One family: Tom, Tommy AND Thomas?

31 replies

pinkorblue21 · 13/02/2021 21:01

Firstly, I know "no one owns a name" but people can have strong opinions.

So, this is the situation;

Paternal cousin has a DS15 called Thomas, but nn Tommy.
Maternal cousin has DS5 called Thomas. Always Thomas, never shortened.
I'm the common denominator cousin, the other two know each other but not well. They would see each other rarely, usually weddings etc within our middle family. They'd be aware of each other's children, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't know names.

I'm now pregnant with DC1. The only boy name DH and I can really agree on is Thomas, nn Tom.

So in my family there would be a Tommy, Thomas and Tom. That's weird isn't it? Potential to offend/raise eyebrows on both sides of the family?

Do I need to strike it from the (very short) list?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BestIsWest · 13/02/2021 21:25

We have the same names across 3 cousins. No one cares.

KEG05 · 13/02/2021 21:23

My partner is a James but his family call him Jamie. His son is a James and his nephew is a Jamie. It was a bit confusing at first following who was who but its fine. Call your baby what you want to xx

Ellieboolou33 · 13/02/2021 21:20

No I wouldn't use it.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 13/02/2021 21:20

So the children would be 2nd cousins? I think that's fine - if they only see each other at occasional family weddings, then it's hardly going to cause confusion on a daily/weekly basis (and Thomas is such a popular name anyway, each lad is bound to meet/know quite a few other Thomas/Tommy/Tom's over their lives).

JemimaTiggywinkle · 13/02/2021 21:09

Personally I wouldn’t name my child the same name as my cousin’s son (if I’ve understood the description correctly).

And I would find it odd if my cousin named their child the same as my child. I guess it is a common name, it would feel more like “copying” if it was a more unusual name.

Will either of them have the same surname as your DS?

Suitably · 13/02/2021 21:05

Don’t worry, we have 2 James, a Jim and a Jimmy (all names are James on birth Certificate). A great grandad was also a Jimmy but he has passed away

Unflip

1 2

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.