[soph81]

I named my baby Aexandra Poppy. The whole way through my pregnancy I loved Matilda (Tilly) but then I heard it used everywhere, dogs, cats, every second baby.... and so I got put off. As soon as I sad Alexandra Poppy it just didnt sound right. I dont like the nicknames for Alexandra, and its such a long name for a bub. I got so upset, and so after two weeks my husband gave in and we called our bub 'Poppy' as a compromise. I have talked about it non stop for the last 6 months and am driving everyone close to me (or anyone who will listen) nuts. Should I - stick with Alexandra Poppy or switch it backwards to Poppy Alexandra? She really is a little Poppy now. Her toddler brother loves it. I love it now - I just get a little annoyed with people who don't like it quite openly (its a grandfathers name, oh poppy popped - farted - etc). Will she hate it and want to change it to Alexandra? OR should I change it to Poppy Matilda? Any advice? I sound so silly but this is really upsetting me, especially not making a decision. I LOVE the idea of these anonymous boards (although any friends reading this will definitely know who I am!!!). Help please!!! I'm frazzled and really need to move on!

[LittleMissPink]

Is there any reason you cant just leave it as it is officially, and just call her Poppy as a nickname? Then when you need to fill in forms, just put in the "known as" section, what you want her to be called?

She might dislike Poppy as a name when she gets older, and might want to be called Alexandra...you just never know.

[Quack Quack]

I would change it before she gets any older. Make it what you want it to be!

[marnie27]

I'd leave it as is and continue to call her Poppy (gorgeous name by the way). She can always change it officially later or decide to be called Alexandra or a variation of it. I work with someone who is known by her middle name - I didn't even realise she had another name for the first few years we worked together.

FTR - we tossed up for ages about whether to call our DD Harper Xanthe or Xanthe Harper. Most of the tine she actually gets called Lulu - which has absolutely nothing to do with either of her names.

[Etcetera]

Just call her Poppy.

My dads family has a tradition where the first name is passed down through the male line and the middle name is used. So my dad officially is F W but is known only as W. It's never been a problem.

If you truly hate Alexandra, then I would change it if your DH agrees, otherwise juet don't use it.

[canuckmel]

I'd leave it and call her Poppy as a nickname. Poppy is a cute nickname for a child but not really for an adult, while Alexandra will 'grow' with her better and there is a very strong likelihood she won't like Poppy in 20 years time because it will be a little 'juvenile' iykwim.

[mum201]

I would just keep doing what you are doing. Her official name is, but just use her second name unless it's for things such as applying for a passport. My nan hates her first name, so goes by her second. Most people that know her have no clue what her official name is. I found out because she sent me across the road to buy her something as a kid, so I had her wallet - looked inside and asked why she had a different name on her licence. But then again she was full of secrets - her late DH had no clue what her age was when he died (he was 15 years younger, but thought it was closer to 10).

[Flutter Bug]

You could just leave her name as it is and keep calling her Poppy!

I've heard it quite often - where a person is known by their second name rather than their first. She might love it or hate it as she grows up - who knows?! She might change it back or she might really love being a Poppy! If she seems to be more of a 'Poppy' I would just keep calling her that if I was you. It's not unlike having a nickname I guess.

I wouldn't change Alexandra to Matilda now. Although I do love the name - I have a Mathilda. I've heard it's getting popular but I haven't actually met another Matilda/Mathilda since having her nearly 3 years ago!! It's funny how a name can really suit (or not suit) your child. People always want to shorten her to Tilly or Mattie but she is such a Mathilda we have never used a nickname on her.

This post has been edited by Flutter Bug: 05/08/2012, 07:41 PM

[opethmum]

I would leave it. This is a personal story but I knew a Poppy growing up and she absolutely loathed her entire name, her name was Poppy Jean and she hated her name with a passion, she eventually changed her name by deed poll.
Leave it and let her make up her own mind and let her decide what she wants to be called. Suck it up and just call her Poppy in the mean time. A name is not all about you, let them grow into it, she may like Poppy but she may like to be call Alex, Lexie etc and not Poppy down the track. Plus all the paperwork in changing the names is a headache in itself. Like PPs said most school enrolment forms nowadays contain the field "known as" and there you can pop in Poppy.

[Sophie11]

My Grandmothers name was Matilda....she hated it.
apparently someone offered her mother a lot of money as a joke to call her that...

she always went by the name Tilly...

some useless information.

We have an Alexanda...we vowed and declared we would not call him alex...we wanted Zanda or Lex...as variations to this name...but he likes being called Alex and he loves the X in his name...

more useless info...id stay with it...it will all pass.