Really like Henry but already have a Harry - help!

My DD1 is 6. There are two boys called Harry in her class, both are Henry on official documents so I would strongly argue it is not old fashioned to see it as the same name.

I have never heard of Harry being used as a nickname for Henry and assumed they were standalone names. I wouldnt think it was strange at all.

The thing is, even if you don't think they are the same name - and I can see how opinions change, Sally used to be short for Sarah I believe but we'd probably see them as different names now - Henry may get nicknamed Harry later in life. So its like having a Charles and a Charlotte and ending up with two Charlies, or a Phillip and a Phyllis and ending up with two Phils.

Having said that there are twins in an Enid Blyton book called "the two Harries" because they are Henry and Harriet, so Enid is behind you, and in the end its up to you of course!

Thing is, at 13 your ds is too young to get they are the same name, but he won't always be! Honestly, pick your ds2 a name of his own.

I think one is a nickname for the other. So if a friend did it, I'd think she didn't know many boys' names. But, sod what everyone else thinks and doing it anyway is a perfectly valid choice of action.

I think it's a bit different if its a dog - it's not like Milly/Meg the dog is going to be upset by having the diminutive version of another family member's name! Also, it's not really a big deal to change a dog's name if you really want to.

And yes, sadly dogs are not with us for very long, if you think long-term :(

Oooh my dd is called Meg! Love it!

@Alisvolatpropiis - DH charmingly pointed out that Meg probably only has another 8-10 years on her, so it's ok. Way to make a pregnant woman cry...

We'd probably shorten to Maggie, but it's actually just dawned on me this moment that Maggie is my aunt's dog's name. Oh well, what with my husband and my mum's dog sharing a name, it can just become our family tradition or something!

@TessOfTheBaublevilles - very good point! Just thinking of a well-spoken Henry at school who was devastated at being called "posh" and insisted that everyone call him Harry. Last I saw on FB, he goes by Henry as an adult.

DS1 is Jack, at the time I didn't like John, but over the last few years I've grown to LOVE the name John.

However, I would never use it, because however different the names might look and sound, Jack derived from John and therefore is the same name (so to speak).

littleacceb I know what you mean there. Have a dog called Milly and it recently dawned on me I can never use Camilla now. Sigh. DP was delighted when I mentioned it though!

I think you could get away with Margaret though,she could be Maggie/Mags rather than Meg?

Obviously you are making the decision with full understanding of the situation, but it's tricky because to use both names might imply a lack of knowledge on your part, which can be embarrassing for children as they grow up.

Not quite the same, but... We're considering Margaret but our dog is named Meg and it's making me feel slightly uncomfortable.

It's the same name IMHO.

Yeah that is it, it feels a bit lazy, like you only read one page of the baby name book

They come from the same root and for that reason I couldn't. I know somebody who has called their DDs Ellie and Ella and when I posted about that on here to find out if I was the only one who finds that a bit the unanimous verdict was that they are essentially the same name (as they are both derived from Eleanor), it was kinda lazy/uncreative and it isn't fair on the kids.

There are thousands of names out there, you will find another one you like!

My 2 cents is that as a parent to a Henry it is one of my greatest regrets. I kick myself everytime I see the class list, he is one of 5 in his class :( I am so very, very annoyed with myself that I didn't pick something else, I hate that he is the 'Sarah' of his generation. I can think of so many other names now! The other day I even had someone say 'oh great, another Henry' and I realised I am that person with no imagination :(

Secondly we don't shorten, but DD can't say Henry even at 2 1/2 and says 'Harry', so if we had a Harry too, that would be seriously weird.

Harry is a nickname for Henry. I would not name my son Henry if I already have a Harry!! How would Harry feel if his little brother got his name (whereas he 'only' got the nickname version)? I honestly wouldn't - there must be another name you like.

I think this must be like a reverse AIBU... I bet the husband has suggested it I just can't really imagine a fully grown woman, and a teacher to boot who must know how children are with names really thinking it would be a good idea to give her 2 sons pretty much the same name. Especially as she is the Mother of both so would know how weird/hurtful it would be for her DS1.

So my bet is she will back on to say she wrote it to prove to her husband that it was a crazy idea!

I really wouldn't do it.

The majority of people will make the connection with them being the same name, especially with Prince Harry being the most famous example of this.

It's a shame as I like both Harry and Henry. DP and I are TTC and Henry is firmly on our boy list.

I wouldn't do this as I think it could be frustrating for your boys. It is them who will have to live with the confusion if there is any so I think better not to take the risk. Perhaps they won't mind but why take the risk?

If you like the name Henry so much, perhaps you could give it as a middle name. It would look like a sort of homage to your DS1.

I met someone a few years ago who had two sons called Henry and Harry. Every time I saw her, all I could think about was the fact that she had unwittingly given her two children the same name. To do this knowingly would be completely incomprehensible to me.

I'd ask your ds1 and if he doesnt mind go for it.
I know when dh and I thought we were having a baby 23 years ago we were talking about names and wanted Thomas [the full name] however dss1 who is Tom was distraught at the idea and we abandoned it-we werent expecting anyway and never did have a joint dc.

What about if 'Henry' wanted to go by Harry when he's a bit older? There are several boys at DS1's (13) school who are called Henry, but go by Harry, including one of DS1's friends. DS's friend says he prefers Harry as it's more informal/relaxed, whereas Henry is his 'posh formal name'.

Your potential Henry wouldn't have that choice. Well actually he would, but it would mean you'd have two sons known as Harry!