How Soon after I give birth am I required to have a name for her?

Question

I'm due in a week (which I don't think I'll make it to). My problem is I havent picked out a name for my baby. We've called her peanut since before we knew she was a girl. I feel like I am under so much pressure to have a name picked out before I go into labor. But I really don't want to pick a name out untill I get a chance to spend time with her. I have a list to choose from but My husband isn't helping. I want him to be a part of this process but I really feel like I'm not getting any real feedback from him. Other than one name that I'm not exactly in love with & I think that I will know when the name is perfect...... So my question is...... If I don't have a name for her after I give birth, how long do I have before I have to put something on the birth certificate? Does it depend on the hospital?

Answer 1

In the US, as far as I'm aware, they don't actually require you to pick a name. The hospitals may try to make you stay until you pick a name, but they cannot legally force you to stay, even if they pretend they can. If you don't pick a name by the time you (or the hospital) have filed for a birth certificate, the child goes on file as Baby Girl (your last name), e.g. Baby Girl Bloggs. Some states use Female Bloggs instead. To get this changed, you'll then have to apply to the courts for a name change. That costs money*, so I suggest you pick a nice name you think you can live with, and put it on the birth certificate. You may end up liking it, and if you don't, you can go get that name change anyway. Anything's better than Female Bloggs. Though I do know one woman who suffered this dilemma - her parents never chose a name for her, so her name was always listed as Female. She pronounces it "fe-MAH-lee". LOL

*I just checked this out. Apparently some states give you a grace period in which you can name your baby officially without having to pay for the name-change. The length of the grace period varies from state to state. Some don't give you one at all, while some allow you years. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Answer 2

attempt a style of: one million. Ella 2. Ava 3. Grace 4. Lolita 5. Emma 6. Elizabeth 7. Genevieve 8. Aurora 9. Isabella 10. Bella 11. Charlotte 12. Lily 13. Saria 14. Sookie 15. Leighton sixteen. Sasha 17. Olivia 18. Chloe 19. Sophia 20. Amelia 21. Rory 22. Sook 23. Sarah 24. Lorelei 25. Mia 26. Emily 27. Belle 28. Madeline 29. Abigail 30. Caroline 31. Madison 32. Anna 33. Claire 34. Jennifer 35. Ruby 36. Madeleine 37. Jade 38. Ellie 39. Sienna 40. Opal 40-one. Natalie 40 two. Hannah 40 3. Miley 40 4. Leah 40 5. Mary 40 six. Rachel 40 seven. Millie 40 8. Alice 40 9. Kate 50. Rose

Answer 3

In Australia you need to have all the forms filled in within a month.

With our little boy we named him Daniel at about 4 months into the pregnancy when he was born there was no doubt that it suited him.

I can understand that you want to see the bub before deciding 'who' he/she will be known as. I guess you could pick 4 or 5 favourite names and choose one in the delivery suite...

Our little Dan the Man is now 18 months old and I couldnt imagine him having any other name...! He is a Daniel through and through!!

Our experience kinda questions the whole wait till you meet bub approach... your son will be who you name him regardless of when you name him. There is no escaping that.

Answer 4

It might be before you leave the hospital- because I think they also assign social security numbers at birth now. I don't think the hospitals would set the rules, likely the county, or state. I'm sure you have names set aside that you like, and once you meet your new girl, I'm sure the perfect name will come from one of those pretty quickly. Maybe you could contact your county court house and see if they can advise you- or where ever birth certs are filed. One of my mother's friends needed her birth cert as an adult to get a passport, and was amazed to learn hers was filed as "GIRL SMITH" because her parents didn't decide on a name right away. They may not do that any more but poor Helen was sure suprised.

Answer 5

Here in Oklahoma you cant leave the hospital until you pick the name, since you have to enter one on the birth cert and it has to be done before you leave I am pretty sure it depends on the state and not the hospital

Answer 6

I think it is by time you leave the hospital after giving birth. My bestfriend just had a baby and wasnt even close on deciding what to name him until a few moments before she left the hospital. It saves hassel and aggrivation so they don't lose any records of your baby's prints or pictures etc.

Answer 7

My hospital had me filling out paper work with his name on it while I was in labor. But my aunt took days to name her son. They just have to have something before you leave the hospital. I would like to be able to see the next one before I name it. Because I may change my mind.
And as far as your husband not helping, I wish my husband didn't want as much input on our son's name because we ended up compromising and I don't really care for his middle name

Answer 8

Most hospitals will not let you take the baby home till the birth certificate is filled out----name and all. There are those parents who would never get around to it.

Answer 9

I have two children, and they were both born in different hospitals, and they usually give you all the paperwork to fill out at least a good 6 or 7 hours or so after you had the baby, they try to give you time to relax and enjoy the baby, but you have to fill it out before you leave the hospital, this way they can give you, your paperwork that you need for your child's birth certificate, social security card, etc.
when you get there, after they hand you the paperwork, ask them how long you have to fill it out, and they will tell you, they don't hassle you about it or anything, but i just know it needs to be done before you leave... good luck, and PS once you look at your little bundle of joy you will know what her name will be. congrats and good luck again :)

Answer 10

It would depend on the hospital's regulations. Some cultures, such as those overseas, don't require that a name be given immediately. I'm with you...to at least meet her before deciding. The hospitals here in Oregon seem to want a name on the birth certificate before you leave. Relax and enjoy the rest of your time. Her name will come to you. Be well.