She stole our girl name! What would you do??

I would still use the name , and just say to them oh you loved the name too did you .

I’d call my baby what I wanted to and assume they would do the same.

What's the name?

still use the name. no one owns the name. they have not stolen it. it is extremely rare and not particularly a good or desirable thing to be the only holder of a name.

when they are together call them Ella1 and Ella2 - with your DD being Ella1 because that was her name from the day you decided it (which was presumably before it was decided as a name for the other one) so she has had the name for longer despite being younger.

I'd ask them why.

Why are there so many of these threads? No-one stole anything. There's no reason for "open war" or to "despise" anyone. Just call your baby what you want.

Honestly I'd be really upset. As you told them and they could have at least told you they liked it too and were considering using it. I take it they just used it without even acknowledging that you had told them you were using it?

If my best friend did this I'd be questioning our friendship as it's the dishonesty that would annoy me. If they wanted to use the name, fine no one owns a name but a bit of pre warning wouldn't hurt. This just seems like they plotting in secret to 'steal' it as their baby was born first.

I'd still use it though OP.

Did they know? Because if it was an accident I can understand?

Still use it!!

I'd remember that I don't hold the copyright on the name and decide if I still wanted to use it. Then I'd move on with my life.

I'd be glad I'd told other people I liked the name before their baby was born and still use it.

What's the name?

Of course you should call your baby the name you want to call her. As should we all.

Unless you invented the name then they have stolen nothing. You must have heard it somewhere, so did you steal it too? It’s annoying but maybe they had already thought of using the name too and just didn’t want to say anything when you mentioned it. And what the heck does ‘open war’ mean in this context?

She didn’t steal anything.
Call your child what you want to.

Did they know?

The OP states clearly that she told them.

Why’s the name? I can understand being pissed off if it’s unusual or unique but not if it’s something really common like Olivia or Molly.

No need for ‘open warfare’ in any case. Be dignified. Does it really matter?

And the issue is?

I had this with my DS dads cousin. Both pregnant at the same time. We'd decided on Harley before we were even pregnant, dad is a big motorbike fan, as well as it being the middle name of a relative who died very young. Cousin new all of this and then when her baby was born before ours by one week, she called hers Harley. We were upset but decided on our second choice name and it was the best thing we've ever done. He's definitely a Dom and not a Harley.
You will be upset at first but use a diffeeent name and you won't regret it.

I'd message them and ask why they used your name? And I would still use it.

I wouldn't fall out but I wouldn't ignore it

Would be annoying but wouldn't ruin friendship over it.

I would look for something else but if I couldn't find anything I like as much go with the same name.

Just use the name. That'll piss them off royally.

I had similar. An ante-natal colleague had her baby two weeks before me and announced their name. I said oh, I was going to call my baby that. I thought I couldn't use the name anymore.

18 years later I used the name and I never see her. Glad I kept the name as it 100% suits them.

They may have already chosen the name and then got really worried when they found out you wanted it too. You’re obviously good friends for a reason and have the same taste in names.

Use it too. Laugh about it. And let it go.