My son doesn't have a name (kinda)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-09-2004
My son doesn't have a name (kinda)
5
Thu, 12-09-2004 - 8:43pm

Ok, I'll tell the whole story. My first two initials are AM (Alisha Marie)and my son's fathers first initials are AM (Anthony Merrel) so I decided to give my son the same initials as us. I named him Anthony Michael. Oh, and I have an uncle named Anthony and and uncle named Michael. LOL. When I knew I was having a boy, naming him Anthony Michael sounded normal. I have since changed my mind. For some reason mentally I don't associate either name with my son. I always refer to him as "the baby" or "my little guy" stuff like that. I perfer the name Michael so I'd like to call him that but when I use the name I feel like I'm using someone elses name and not my son's name. I'm really struggling with this. I guess it would be like having a junior or a third generation name (like Mr. blah blah III). It's to the point that when people ask me his name I have to think for a second. When his baby sitter writes his name on his bottle I almost don't even recognize it.

Any suggestions?? Please help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Thu, 12-09-2004 - 9:06pm

My suggestion is to give him a nickname if you don't want to leagally change it. Maybe Micah, instead of Michael. I happen to love Micah but not Michael. The social security site has lists of name rankings along with names that are similar. It's listed somewhere on this site, but I don't remeber where.

One of my nieces has the name Allura Arwen. No one can seem to say Allura so she has about 5 - 7 nicknames. She'll be 3 in Feb. My SIL says they'll have her go by Arwen when she goes to school so they try to use that name sometimes, even if it's not what they really feel comfortable calling her. I'm hoping by the time she starts school she'll be more of an "Arwen" and her parents will be used to calling her that.

Good Luck


crazy

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
Fri, 12-10-2004 - 9:24am
hi...sorry for your sadness. i think a nickname would be a good idea too! how about tony if you don't like micah? or if your last name is a J or something...how about A.J.? heck, i know people whos nicknames are so different than their first name...for example, my uncle goes by the name laverne, and his first name...real name...isn't even close to that. our daughters name is alyssa claire and many times we call her A.C. sorry, not sure if i've been too much help...hope you feel better soon. leah

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2004
Fri, 12-10-2004 - 1:44pm

It's fairly easy to legally change his name, if that's what you want. Maybe, though, you just need to put some extra effort into calling him Anthony or Michael a lot, so that you become more accustomed to it. That may be all it takes.

Otherwise, though, a nickname is a good idea. Or, there's nothing wrong with changing his name to include his first name, two middle names, and his last name. Then, call him by the second middle name. He'd be Anthony Michael ___________ Last Name. This may not be the best alternative, but at least you could rename him without completely changing his name...

Since he's named after so many people (2 uncles and his father, with initials matching yours and his father's), maybe a nickname would give him a better sense of individuality as he grows up, too. And, it doesn't even have to be a "traditional" nickname of Anthony or Michael. What about...Andy, Micky, Mikey, Mike, Tony (although I don't love this one), Toby, Mick, Cale, Cole, Tim, Tom, Tommy?

Or, you could do some sort of play on his first and last names together, or just his last name. For instance, if his last name starts with "Mc" or "Mac," then call him Mack. Another person's suggestion of A.J. is nice, if his last name starts with a J.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide on.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2004
Fri, 12-10-2004 - 1:54pm
I think that giving him a nickname is the way to go. Some play on his given name or think up something different that you think fits him. I like names like Ace, or something like that. At least that way, you don't have to change his name. When he goes to school, all he has to do is tell the teacher he goes by Ace or whatever you decide to call him. His friends and family will all think of him as that name, but "officially" he's still Anthony Michael. My name is Jessica Kathryn, and I go by Katie, so I just have to tell people I go by Katie...it's no big deal. GL and let us know what you decide!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Fri, 12-10-2004 - 11:26pm

pick a name you love, practice it on him & change his name.


i didn't have a name for 2 wks after i was born b/c my parents were told they were having a boy.


Toby is a cute name & i like the name michael.


A lot of the other nicknames for Anthony & Michael I personally really don't like.


I think the initials idea just isn't working -- find a name you think suits him & that makes you feel right about it.


GL!


JEN

Jordan