A mum is 'renaming' her school-aged son after noticing the reaction strangers have toward his name - with them constantly asking whether it's 'real'. The woman explained how her adopted son doesn't feel connected to his name - but as his birth mother picked it out, she doesn't feel comfortable legally changing it on his behalf.
She instead wants him to make this decision for himself when he is old enough to do so. Until then, the mother-son duo have decided to meet in the middle - and have asked social media users for their help renaming him.
Taking to Reddit, the mum said: "Our son, Dax, is constantly asked what his 'full' or 'real' name is.
"It's starting to wear on him and he wants to try out a name that feels more complete to him.
"No shame on the name he has, it's just not working for him."
The American mum went on to explain how she and his siblings have Irish names, making him feel like the odd one out in the family.
She also wants his name to suit their surname, which is "fairly short and starts with a hard C."
In response, one user suggested: "Declan James was our boy name. I would love to see more Declans out there!"
Another user added: "The only Dax I've know was short for Daxton, so that was my first thought. Maddox would also work pretty well too.
"It's cool that you're talking and helping your son like this. I know a lot of parents that wouldn't even entertain the thought."
A third user pitched: "I really like Alexander! It has the same sounds as Dax, same consonance. Alexander also has a D in it— a relationship to Dax.
"It's hard to explain, but the names sound almost exactly like each other to me. I think Dax could be a nickname for Alexander, like Peggy is to Margaret."
One more user added: "I feel like most names with D, A and X/K could probably work? Devereaux, Darrick/Darroch, Dakota (dak-daks-dax) I've also heard of Daxton but I’m personally not a fan."
Thankful for the suggestions, the woman said she'd write all the options down on a list to present to her son, giving him the final say.
She added: "Dax is 'behind the post' driving the name-change/choice bus, so to speak. We'll read these together. I'm just the parent-facilitator.
"He didn't care for Daxton/Daxon and Dakota is out for other reasons.
"Some hits so far have been the idea of a D first A middle, Declan, a few other Gaeilge names and 'something with a fada'.
"Good shouts! Much appreciated, all!"
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