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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.

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HorryIsUpduffed · 14/03/2013 16:09

I have the same name as my second cousin - ie my dad and his cousin gave their daughters the same name within months.

It has literally never caused the two of us any bother, although when we are both in a room (less often nowadays) we are known by firstname middle name eg Horry Margaret and Horry Jane.

Edward James is lovely.

TeamEdward · 14/03/2013 16:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
jumpinghoops · 14/03/2013 16:02

Right, thank you all v much for your feedback. I will talk to him. I do get the originality aspect ie. choosing a name that identifies him as his name. I thought this name was Edward!! I know it's quite a common name but not one that I know any family and friends have used (until I stumbled across this).

I feel quite sad that we couldn't use it but accept that he got in there first as it were and I'd hate to upset him or his wife.

I don't suppose anyone fancies helping me out with alternative suggestions? Maybe I should start another thread. I am going mad trying to find a name we both like and it's making me sad, I was so happy to 'find' Edward as our name.

I have a DD called Martha, here are the ones we've considered but discounted for various reasons: (middle name would be James)

Thomas
Samuel
Stanley
Alistair
Peter
Frank/Franklin (still a possibility)
Alfie
Theo
Evan
Ianto (partner is Welsh)
Idris
Benjamin (love but doesn't work with surname)
Isaac
Reuben
Owen
Max
Rhys
Noah
Jacob
Joshua

My partner is into good solid, non-trendy names. Help me please! Should I start another thread?!

OP posts:
BananaramaLlama · 14/03/2013 14:58

My cousin chose the same name for her dd as my dd2, hers is about 3 years younger. Doesn't bother me at all, tbh, there will always be someone with the same name.

poppydaisy · 14/03/2013 14:39

Is there really NO other name you love? To me, the whole point of naming someone/something is to IDENTIFY them, so calling your son the same name as his 18 month older nephew is a little unimaginative imo. Why not have another look and see if you can find a name that can be your son's name - that people will identify with him.

birdofthenorth · 13/03/2013 23:31

If they don't use the first name it won 't cause confusion for mutual relatives (or any offence, hopefully). Edward is a lovely and not unusual name- it wouldn't be like having two baby Herberts or Xaviers in a family, for example.

QOD · 13/03/2013 22:16

My dd has the same name as DHs cousins dd.

pissed me off big time because we came SECOND and I didn't know his cousin existed, crap family contact, resolved thru the wonders of Facebook and found out that they have the same name.
Dh family have a hideous history of sharing names, think big Dave, little Dave and a sibling group called the equivalent of
Patricia
Patrick
Alexandra
Alexander.

But if you knowingly do it, well, meh, it's not like they even use the first name

TobyLerone · 13/03/2013 21:52

My cousin has a DS with the same name as mine, and she never even asked! So I think it would be fine to ask your cousin. As long as you'll be fine if he says no.

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