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Baby names

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

Original poster

Samuel and Daniel ... too rhyme-y? (Even though full names aren't / won't be used)

41 replies

KatharineClover · 28/06/2014 07:52

Hi everyone,
We have DS1 called Samuel (but known as Sammy or Sam) and due DS2 in September. The only name both DH and I both agree on and love is Daniel, (to be known as Dan or Danny). I was really happy with the choice (but we won't tell anyone irl until after the baby us here) but there is a bit of me that is having a wobble and is worried about the fact that 'Samuel and Daniel' almost rhyme ... even though it will be quite rare that I would say both names in full together.
Does it sound daft to you?
Other names we liked were Benjamin, but as surname begins with a T I didn't want him known as 'Ben T' at school. Also don't want a similar first initial to us (no S, L or J) and we want a traditional name that shortens. DH has a big family a lot of names are already taken.

Thanks for your thoughts x

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Original poster
KatharineClover · 29/06/2014 19:53

Thanks for your thoughts everyone - looks like an even split between daft/fine which makes the choice hard!
I also like Teddy (have done since a teen reading Little Women) but DS has a comforter named teddy so that would be confusing.
It was a lot easier choosing DS's name!

OP posts:
Harrin · 28/06/2014 20:54

My partner is a Ben T and said he got the jokes all the time at school, so I'd avoid that too

Nereida · 28/06/2014 17:55

I think it's fine. I actually think they're quite nice together.

Other suggestions:

Edward (Ed/Eddie)
Frederick (Fred/Freddie)
Nicholas (Nick/Nicky/Nico)
Oliver (Olly/Ollie)
Thomas (Tom/Tommy)
William (Will/Billy)
Zachary (Zac/Zach)

Melons79 · 28/06/2014 11:54

Doesn't Ed Milliband have a Samuel and Daniel?

I don't see a problem.

Marcipex · 28/06/2014 11:50

I think it's fine.

Notso · 28/06/2014 09:01

Exactly AChildminder88 sometimes I think you can over analyse names a bit. I was worried one of our choices for DS3's name and our surname together sounded a bit like Slytherin when I was pregnant Hmm I had forgotten about it until now.

Bowlersarm · 28/06/2014 08:41

I think they are far too close. Sorry.

AChildminder88 · 28/06/2014 08:38

I agree notso once you know the person you don't even hear the name, if you know what I mean...?!

Notso · 28/06/2014 08:19

I know brothers called Dan(iel) and Sam(uel) One was in DD's class and one in DS1's class. It has never occurred to me that their names sound similar in the 9 years I have known them.

nooka · 28/06/2014 08:14

Sorry but I agree with everyone else they are just too similar, whether you use the long forms or the short (Sammy/Danny; Sam/Dan) I do think it sounds overly matchy matchy.

As you like traditional names how about Andrew/Andy, Christopher/Kit, Robert/Rob, Richard/Ritchie, Edward/Ed, Michael/Mike, Nicholas/Nick?

SanityClause · 28/06/2014 08:14

They are lovely names.

What does it matter if they are a bit rhyme-y? For the most part, people will know them separately, anyway, not as "Sam and Dan".

Only problem is, if you have another child (and I didn't want three, either, but I have three!) will it be weird if their name is quite different?

AChildminder88 · 28/06/2014 08:11

My OH and his brother are Sam and Dan I don't think it sounds daft at all!!!

SavoyCabbage · 28/06/2014 08:08

I was going to say yes, all good as long as you don't have Sam and Dan or Sammy and Danny as I think they are more samey than the long versions.

BlueStarsAtNight · 28/06/2014 08:07

Sorry but I do think it sounds silly! I also think Sam and Dan or Sammy and Danny are too rhymey aswell tbh!

I love Daniel but wouldn't use it myself as my DS's name sounds similar to Sam.

Good call on avoiding Ben T too.

How about something like:

Michael
Louis
William
Robert
Matthew
Alexander

Mumof3xox · 28/06/2014 07:53

I think it's fine tbh!

VivaLeBeaver · 28/06/2014 07:52

Sounds daft, sorry. Really daft.