6 tips to find a baby name from an expert
Boston-based baby name consultant Colleen Slagen Receive weekly messages like these from parents guessing what they named their baby:
“We currently have a 4-month-old son and are experiencing serious baby name regrets. We want to find a different name for our son but we don’t have any options that we like.”
“I want to help them, but usually that’s not a straight answer,” Slagen told TODAY.com. “It’s really complicated.”
Sometimes Parents have doubts about the name Immediately – as soon as they hear other people say it. Other times parents will try to stick with a name that will never feel right for their child.
“people have contacted me When the child is 2 or 3 weeks old up to a year old,” Slagan says, “I’ve also asked 2, 3 and 4-year-olds to reach out.”
TODAY.com talked to parents who have legally changed the names of your childrenFrom Oakley to CallihanFrom Luke from Aspen and from From Ottilie to Margot. Although each case is unique, Slagan has tips for parents who are wondering if they’ve chosen the “right” name for their baby.
6 Tips for Regretting Baby Names
After hearing so many stories of baby name regrets, Slagan shares her biggest insight about it an instagram reel.
- Although regretting a baby name can feel embarrassing and isolating, it’s more common than you think. Having doubts about your baby’s name doesn’t make you a bad parent.
- Baby name regrets are emotionally complex and don’t always have a clear-cut solution. Ultimately, you have to decide what is best for your child and your family.
- The second time there is more pressure. Slagen believes the most successful name changes occur when the parents already have an alternative name they like.
- Although the process of changing a name is logistically difficult and emotionally difficult, Slagen says that clients who have changed their child’s name are glad they did so.
- Consider your child’s age and your partner’s feelings before deciding to change the name.
- You may want to talk about therapy to see if you can adopt the name you originally chose.
“Changing your baby’s name seems like a really embarrassing thing, a big deal,” Slagen says. But ultimately, change won’t be a jolt in the past, and if you can get over that hurdle and make a plan for how you’re going to disseminate this information, you can do Change the name.”
The Case of Waiting to Name Your Child
Slagan has seen a new trend emerging that may combat name regrets: delaying naming your baby.
Many of the cases of name regret observed by Slagan are based on the fact that the couple decided not to find out the baby’s gender in advance and that they become overly attached to names of one gender, but not the other. Even this happened to Slagen himself.
Slagen recalls, “When George was born we were very undecided; we didn’t know what gender he would be.” “I didn’t like any of the guys’ names. And I felt pressure to announce right away. You don’t want to make the wrong decision.”
That’s why it’s been “refreshing” for Slagen to see influencer Hannah Neeleman (known online as ballerinafarm). Struggling to name her ninth child Right after he came into the world.
Slagen says it can be difficult to identify the perfect baby name when you’re dealing with postpartum hormones and a newborn’s sleep schedule, but if that doubt persists, you may be ready for a change.
“If you’re feeling like you want to change it and you’ve been thinking about it for months, you’ll be so glad you did when you changed it,” she shares, “because I don’t think these feelings will ever go away for you.”
