By: Jamie Thompson
Updated: December 12, 2019
Originally Published: July 4, 2013
You’d think nine months would be ample time to settle on a baby name, right? Well, apparently, not for me. When my daughter was just a month old, I looked at her tiny, adorable face and thought, “This little one is definitely not a ‘Presley.’” Oh boy, we had chosen the wrong name!
Initially, I kept my thoughts to myself, assuming I’d eventually adjust. Maybe Presley would grow into her name, or perhaps I would. My husband and our family continued to call her Presley while I silently cringed. In my defense, it was indeed her name, but I often resorted to calling her “the baby” or experimenting with names like Lila or Harper when no one was listening.
Months rolled by. Then, one day, I casually tossed the idea to my husband: “What if we changed Presley’s name?” His shocked expression said it all; after all, she was six months old. But let’s be honest, he knew my quirks when he married me, so isn’t this partially on him?
After two months of back-and-forth, we finally decided to start calling her by a new name at eight months old. Yes, you read that right—eight months! Surely, this kind of thing happens to other parents too, right?
Thus, “Presley” transformed into “Summer.” I admittedly borrowed the name from the now-defunct show, “The O.C.” While some parents opt for names inspired by athletes or movie icons, I firmly believe that characters from nostalgic teen dramas hold a charm of their own.
Changing a child’s name post-9/11 isn’t exactly straightforward, especially in New York City. The bureaucracy ensured my child wasn’t a potential threat or attempting to dodge legal troubles. I can’t track every moment of her naptime, but I’m confident she’s leading a pretty unremarkable life so far.
It took six trips to civil court to finalize her name change to Summer. During one hearing, I watched others request their name changes. There was a man named Woo Wo wanting to flip his name to Wo Woo, a transgender individual seeking a more feminine name, and an Asian father wanting to Americanize his children’s names. Another woman couldn’t recall if her middle initial “H” stood for Harriet or Hazel. In that moment, I realized two things: 1. Being a judge in NYC must be wildly entertaining. 2. I’m not as crazy as I thought.
If you’re on the quest for the perfect baby name, check out the Scary Mommy baby name database for plenty of ideas and inspiration. And if you’re also interested in fertility options, you might find useful information at Hopkins Medicine about IVF and other services. For those considering self insemination, our blog offers a great resource on fertility boosters for men, which you can find here: Fertility Booster for Men. Additionally, check out Cryobaby Home Intracervical Insemination Syringe Kit Combo for more insights.
In summary, sometimes the journey to find the right name for your child can be unexpectedly complicated. But rest assured, you’re not alone in this endeavor, and it’s always possible to make a change down the line.
Keyphrase: naming your baby
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