Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Is it acceptable to use the same name as my cousin- bear with me, I know it's been done before!

33 replies

jumpinghoops · 13/03/2013 21:43

So- I have actually only just realised that my cousin's 18 month old son is named Edward as they've called him by his middle name since birth, I've never even heard them use Edward in reference to him (in photos or person)! However, I've just happened upon a photo album that lists his full name.

I really love Edward James for our soon to born son- do you think it's acceptable for me to ask my cousin if he minds us using it? We're not a close family but probably catch up maybe 3 or 4 times a year.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
jumpinghoops · 19/03/2013 11:39

Just wanted to say thanks for all advice/suggestions here. My cousin has come back to me to say he doesn't have a problem with it at all as they don't think of their son as an Edward- in his words 'he's most definitely a [Turkish name] now, not an Edward'.

Thanks again to all.

OP posts:
BourbonsAndTea · 18/03/2013 10:04

What about calling your son James Edward but use his middle name day-to-day?

MiaowTheCat · 17/03/2013 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WormCanner · 17/03/2013 12:58

It's a non-issue.

  1. They don't call the other kid Edward
  2. People aren't glued to their extended families for life
  3. Edward has lots of shortenings and pet forms
  4. It doesn't matter anyway
Trills · 17/03/2013 12:56

If your cousin's son is 18 months old and you've only just realised what his actual name is then I'd say you are not close enough for it to be a problem.

ZolaBuddleia · 17/03/2013 12:50

Yes, Miaow, why? You were there first and it's a dog!

My parents gave their dog a male version of my name...

apachepony · 17/03/2013 10:59

You felt squeezed out of the family because your cousin named her child after your dog? Why?

MiaowTheCat · 17/03/2013 10:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Choccybaby · 16/03/2013 21:17

Would benedict be a better alternative to Benjamin with your surname?

Original poster
jumpinghoops · 16/03/2013 18:04

Hmmm, all very helpful thank you. I like Edgar.

I do really like Ianto, my partner is just adamant that we can't name our baby the same name as his uncle's dog! (he is a lovely dog though Grin)

thegreylady- yes, yes, I want my son to be just as you describe! You have made me love Edward a little bit more Smile

OP posts:
thegreylady · 16/03/2013 17:22

Edward is a gorgeous name-my 4 year old dgs is an Edward so for me the name means a beautiful,bright mischievous little boy whose cuddles are second to none.[He is Edward Jake]

RantyMcRantpants · 16/03/2013 10:30

Ianto is gorgeous much nicer then Edward. I'm on Team Ianto.

MrsLyman · 16/03/2013 10:27

As you have a welsh connection, what about Edryd?

SavoyCabbage · 16/03/2013 10:19

I've got the same name as my cousin. It's never been an issue, nor have there ever been any mix-ups either comical or tragic.

I'm six months older and apparently my mam was told that they had been thinking of using the same name until I was born and she (my mother) was aghast that they should not get to have the name they wanted for their baby and told them they should have it too if they wanted it.

soontobeslendergirl · 16/03/2013 10:10

Oh, and I have a cousin who's sons name is the same as my son, we weren't in touch so I didn't know until my. Son was already named. Her daughter is called the name we had chosen for a girl and if our second child had been a girl, I would still have used it. They would have different surnames.

SconeRhymesWithGone · 16/03/2013 00:53

My brother's DD has the same name as my DD. No problem at all.

soontobeslendergirl · 16/03/2013 00:42

I don't think it matters if it's the same tbh - even if they did use Edward as a first name.

All 4 of my brothers and 1 of my sisters names were all used by my mothers and fathers younger siblings for their children (1 of my brothers was used on both sides!) - there is only me and my sister who are "unique" However, none of the names are particularly rare and in two families the boys were named after their Dad's rather than my brothers.

I like Edward - I prefer Edgar though, it's a little bit different.

Similar names to your list:

Jonah (Joe)
Ewan
Lawrence
Nicolas
Gregory
Innes

poppydaisy · 15/03/2013 20:48

Ianto is a great name - strong, cool and rarely used. Much more interesting than Edward imo!

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 14/03/2013 17:10

I didn't use my favourite name because a cousin has it. Used it as a middle name instead. Although I love the name i picked, we only see them onece a year or so now and wish I had just used my first choice.

ZolaBuddleia · 14/03/2013 17:10

I think you'd be perfectly justified in using it, given the circumstances, but will it worry you afterwards?

On the other hand, I prefer these to Edward...

Samuel
Peter
Frank/Franklin
Ianto (LOVE LOVE LOVE)
Idris (love also, but makes me think Elba)
Reuben
Owen

Original poster
jumpinghoops · 14/03/2013 17:07

Just to add, have thought about Edwin and Edmund, neither feel quite the same to me- but a possibility to discuss for sure.

OP posts:
Original poster
jumpinghoops · 14/03/2013 17:05

OK, thank you all ever so much for bearing with me. I never got name angst with my daughter!

My cousin is a reasonable guy- I'll see what he says but accept his point of view and move on if necessary. The thing is, in my head, his son isn't an Edward and the day-day name they call him is Turkish (he has a Turkish mum). I see him as that name if that makes sense- it's about as far from Edward as you can get!!

Ianto was our favourite Welsh name- but sadly it's the name of my partner's uncle's dog!! I do love Noah too, and when I was a teacher I taught a lovely little Noah. Alas, my OH's not having it. Frankly, almost every name on that list I've come up with and he's turned down. He's the one making this so bloody tricky Grin

OP posts:
Laquila · 14/03/2013 16:45

I would go ahead and use Edward if you love it, particulalry given that they use their son's middle name. Alternatively, do you like Edwin or Edmund?

You do have some lovely names on your long list, though, so it sounds like you'll find something that's perfect for your son, even if it's not Edward.

UsedToBeAPixie · 14/03/2013 16:22

Edwards James is lovely, and I'm sure that if your cousin doesn't even use the first name it will be fine!
If you get a big fat no however, I have a bias towards Noah James as that is my DS name Wink
I do love your list though, it reads like mine!

AntsMarching · 14/03/2013 16:15

TeamEdward my DH is a Dewi :)

Jumping I would use Edward if that's what you love. I know it's the cousin's name, but it isn't the name he uses everyday. If you decide not to use Edward, you could go for Emlyn. That would have been our boy name if we'd managed to make a boy. Dd1 & Dd2 were most unobliging :)

Swipe left for the next trending thread