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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

BIL gave dog same same as DS

136 replies

bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:23

Not sure if AIBU or precious so am prepared to be told I am!

BIL (DH brother) recently got a dog and has given it the same name as our DS. Aibu to be irked by this? Name is common boys name (think Jack) and not a name you'd associate with a pet. Surely out of the millions of names out there you would choose one that isn't the same as your nephews?

I can't imagine naming a pet the same name as a close child relative?

OP posts:
ANightmareBeforeChristmas · 29/12/2023 15:28

It's just a name, and your son will be around long after the dog is just a memory.

Kirkeee · 29/12/2023 15:26

I think some posters are being disingenuous.

Mumsnet is so contrarian. You know if someone posted “Im thinking of naming dog same name as nephew” they’d receive an absolute pile on.

pizzaHeart · 29/12/2023 15:25

MrsKwazi · 29/12/2023 14:37

As per previous poster, it is very odd, but he is the one that looks like a twat, not you. Did he expect an argument/attention do you think?

This ^

Missingmyusername · 29/12/2023 15:25

Jack etc is a dogs name- all my dogs have been called human names. I do think it’s a bit weird to be honest, of all the names.
Be interesting when you visit! 😜

BlackBean2023 · 29/12/2023 15:24

OP it's weird, don't let anyone tell you differently!

MeMySonAnd1 · 29/12/2023 15:23

FastingBitchFace · 29/12/2023 14:51

All three of them have been dead a while now. Sadly the dog wasn't the first to go, I hated that thing. Grin

Show quote history

😁

HerRoyalHeinzness · 29/12/2023 15:23

I would be tempted to adopt a donkey (or similar) for him for his next birthday. With a bit of luck I am sure you could find one with his name. Sam, Jimmy, Hector, Walter, Ashley, Jasper, Percy & Theo are all currently available.

Adopt a Donkey - Sam | The Donkey Sanctuary

Sam

The Donkey Sanctuary has more than 20 gorgeous donkeys available for adoption in sanctuaries across the UK. For just £3 a month you can be a part of your chosen friend's life forever, and help support donkey protection projects around the world.

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/adopt/sam

WiddlinDiddlin · 29/12/2023 15:23

For a 'modern trend' the use of 'human' names for dogs has been going on an awfully long time.

My Grandma had a Basset Hound called Bella in the 1940s, and I can think of more pets with people names over the last 40 years of my life than I can non-peopley names, one of my dogs is called Errol (and he is 15 so again hardly modern!)

It's a non-issue OP, its hardly as if the opportunities for Jack-child and Jack-dog to be confused as to which one is being spoken to will be a daily occurrence. And Jack-child will hopefully have the name a lot longer than Jack-dog!

Wheelz46 · 29/12/2023 15:22

You are definitely not being precious, I wouldn't have dreamt of calling any of my pets that were names of my nieces or nephews.

I also would not give my child a name of a family pet thag was name first either, however much I liked the name, it would definitely be a no from me.

Applebottomjeans3 · 29/12/2023 15:19

We have the opposite problem, named our dog a Gaelic word that was not a common name for humans. Now it seems to have become popular and there’s a few babies with the name! One of them is quite closely connected to us and a few people have said, ‘isn’t it a bit strange X has named their child, your dog’s name?’ 😂 I just laugh and take it as a compliment for choosing a nice name! It is definitely a bit odd OP, just not worth giving too much of your energy.

Nellieinthebarn · 29/12/2023 15:18

This would massively piss me off. Although I do have a history of giving pets human names, current dog is Wilfred, and cat was called Hugo. I would never name the same as a relative.

GagaBinks · 29/12/2023 15:16

Yeah that's a really weird thing to do and I'd definitely ask some questions about it.

Goldbar · 29/12/2023 15:13

It's odd, OP.

Of course you need to let it go and I'm sure you're not exactly going to have a big confrontation about it, but it's very strange behaviour.

I'd just call them "Human Jack" and "Canine Jack" (or whatever it is) whenever you meet up.

GrandHighPoohbah · 29/12/2023 15:07

I think that's a pretty odd thing to do, it just seems so unnecessary. Not only does he have all the other human names to choose from, but also all the made up doggie ones! Definitely weird, and it would annoy me.

Jom222 · 29/12/2023 15:03

FastingBitchFace · 29/12/2023 14:42

My parents did this, but they used MY name for their dog.

WHAT omg

RockandRollers · 29/12/2023 15:03

I don't get what's so weird?
Nobody owns a name, we have many children in our family who share same middle name, and we've had so many pets between us over the years all mostly with people names l am surprised this hasn't happened to us, and if it did it wouldn't bother me in slightest.

MonsteraMama · 29/12/2023 15:01

One of my dogs has the same name as me. It's the name she had at the rescue and it seemed mean to rename her when she'd already learned it. So we share a name. It's weird, but I don't mind.

Have you asked him why he chose the same name as your son? I'd be curious as to what he'd say.

Neriah · 29/12/2023 14:57

I only know 4 Jack's. Three are dogs, and the other is a dog walker.

Seriously, there are more important things in life to be bothered about.

Original poster
bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:56

QuietlyWonderful · 29/12/2023 14:55

If I were your DS, I'd be sitting when DBIL said sit - paws up and begging - and I'd be running to the door when he said walkies. I'd totally take the piss!

Haha that is a great idea

OP posts:
QuietlyWonderful · 29/12/2023 14:55

If I were your DS, I'd be sitting when DBIL said sit - paws up and begging - and I'd be running to the door when he said walkies. I'd totally take the piss!

Original poster
bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:55

Strawberrycheesecake7 · 29/12/2023 14:52

Did he definitely name the dog himself? Rescues tend to come with names already and some dogs are even named by their breeders. If he did choose the name it is very odd but I wouldn’t let it bother you. Your son will probably think it’s funny that he has the same name as his uncle’s dog and it shouldn’t affect his life at all. I do agree it’s a weird thing to do though.

He definitely named it himself

OP posts:
Littlegoth · 29/12/2023 14:55

Doggymummar · 29/12/2023 14:35

My neighbour has cats called mark and Lola and a dog called Toby my dog is Millie. My sister's is Evie. My cat is Oscar. Lots of pets have people names. My name is often used for a dogs name too

Yes they do, but is your child also called Evie, or is your niece also called Millie?

I agree with OP. It’s either weirdly not occurred to BIL that he is giving the dog the same name as his nephew, a dig, or BIL just isn’t very imaginative.

Original poster
bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:54

Ok think the consensus is that it is a bit weird but nothing to get worked up over, and I'm certainly not going to create any drama IRL over it. Think I'll just have to let it be. But glad to know from the responses I'm not being completely unreasonable!

OP posts:
Mumof2NDers · 29/12/2023 14:53

WetBandits · 29/12/2023 14:50

Nooooo!

My cats have human names. We considered calling our dog a human name but nothing suited him, so he’s named after a character from one of our favourite films.

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Our dog is Buddy after a character from one of my favourite films 😀

Strawberrycheesecake7 · 29/12/2023 14:52

Did he definitely name the dog himself? Rescues tend to come with names already and some dogs are even named by their breeders. If he did choose the name it is very odd but I wouldn’t let it bother you. Your son will probably think it’s funny that he has the same name as his uncle’s dog and it shouldn’t affect his life at all. I do agree it’s a weird thing to do though.