something more visually and flow wise that I’m not getting with the combo Hudson Holmes.

That-and Infeel like you’re taking a “roll of the dice” with its gender neutrality. If you do a complete name change I would first ask yourself how you would feel if “that worst case scenario” happened. What if 10 years from now Hudson is one of the “on the rise names” for girls. How about in 7 years if you find out your son is in a class with a girl of the same name? When I hear Hudson my association is to Kate and Jennifer so I don’t see that occasion being completely ruled out especially where surnames like Banks are getting put on girls these days. I feel if you could envision that “worst case” scenario coming to pass and still prefer Hudson to Flynn then maybe you’re onto something.

The suggestion of putting it in the middle is always there but I wouldn’t necessarily vote that it becomes his new name. My mother was raised with her middle name being used like a first and it drove her batty.

I’m not saying don’t change it I’m just not quite seeing the allure to Hudson over Flynn. They’re both two unisex names living in a time where everyone wants the unheard of choice so who knows what that’ll mean for baby trends down the road.

[oregano7]

I’m surprised to hear that there’s been any confusion around [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] vs. [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] - to me [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] is a very straightforward, uncomplicated name. Also, I’m surprised to hear of [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] being used on girls - I have met a little girl named [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] but not [name_u]Flynn[/name_u]. (And I think I’ve heard of girls named [name_u]Austin[/name_u]/Austyn? Of the names you mention in this post, I would’ve thought [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] would be the last to be used on a girl.)

I like @Alix2016’s suggestion that you try using [name_u]Finn[/name_u] and see how that feels. If it doesn’t feel right, maybe another nickname loosely based on [name_u]Flynn[/name_u]? You could get away with something like [name_m]Fritz[/name_m] maybe. [name_u]Or[/name_u], if using his middle name [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] would be confusing (I agree it probably would be!), would there be a version of “[name_m]Junior[/name_m]” that you could use? (J.J. for [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] [name_m]Jr[/name_m]?)

[Elle1]

I remember your previous post! I’m so sorry you’re still struggling with your little one’s name

As soon as I connected the name [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] [name_m]Holmes[/name_m], I immediately thought of H. H. [name_m]Holmes[/name_m] This may just be a US association or true crime association, since I haven’t seen it mentioned yet. And it is a stretch, since your little one won’t have an H middle name. Idk, it was just my first thought for some reason!

My vote is [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] [name_m]Holmes[/name_m]. I’ve read that the 2nd middle name can get dropped or cut off sometimes, so if he’s going by that name, I think it should be the 1st middle name.

[rosajune]

I love [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] with [name_u]Austin[/name_u], and I love [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] [name_m]Holmes[/name_m]. Very handsome and sweet sibset and full name. I don’t think you love [name_u]Flynn[/name_u], might as well change it to something you prefer.

[ethelmary]

You seem very keen on changing it so I’d say do it. However, I really can’t see any issue about the things you mentioned. It doesn’t sound odd. It’s not [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] and that doesn’t make it any less masculine. It’s not a great deal that your son shares a name with a few girls, and even if it becomes unisex that’s going to take years. It doesn’t sound like phlegm, at all.

I think all of these concerns show you’re not set on it. You have 5 topics about changing Flynn, all mention the same concerns. I’d change it because you keep worrying about the same things, and seem to like [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] more.

[anon25197097]

I really like [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] and I think it doesn’t sound like Phelgm at all 🤦
If it’s the actual [name_u]Lynn[/name_u] part that is bothering you a little have you considered the name [name_u]Finn[/name_u] or even [name_u]Finley[/name_u]? I don’t think you’ll get anyone confused with that name and it’s also very close to [name_u]Flynn[/name_u]?

I think ultimately it would be better to make a decision by his 1st birthday. Why don’t you try calling him [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] for a a couple of weeks and see if that sounds like a better fit.

With your other children are they not old enough to be a little confused with the name change though? [name_m]Will[/name_m] it catch on?

[TDFM]

Even though I prefer [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] I think you should change his name to [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] (which I do like as well). You clearly feel more comfortable with it; if these issues are still plaguing you then [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] isn’t right.

I personally think [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] is as masculine as [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] and find it a pretty straightforward name but perhaps that’s because I’m in Australia, where it’s in the top 100. I don’t think it sounds like ‘phlegm’ at all, nor have I ever thought about ‘[name_u]Lynn[/name_u]’ in relation to [name_u]Flynn[/name_u].

BUT: as I said, I’m in Australia, where people are familiar with it, and my experiences with the name don’t negate yours. So for that reason, I say change it to [name_u]Hudson[/name_u]. It’s a good, strong name and I don’t think it’s too close to [name_u]Austin[/name_u] to use.

Good luck with your decision!

[Greyblue]

It feels like [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] is the one that’s calling you and feels right whereas [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] doesn’t sit comfortably with you. I’d say go with [name_u]Hudson[/name_u]

[ash287]

This is a hard one. I will leave my opinions on the names themselves out of my comment because that’s just my preference and nothing to do with what you decide to name your baby.

I understand all of your reasoning (especially the part where you say [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] is sometimes hard to say - I have a similar problem with [name_u]Atlas[/name_u], although I adore it). The one part I don’t really understand is being worried it’ll turn into a unisex name, but that’s probably because I think unisex and gentle names on boys are great. Not to mention the fact that you say it’s 93% male, even [name_u]James[/name_u] might be more unisex than [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] Anyway, this is just my opinion and I get where you’re coming from.

If I was in you position, I’d probably change it if I wasn’t sure about it. As you said, the sooner you do it the better. I do think [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] and [name_u]Austin[/name_u] are quite similar and I wouldn’t go for that, but again, that’s just my preference.

[river_dweller]

I agree with just adding [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] as a second middle name. As it would cause to less confusion

Its quiet common for people to go by their middle names, that’s practically the main point for a middle name.

Or you wait a bit longer and ask your son one day what name he would like to go by? He might be very use to getting called by [name_u]Flynn[/name_u]…

[Rachelhaydenberk]

I think [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] is a really cool name. It doesn’t sound like phlegm at all and it seems very masculine to me.

I named my son [name_u]Elliott[/name_u] and people gave me crap that it was unisex now but I pretty much think any name can really be unisex these days! I think more and more names will bend gender lines but I think [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] will mostly be used for boys.

I would keep [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] in the name even if you decide to change it. I like the idea of adding [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] as a second middle. [name_u]Or[/name_u] maybe can you take [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] out and just name him [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] [name_u]Hudson[/name_u]. I understand [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] is his dads name but it doesn’t seem to help the situation here.

I do think [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] and [name_u]Austin[/name_u] are a little similar in sound but not completely unusable. I think [name_u]Hudson[/name_u] is popular and a bit trendy. [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] is more refreshing honestly. But if you really don’t like it, you should probably change it soon.

[MargotAbeline]

i personally really love [name_u]Flynn[/name_u] but if it’s something that you’re regretting and your gut is telling you to change it then i’d say you should before it gets to the point where it’s too late to change it.