Changing our son's name

[rachel27]

I'd change it to Malachi Aiden James. I think that sounds better. I'd definitely legally change it, though. I had a friend whose FN was Mary, and her parents had always intended to call her by her MN, Caitlin. It was just an annoyance to constantly correct people - no, I'm Caitlin. I would keep James in there, still. I like the way the three names sound together...Malachi Aiden James is lovely.

[eskay]

Malachi Aidan James.

[nat108]

He could, but we don't want him to. Since we're calling him Malachi, we want that to be his FN. And we are thinking about moving abroad in a few years and it just feels easier to change it legally.

If you must change it then Malachi Aidan James
Malachi is a lot of name and I think having James in front anchors it. And when he gets older he'll probably feel Malachi is "weird" and prefer being called James or Aidan anyway. I don't think it's necessary to legally change it but if you're really unhappy then do what you must


I don't understand some people's aversion to not calling a child by their first name. It's no different then using a nn. And used to be common when everybody was named Mary and Joseph. Many celebs go by their middle names- Brad Pitt, Dakota Fanning. I know a Tyler (fn John), a Ryder (fn James) and an Aaron (fn William). I think it's nice a have a "normal"- some say boring- name in front with a cutesy/trendy/quirky/unusual middle name.

[pepperingram]

Malachi Aidan James for sure! Such a handsome name.

I think it's nice to keep the James. Mostly because I think it will make it feel less like you're just dropping a name, and just adjusting it, which might rid you of some of the re-namers guilt people get. But don't worry, sounds like whether you choose to keep it or not he has the right name now Good luck with little Malachi!

[pepperingram]

If you must change it then Malachi Aidan James
Malachi is a lot of name and I think having James in front anchors it. And when he gets older he'll probably feel Malachi is "weird" and prefer being called James or Aidan anyway. I don't think it's necessary to legally change it but if you're really unhappy then do what you must


I don't understand some people's aversion to not calling a child by their first name. It's no different then using a nn. And used to be common when everybody was named Mary and Joseph. Many celebs go by their middle names- Brad Pitt, Dakota Fanning. I know a Tyler (fn John), a Ryder (fn James) and an Aaron (fn William). I think it's nice a have a "normal"- some say boring- name in front with a cutesy/trendy/quirky/unusual middle name.

I don't think it's fair to say he will "probably" grow up to thin Malachi is weird. There's nothing weird about that name. I see your point but not many people want to have their child go by their middle name anymore. I completely agree with the original poster that at this young, and since it's a doubt from the start, rather than "oh actually i might call him by his middle name" then it should be changed. Having a gut instinct that you gave your child the wrong first name isn't solved by calling him by his middle name just because the name you prefer is there. For closure and reassurance, in this case, its best to legally swap. That's my opinion anyway.

[rollo]

Malachi Aidan James is a good combo and if you like James why not leave him in the mix?

rollo

PS I do not agree with nat108 about Malachi being a weird name, it is right on trend at the moment and it has the really trendy nn of Kai so it is very much today.

I love my full name but most people call me by my middle name, and I absolutely love it when I have the people who call me by my first name and the people who call my by my middle name are together at the same time and I get to answer to both, it's great fun.

[mollykat78]

What was wrong with James?its a really nice name!
Malachi Aiden James I guess ..I really think you should just keep it James

[nat108]

@pepperingram and @rollo: I don't think there's anything wrong with Malachi either, that's why I put weird in quotes

Most pre-teens/teens don't like to stand out from their peers. Malachi is a stand out name, keeping James gives him options. At a certain point it's not about what the parents want, the child will decide what they want to be called. An angsty teen might hate Malachi and want to be called James, and that's his perogative.
If they hated James, then I'd say drop it but they don't; Dad even calls him James sometimes. Since the issue is with the order of the names it isn't necessary to legally change, that doesn't mean that I'm saying it's wrong to change it. If it's really important that his name legally be in a certain order then go for it.

@rollo: Kai is a good nn.
Again I don't see how a nn is oh so different then going by a mn, it's still not their fn. I've heard parents (like my sis) freak out about calling their child by their middle name but then they call them by a nn. What's the difference? For example, if you call your William Aaron, Liam what's so awful about Aaron? Obviously you liked the mn enough to include it. I know a Mary Elizabeth that prefers Elizabeth/Liz. But when her parents are around, you'd better call her Mary or else you'll get an ear full

[nat108]

double post

[backtomyroots]

Malachi Aidan James