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Baby names

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

Original poster

My sister kind of stole my baby name :(

191 replies

Captainchaos8 · 01/11/2021 22:20

I told my sister a few months back that I really liked the name Judah for a boy. We were both expecting boys but she was dead set on calling her baby boy River so I thought I was on safe ground telling her my choice. Anyway she just came out of hospital and announced out tof the blu that her baby was to be Jude. I am completely gobsmacked and quite upset to be honest but I'm not prepared to cause a massive fuss and a fall out over a name. Anyway just wanted some advice, would you still call your baby Judah if your sister had named their baby Jude? Or do you all think I should just bow out graciously and go with my second choice which is Josiah or my hubby's first choice which is Theodore/Theo/Teddy?

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TitoMojito · 02/11/2021 08:13

I would just stick with Judah to annoy her. But I'm shitty that way Grin

Practicebeingpatient · 02/11/2021 08:10

Just call the baby Judah. It's not the same name but even if it were it wouldn't matter. Two first cousins having the same name is a very normal thing.

Grabmygran · 02/11/2021 08:06

Do you like River? Go with that and tell her you only went with Judah because she had taken your favourite name

lnsufficientFuns · 02/11/2021 08:02

Yes you absolutely have to tinkly laugh your way out of this OP

I have a sister like this and it’s the only way
(She did actually use my favourite girls name for her daughter)

I remember being a bit 🙄

diddl · 02/11/2021 08:00

I also thought of Jonah instead.

I prefer Theodore to Josiah but prefer Judah to both!

If you still love it then use it.

RobinsReliant · 02/11/2021 07:51

As other posters have said, be completely nonchalant about your sister’s name choice. When your baby arrives call him a different name. If she questions it say it was the name you planned all along.

I’m sorry this has happened to you...the names Josiah and Theodore are lovely.

Platax · 02/11/2021 07:44

As you have other choices you like, in a way she's played straight into your hands. If she mentions that Judah was your favourite name, you can just produce the tinkly laugh and say "You didn't really believe that, did you? Of course we kept our favourites quiet".

IggyAce · 02/11/2021 07:40

I’d pick Josiah, I work in a school and there are lots of Jude’s and Theo’s starting to come through school.

Brefugee · 02/11/2021 07:32

also yy to pp's suggestion to look at Jacob's other son's names.

thislifetoo · 02/11/2021 07:30

Josiah is lovely, personally I think the Theo route is so popular now it'll become one of those names that tons of children will have come school age, I still think it's a nice name but depends on what kind of name you'd like.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 02/11/2021 07:29

I way prefer your other two options, I would go with Josiah and there’s 4 Theodore’ son my sons year!

Judah sounds too similar to Judas IMO! Love Josiah

toolazytothinkofausername · 02/11/2021 07:28

No advice on names, but your sister did a truly horrible thing.

Bluntness100 · 02/11/2021 07:27

She’s done you a favour thay wasn’t a great name, and Josiah is likely to be turned to Josie as a pp said,

Theodore /teddy is a great name.

Myonlysunshine123 · 02/11/2021 07:27

I've never heard Josiah, that's a gorgeous name. Sister is a knob for sure, wait till she mentions the name and just act confused like it's not bothered you. And dont tell her stuff next time!!

Lasair · 02/11/2021 07:26

Your husbands choice is a much nicer name than Judah. Next time don’t tell anyone your name choices.

Brefugee · 02/11/2021 07:25

Theodore is lovely (tbh i didn't really like your first choice, but it was your choice so i get you're upset)

You can now bask in the knowledge that when your baby is born everyone will be cooing over yours and "ignoring" hers which may wind her right up (yes, I am petty enough that i would enjoy that)

2me2u2u2me · 02/11/2021 07:24

@ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba

your sister is a twat I'd find it very hard not to sing "Hey Jude" to her every time we speak from now on, just to piss her off (I think at least for a year)

I'd go with Theodore Judah

Love this Grin
dailydreamin · 02/11/2021 07:18

What about a little mix of both and call him Jonah?

neededafart · 02/11/2021 07:14

@Crumblinginside

She was really mean to do that. But being honest I prefer Theo or Josiah. Lovely names.
Agree with this
Inlander · 02/11/2021 07:12

I would wait until baby is born to see what name suits him. We had a name picked out for our baby but when she was born we felt like a different name suited her better! If you still feel like your original name choice suits him then go for it. Good luck OP!

StartupRepair · 02/11/2021 07:11

@yoghurtdaily so sorry for the loss of Elijah. Glad you are NC with such a cruel sibling.

SunshineCake1 · 02/11/2021 07:11

Judah is too close to Judas. Josiah isn't a name I haven't heard before and I couldn't use Theodore but either way your sister is not very nice, changing the name out of the blue indeed.

Call yours River!

FreeBritnee · 02/11/2021 07:06

Judah is a horrible name so she’s done you a huge favour.

SoupDragon · 02/11/2021 07:05

I think Josiah is far better. Then, as previously suggested, you can laugh if your sister says "I thought you were going for Judah" you can laugh and reply "No, that sounds too much like Judas! It was just a diversion."

Theodore is also nice but way more popular so there will probably be loads of Theo/Ted/Teddy names in his class.

Joystir59 · 02/11/2021 07:02

Josiah.