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Baby names

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

Original poster

DS having same name as his Daddy?

159 replies

babynumber2onboard · 11/06/2019 16:10

We haven't found out what we are having yet, but if we are having a boy, I'd love him to have the same name as his Daddy!

What are people's experiences of the logistics of having father and son with the same name?

DPs name can't be shortened as it only has one syllable, so just wondering how the two could be distinguished if I were telling a story about them etc.

Thanks!

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Spaceman101 · 12/06/2019 06:58

I can't think of anything worse, I wouldn't do it. It seems really unimaginative there are millions of names out there. You must be able to think of another you both like.

brusselsprout5 · 12/06/2019 06:48

My sister did this with her son. We all hate it. If you are talking about child you have to say little Eddie all the time. If you are talking about dad & want to be clear you have to say Big Eddie. His brother & sister only call him Little Eddie. I know it annoys her now but it was oldest son got dads name. Carried in a tradition.

FenellaMaxwell · 12/06/2019 06:42

Why can’t you let your child have their own identity? I think it’s rather sad.

SunshineSpring · 12/06/2019 06:40

The men in my family have done this for generations...
My brother:Kevin Gary, known as Gary
My Dad: Kevin John known as John
My Granddad: Kevin Alfred, known as Alf
My great Grandad: Kevin James, known as Jim.

Dont do it!

MarieG10 · 12/06/2019 06:26

Awful idea. He needs his own identity

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 12/06/2019 06:19

It’s tricky as you would automatically be attaching the “Young XXXXX” moniker to him all his life. Even when he’s 50 he’ll still be “Young XXXXX” in the eyes of your family

HOWEVER

My DH has one of my all time favourite names and if we have another boy I’d love to call him the same name as my husband (note I didn’t say “I’d like to give him my husbands name”).

Sadly DH has ultravetoed that happening so Gary it is.

Beautiful3 · 12/06/2019 06:18

My dad had the exact same name as his father and his grandad and great grandad. They all had the same name as it was tradition. When I had my first child he told me to never name my child after him, myself nor my husband. He said they both were often mixed up for all sorts, letters would get opened by the other one. Also he felt that he lacked any individuality. He wished that he had his own name. So my advice would be, to not do it.

bellinisurge · 12/06/2019 06:15

I have a male relative named after his father who is, in turn nam d after his father. We solved it by calling Grandad "Big [name]", Dad -"Young [name]", Son "Little "[name]". It was a a pita. It meant a lot to the Grandad why never knew his own father and was born into extreme poverty in the late 1910s.
When the Grandad died, they all got moved up, so to speak. The youngest is about to hit 30 and is a senior manager. No kids but it will be interesting to see what he and any partner chose if they do. Hope they break the cycle.

Zoflorabore · 12/06/2019 06:05

Please think it through properly op.

I'm named after my mum, am now 41 and still hate it ( and the name too ) and it has caused endless problems over the years.

I've seriously considered changing it.

Sandybval · 12/06/2019 06:02

No.

Cannyhandleit · 12/06/2019 06:00

In my family we have had a name passed down the males (well until I refused to carry it on with my son) but each person is called by a different shortened version. It can be confusing at times but it's actually quite funny!

cakeallday · 12/06/2019 05:55

Please don't. I have the same name as my dad. It's just been annoying and caused confusion the whole time. The downsides far outweigh the sentimental factor. Hope that helps.

thefraggleontherock · 12/06/2019 05:36

this it's a thing on my dads side of our family. Most of the males have one of 3 names. (big extended family, my nana was one of 8 so lots of aunties/uncles/cousins).

I quite like it and it's not really a problem. What you will find though is even though you can't shorten the name DH and/or DS will probably pick up nick names, so we have a lot of Big John, little John etc. So it just depends if that would bother you.

Cacacoisfarraige · 12/06/2019 00:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SleepingStandingUp · 12/06/2019 00:16

My DH dislikes it.
Just think of a new name!!

EdWinchester · 12/06/2019 00:10

Weird. Makes me think of that awful Paul/Baby Paul family on a reality show.

BrightSpells · 12/06/2019 00:07

My ex cheated on me and got someone pregnant.

When the baby was born I was quite upset, until I heard they gave his my ex's name. It's so stupid I was glad I wasn't associated with anyone that would do that 😉

Runkle · 12/06/2019 00:04

I just don't get it. Give him his own name and identity.

Eustasiavye · 11/06/2019 23:57

I think it sounds chavvy I really do.

lonelysleep · 11/06/2019 23:52

I think it's super cringe and wouldn't do it, Sorry OP!

WittyFool · 11/06/2019 23:50

I think it’s not a great idea - but also - will siblings get the same name also?

GreenTulips · 11/06/2019 22:36

Just reminds me of the Royal familly with ‘Baby David’

What’s happens to the second son? Do they just get their own name?

EL8888 · 11/06/2019 21:48

^😂

EL8888 · 11/06/2019 21:47

Apologies for being blunt but l think it's a terrible idea. Confusion every day, post misunderstandings etc. Culturally this is a thing for my background and it winds me up no end. Maybe you could have it as a middle name but yeah being honest this makes me cringe as well

Ironically l love my partners name but no it’s never going to happen

Deafdonkey · 11/06/2019 21:47

Our neighbors have this, father (60ish)and son (20ish) have the same name but use nn honestly the dad is Richard and the lad is Richie but forever for us (and probably everyone else who is too polite to mention it) they are Big Dick and Little Dick and it's very apt.