'My son hates his name and I don't really like it either'

12 July 2023 , 23:38

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'My son hates his name and I don't really like it either'

Choosing a name for your baby can be pretty difficult as it's a choice they'll live with for their entire life, so you want to make sure you pick a good one.

But what happens when you regret the decision you made and your little one isn't very happy about it either? One mum has found herself in this tricky situation and she's turned to the internet for some advice on how to proceed.

The unnamed woman revealed that her four-year-old son, who's called Jake, hates his name - so much that he even cries over it. And it turns out she's not all that keen on the name either as her ex picked it and it just makes her think of him every time she hears it. Not exactly ideal.

Writing on Mumsnet, the parent explained: "My son (4) hates his name. He says it’s boring and he has actually cried about it. He was named for my cousin and also has the same name as a close family member. He says he wants his name to be his own name and not somebody else’s.

"I also really don’t like his name, it isn’t anything awful (Jake). It wasn’t my first choice and his dad decided on it, his dad is no longer in our lives and every time I say it I’m reminded of his dad.

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"His name just seems to have bad connotations. I haven’t told son my feelings towards his name, I always assure him it’s HIS name and it’s lovely but it’s been over a year since he really started hating his name and it hasn’t changed. I thought it was a typical kid thing but it really distressed him."

Instead of being called Jake, the little boy wants his name to be known as Evan. The mum seems pretty happy with this and is wondering whether she should just start calling him this.

However, the little boy is due to start school later this year and she's not sure what she should put down as his name on the paperwork.

She adds: "Shall I put it as known as ‘Evan’ so that he is called that at school and then if he sticks by this when he gets older we can legally change his name? Or shall I keep encouraging him to be called by his real name?"

People had a lot of thoughts on the name debacle, with some suggesting she call her son by the name he wants.

One person replied: "Call him by the name he likes. See how it goes."

Another said: "Can you change it to a name similar to Jake. Jacob? Jackson? If not, start calling him a Evan and see how it goes. Lots of kids have nicknames."

A third added: "Let him change his name. He seems pretty set on it. I had a friend who did this as a child, parents let her change it and then got it changed by deed poll for her 12th birthday. She never regretted it. Just put ‘known as Evan’ on the school stuff."

What do you think she should do? Let us know in the comments below.

Courtney Pochin