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Baby names

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

Original poster

Giving baby a version of your own name

38 replies

DigUpTheRoad · 21/09/2016 11:42

Would you find this narcissistic? I know boys often have their fathers names and no-one thinks much of it. How about mothers? I wouldn't actually be doing it to reference myself at all. Just a name I love that happens to be really close to my own.

Examples: Clare and Clara
Emily and Emilia
Anna and Annabel
Katherine and Katie

See what I mean?

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juneau · 21/09/2016 13:43

No, I wouldn't do it. There are so many names out there. Having said that, DH insisted that DS1 had his name (to my profound irritation!). It is confusing though and we've mail mix-ups, airline booking and checking in problems. But that's for the same name, not a slightly different one.

I once worked with a girl who's dad was called Ronald and she had brothers called Ronald and Ronaldo. Imagine the confusion in that household!

NameChange30 · 21/09/2016 13:27

I wouldn't give my child an identical or similar name to their father, either, btw.

Traditionally children are given their father's surnames anyway, no need to give sons their first names as well!

If a child doesn't have a surname from its mother (which would be my ideal), I think it's nice to give the child a first or middle name from the mother's side.

HairsprayBabe · 21/09/2016 13:21

I am named for my mother, her grandmother and so on going further back. The names are all different but with the same root and meaning. Think Kathleen, Katie, Kate etc. or Anna, Hannah and Ann etc.

I think it is a lovely tradition, and men have done it for centuries, why should it be different for women?

NameChange30 · 21/09/2016 13:07

My name's Emma (obviously Grin) and I wouldn't use anything too similar. Shame because I love Ezra for a boy and Ella or Eva for a girl.

daisydalrymple · 21/09/2016 13:02

I know a Kate who has a daughter Caitlin, and an Angela who has a daughter angelina. I think it really depends on the particular names. Like you say, boys often have their farher's names, but it's not seen as often the other way.

NapQueen · 21/09/2016 13:00

I probably wouldn't choose it, however we didn't realise til someone pointed it out that dd's name is my nickname (used daily rather than my full name) backwards.

Nelleflowerpot · 21/09/2016 12:58

We know a Claire who has recently had a Clara. Honestly I think it's too close but I guess they must love the name.

booksandchoc · 21/09/2016 12:48

My husbands name is Daniel and we named our daughter Daniella. I think it's fine if it's clear that's the intention.

MrsHulk · 21/09/2016 12:46

My boy has a middle name that's a male version of my name - I like that he has some of my name in there, as he has DH's surname, and we've only had positive comments about it.

Beyond that I probably wouldn't, although more because of the potential for confusion if the names are same/too similar.

Don't think it's narcissistic though.

Nonameyet1 · 21/09/2016 12:29

I'm not that keen to be honest unless you make it explicit that you wanted a version of your name if that makes sense.

squoosh · 21/09/2016 12:19

I wouldn't. It would just seem massively unimaginative.

crayfish · 21/09/2016 11:51

I know an Elaine (the mum) who had a baby Aileen . I kind of thought it was odd as the names are so similar. I wouldn't do it.

wigglesrock · 21/09/2016 11:48

No, I wouldn't think twice about it. We inadvertently gave our eldest a name that had 4 of the same letters that are in my name, both mine and her name only have 5 letters in it. We didn't realise until months later when we were writing cards Grin. We're not huge over thinkers with regards to our kids names - we just picked what we loved.