Changing a child's 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!

[Astrolady]

Definitely shouldn't be an issue at all. My Mum's name is Patricia but has always used Mary (her middle name) as Patricia is also my grandmothers name. She signs everything as P M xxxxx though.

[Traveller]

Thanks everyone. OH has come home and is not impressed with what DS1 wants to do so there will be nothing immediate anyway, just good to know there is an alternative he likes if he gets sick of the "girls name" jokes.

[sneakysparkle]

I was thinking - could you just change it to 'Alexander' and that way people can choose what they like - whether it be Ally or Xander? That way, if he changes his mind again you wont have to change anything

[meow]

I agree- maybe just ask that his full name is written on things. I've never heard of Ally being used as a boys name so I can understand how he's feeling uncomfortable in an Australian school with Ally written on his things.

[Indadhanu]

I thought the same thing as sneaky. And just let his teacher know that he has a new nickname. If it's not 'official' it's not a huge deal, just letting others know so that they don't call him something he doesn't want to be called.

[Traveller]

I agree- maybe just ask that his full name is written on things. I've never heard of Ally being used as a boys name so I can understand how he's feeling uncomfortable in an Australian school with Ally written on his things.

That's exactly right, I know how difficult school can be so if his nickname is causing him issues I want him to feel that is something he has control over and can change, and not feel pressurised because it's a name we like.

I will speak to OH about this another day though, his immediate reaction was "don't be silly, of course Ally is a boy's name"

[misty]

I was thinking - could you just change it to 'Alexander' and that way people can choose what they like - whether it be Ally or Xander? That way, if he changes his mind again you wont have to change anything

Yep to this.

My DD has her full first name on everything. Angelica. But she is called Jelly by most people, even her teachers.

My son's; Nathaniel (Nate) and Sebastian (Baz / Seb); will be the same when they are school age. That way they learn there 'real' name, but are also able to remain flexible with it and change or adapt as they wish as they age.

Just wanted to add: My brother has always been known by everyone as Jordan (his middle name) the teachers would learn very quickly not to call him Martin (his first name - our father has the same name) because he just wouldn't respond and would get angry if they did.

I think what you are talking about though really is a nickname (a shortening of the name Alexander) and shouldn't have to be specified.