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Baby names

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

Baby name same as pet

56 replies

fizzypencils · 25/04/2023 17:11

We are expecting our first baby in July. I think we must've considered close to every name in existence, we keep going around in circles. A lot of the names we like, but don't love.

The only name we both love is the name of our cat - Hugo. I had initially ruled it out for the reasons below but we can't seem to shake it. Cat Hugo is a house cat and doesn't have many friends, but close family & friends are aware of his name being Hugo. As is he, not that he ever listens. He is only 2 so hopefully will be around a while.

I'm having major regrets about calling Cat Hugo, Hugo and wish we could use it for the baby. When asked for opinions, close family have said it wouldn't bother them, and to either keep Cat Hugo as Hugo or call him something different. I get that he's unlikely to care. If the baby/anyone else suggested that they're named after the cat I'd have no issue in putting them straight that we just loved the name, it's not a case of being named after a cat. I'm more concerned about whether people will find this a really weird/unacceptable thing to do. Part of me feels like it's hard enough to find a name we both love, and we should go for it, and the other part just feels as though we should leave Hugo as the cat and go for one of the other names we reasonably like.

The other names, for info, are:

Max - although we (myself & DP) both had a childhood dog called Max. Both deceased.
George - really like it but not sure it's the one.
Rory - nice but too common where we are
Henry - also nice but I don't love it

Help!🚨

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
fizzypencils · 25/04/2023 17:21

@neverknowinglyunreasonable 😂 well that would certainly be one way to make sure it’s not a top 10 name!

OP posts:
Kranke · 25/04/2023 17:20

My sister has a dog called Hugo, and I’ve another friend with a rabbit called Hugo, so to me it’s very much a pet name!! I’d pick a different name, there are so many names out there!

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 25/04/2023 17:19

Could you call your baby Whiskers instead?

LondonSamantha · 25/04/2023 17:17

I would rename the cat :) if you're intent on using the name Hugo, it'll be the easiest thing to do here x maybe name Cat something similar like Ludo etc x

thunderandsunshine01 · 25/04/2023 17:16

I think if you are gonna do it then you need to change the cats name. I understand why you are considering it if it’s the only name you feel a pull to, but for me personally I wouldn’t be able to disassociate as Hugo (the cat) is already a part of the family. For this reason I would probably have vitoed Max as well.

Spidey66 · 25/04/2023 17:14

I think it’s odd having a pet the same name as your baby. However given the cat doesn’t respond to it I’d give the cat a different name and call the baby Hugo.