Baby Name Central

When Meg Ryan adopted her daughter from China, she named her Charlotte. Later Ryan changed the child's name to Daisy, telling TV-personality Oprah Winfrey it was because "she's not a Charlotte."

Regret is common after any big decision. But few decisions can be as auspicious as picking a child's name, as evidenced by the number of parents who change their baby's names in the first days or weeks of their child's life: about 10 percent, according to a 2008 poll of 1,219 mothers by BabyCenter.com.


Common or usage?
Parents looking for a "quick fix" to changing their child's name can opt for a "common usage" change, similar to giving your child a nickname. That means if you named your daughter Stephanie, but wish you chose Melissa, you and your family can start calling her Missy. Introducing her as Missy and referring to her that way will set a precedent for that to be the name she's known by.

Going this route won't change the name on her driver's license or her future college diploma, but it will spare you the hassle and expense of a legal name change. And, if you're only hoping to change from Isabella to Belle, it's probably an option worth considering.

Even so, going from Stephanie to Melissa or Missy without legally changing your child's name, won't change your child's legal documents (birth certificate, Social Security, school records, savings bonds), as they will still be in her original name.

And, experts caution that having differing common and legal names can be confusing throughout life. Consider that, on the first day of preschool, teachers will refer to her by her legal name, leaving your child to correct them with the name he is known by. Plus, having two different names may create an administrative headache for your child as an adult, as bank accounts, marriage certificates and insurance policies will all need to state Stephanie, even though she's gone through life as Missy.

The legal process
If you're going to make a legal name change the easiest way to get started is to contact a lawyer to advise you of your state's specific rules and requirements. If you want to try and save legal fees, head to your local county court to learn the exact process, as name change procedures vary by state. Some states provide downloadable forms online while others require the child be a resident of the state for a certain period of time.

Although the requirements vary slightly by state, here's a basic list of the forms you'll need:

*Petition for a name change
*Court order approving your desired name change
*Petition giving public notice of the name change
*Final decree from the court authorizing the name change

You'll need to sign these forms in front of a notary and be sure to make several copies of the documents to use when you apply for a name change on your child's Social Security card and birth certificate.

You'll also need to pay fees, which vary by state. Once you've filled out all the paperwork and paid the fees, you'll need to be patient. It takes approximately one to two months to receive the court order approving the name change.