Changing a child's name

[*TripleJ*]

are u asking like changing his name officially or just wat he goes by if its just wat he goes by then its up to him

sort of like my son who is James but known as Jamie or me my name is Jacinta-lee but i prefer to be called Jacinta is that wat u mean?

[Traveller]

Not changing his name officially, he is and always will be Alexander. It's more that at school, his books, coatpeg, etc, all have the name Ally. He has never used the name Alexander other than for passport applications etc. I know it's just a case of letting the school know that his informal name had changed, and I would do it at the end of prep, so he goes into grade 1 with his new name. I'm more thinking about the other kids, and whether or not he at the wrong age to do this (ie not old enough to deal with constantly reminding people, and too old that the kids will just accept without asking what is happening).

[Inanna]

I think it's fine if he chooses to be known as something else. (gotta love Buffy hey!) We have a child in my son's class that changed the way his name is pronounced. It's now pronounced phonetically as previously it wasn't. This is as there was mucvh confusion at times. Everyone just said: yep this is now what he is... I think you'll be surprised with how easy it will be.

[Traveller]

Thanks Inanna, that's great to know He is practising writing Xander now and seems to have mastered it, so we will see if he still likes it after a few weeks and if so will let the school know.

Oh yeah, and I suppose we should tell my hubby when he gets home that the name we carefully chose for our son is now no more

[Lulu]

DS has changed his name to Anakin Luke Skywalker and goes nuts if you mention his actual middle name...

[jackrose]

I would imagine it should be fine, my brother changed his name when he was in year 6 I think from memory. He was previously known as Ed or Edward and decided that he wanted to be an Eddie. The school and his friends took to it without a problem but I took about a year to come around. I had so much trouble remembering the change after always referring to him as something else. I also kept thinking he would regret it as he was choosing a more 'child like' name over a more adult one, just as he was about to enter a older phase of his life. He is now 30 and still known as Eddie!

Personally, I love the idea of children having the ability to choose their own name variation. I like the sound of your son taking ownership of his identity and being proud of it, just gorgeous.

[Ginger]

oh i love Ally for a boy too,
i don't think it would be an issue to change it to Xander though. if he likes it, go for it!