I feel exactly the same about my daughter's name - like the nickname for her first name but not the full first name, and am considering doing what you are thinking about - ie keeping her nickname but (and its full version as a middle name) and giving her another name as her first name.
If anyone had told me I'd feel like this before I had her I'd have thought they were mad, but once you are in the situation it can completely dominate your thoughts. I think you should do what you want to do - lots of people are known by their middle name or a nickname of their middle name - look at Boris Johnson!
Unfortunately it is too late for me as my baby is over a year old. I feel gutted, and would hate for you to feel the same. I wish I had done something about it. I know I can do a deed poll but don't think that gives her a new birth cert which is such a shame.

janeyyy, I spoke to a friend who knows someone that changer her daughter's name as a baby - about 8 years ago now. According to her, the daughter thinks it is funny that she had a different name when she was a baby, and has no identity issues at all. Obviously, everyone reacts differently to things, but I thought this might be of interest to you.

There have been a surprising (to me anyway)number of threads on baby name changing - so I am sure there must be MNers who have experienced explaining baby name changes to their child.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I think Edward James is a great name, but you're the one who needs to be happy with it. I'm sure you already know that if you do it within 12 montths of the original registration, you'll get a new birth certificate with the new name

DH would have preferred to have kept the original name, but he likes the new name too, and says he is happy with it. We kept the original name as a middle name.

It came down to it being much more important to me than it was to DH. There are other things that are important to DH, but not to me - and he gets his way on these without me even thinking about it. I am so grateful to him for being so supportive over the name thing, but he says it's no big deal, that he sees it as part of being married and making decisions that we are both happy with (I wish we had done this at the birth!)

I don't know how it will affect DS - but I think there are worse things that kids have to deal with. Doesn't stop me worrying about it though

Hatte thats fine, you have to expect some stern responses on here. Did your DH feel the same as you mine doesn't which it what holds me back, he is fine for me to go ahead but I know he would rather keep it as it is and loves his name. But knows the whole thing has sent me a little mad and wants closure.

I don't really care what others think, its just how it would affect my DH and my DS that worrys me.

I changed DS's name at 5 months as I was never happy with his original name either(another long story). I wanted to change it for months, but didn't because I was worried that it would be a crazy thing to do, that people would laugh, and having to explain it when he gets older.

Eventually, I was becoming so upset with him having a name that I couldn't relate to, that I bit the bullet and changed it. You know - it feels like no one has battered an eyelid (not to my face anyway). The general response has been one of "fair enough - you have to happy with it". I am so much happier now. I have come to realise that you have to do what is right for you, and that unless it directly affects them, other people don't really care what you do that much. My family and friends seem happy that I am happier - and now we have a different topic of conversation other than my baby's name!

I still think about having to explain it when he is older - but I can think of a lot worse things to have to explain. I think mist kids think their parents are mad anyway don't they?

Sorry for my earlier post - I didn't realise how important this is to you. I think Edward James is a great name - but its how you feel that counts. Change it if it will make you feel happier

Thanks for the replies, it has given me something to think about.

I have not been happy with his name since he was born (long story why). Do you think it is just too mad now to make changes, even changing it all completely? (he is 10 months old)

How would I explain this to my son when he is older, would he think his mother was mad?

Sorry janeyyy - my post sounds quite preachy. You should do whatever you feel happy with. I just meant that I think it is unnecessary in your case - but that's just my opinion and I don't have to live with it, you do.

I think Theodore James is a good idea if you like that? I also think that your family are being unfair if they are refusing to call him the name you want - tell them he is Ted!

If you want Ted as first name, then I'd change his birth certificate to reflect that, either by naming him Ted or Theodore as first name.

If you're not happy with Edward, change it while you can (easily, that is, i.e. before he turns one).

If you're uhappy with Edward, I'd definately change it now (before he turns one).

You really have lots of options, including Ted James, Theodore James, James Edward... main thing is that YOU'RE happy with his names (not us!).

Good luck!

I agree,don't see point of swapping if would then be using a dimin of the middle name.
Is easily done, however, especially before end of the first year as others have said.