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Baby names

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Original poster

Really like Henry but already have a Harry - help!

132 replies

Spellcheck · 05/01/2013 10:32

Please can I have some opinions on this! Expecting my DC4 (DP's 1st) in a few weeks. It's a boy, and we are really stuck for names. I am a teacher and therefore most names remind me of some of the children I teach so I don't want them as they are already 'taken' IYSWIM. The only name we really, really like is Henry.

However, my first son is Harry. It's a name in it's own right, I didn't call him Henry and shorten it, so surely as they will both have different surnames, it would be ok to call DS2 Henry?? Some friends have called the idea into question, and now I've thought about it so much I can't think straight.

What would you think if a friend did it? Or should I say sod what everyone thinks and go for it anyway?

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SuperChristmasScrimper · 05/01/2013 12:09

Oh my God please don't do this. There are so many names out there, why let your existng son think he is so unimportant that you gave another child what most people will consider to be the proper version of his name!

Clary · 05/01/2013 12:08

Doh! Samuel of course. William and Billy for brothers, really???

sleepyhead · 05/01/2013 12:08

I'd have thought there was a fair chance that your son Henry would get the nickname Harry at some point.

MardyBra · 05/01/2013 12:07

Don't do it. It's the same name. I agree with the Daniel/Danny analogy.

Clary · 05/01/2013 12:07

LOL @ Sam and Samual. I know someone who called their children Luke and Lucy which I thought was a bit odd!

cece · 05/01/2013 12:07

I know someone with two sons - William and Billy,

Go for it I say if it really is the only name you can agree on.

seeker · 05/01/2013 12:06

So Elizabeth and Beth is fine? Sam and Samuel?

mrscog · 05/01/2013 11:58

Bugger, in my irritation I added a 'panic' apostrophe in sons!

mrscog · 05/01/2013 11:57

Ignore these old fashioned idiots - call your son's what you like - if someone can't hear the difference between the two they should be calling their GP for a hearing test appointment!

AuntieShirley · 05/01/2013 11:33

I am afraid I see them as the same name too. I don't even think they are similar. They are the same name. There must be something else you like?

almapudden · 05/01/2013 11:24

I woukdnt. It's the same name. Equally, I wouldn't have a Jack and a John, or an Emily and an Amelia.

lottiegarbanzo · 05/01/2013 11:20

They are the same name but Harry has become a very common name in its own right in recent years and I imagine many Harrys and their parents don't even know it's the same.

What is the age difference between the two boys? If it's large, they may not actually spend a lot of time together as the years go on and will have different friends and acquaintances. With a different surname they certainly won't be confused and only family will necessarily know they are brothers. That's a reason to go for it.

There may be a sense though, that you appear to be 'starting again' with a new family with the new DP, disregarding what went before. That may not be what you wish to convey.

In the end, do whatever you want, of course.

Clary · 05/01/2013 11:17

Harry is a diminutive for Henry - Prince Harry is actually called Henry, and Henry VIII ws known as Prince Harry or Prince Hal as a young man.

So on that basis I think it's the same as calling your children Billy and William. I woudn't do it myself.

NotLongUntilXmas · 05/01/2013 11:15

I didn't realise they were the same name, but then I accidentally named two of my DDs with the same name, one is the French version.

QOD · 05/01/2013 11:13

I know someone with Bryan and Ryan ... Go for it!

CheeseStrawWars · 05/01/2013 11:12

I think it's the same name but also bear in mind:

Letters will be address to "Mr/Master H Smith" - how do you tell whose post is whose?

Yelling "Henry!" or "Harry!" in park or wherever - hard to tell which name you're calling, from the child's point of view. Confusing for all concerned.

wigglesrock · 05/01/2013 11:07

Its the same name, I have always known Harry as a nickname for Henry. I would equate it with using Danny and Daniel.

WhispersOfWickedness · 05/01/2013 11:04

I view them as the 'same' name as well, sorry. Henry is great though!

HappyNewBleurgh · 05/01/2013 11:04

I think they're too alike, but probably because I know they are the same name. I'd also make the John/Jack connection as well.

MorrisZapp · 05/01/2013 11:02

I wouldn't, sorry. They are the same name.

GoldPlatedNineDoors · 05/01/2013 11:00

Well I suppose Jack and John are the same name and I wouldnt think that was odd.

Harry and Henry are too similar sounding for me - its almost like having Harry and a dd called Harriett

lockets · 05/01/2013 10:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MoetEtPantsOn · 05/01/2013 10:57

Do as you like (Henry is a great name) but bear in mind that reactions through life will be same as on this thread and with your friends. There will always be people who think that you have two sons with the same name and others who don't.

happystory · 05/01/2013 10:56

I wouldn't do it. Don't think your ds1 will thank you for it when he's older

seeker · 05/01/2013 10:50

It's the same name. As any fan of the royal family will tell you.