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Baby names

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Original poster

Would you use a second cousins name for your baby?

35 replies

beechive · 06/01/2025 15:39

32 weeks and really struggling for a name for our second boy. I have a cousin with an 18 year old son whose name I've always loved but just assumed it was off the cards since it's in the family. To be clear I never see these relatives and don't have a relationship aside from pleasantries at family gatherings which is rare anyway, it's been years since I seen. My mum however is very close to her sister (my aunt, who is the grandmother of the 18 year old) and sees her all the time so it's not like they are totally distant. Would you use a family name or would you totally write it off?

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Sleepygrumpyandnothappy · 06/01/2025 15:56

We used my DP’s cousin’s name. It was also an uncle’s name and a grandparent’s. We just liked it. Why would you write off a name just because someone else has it?

OzCalling · 06/01/2025 15:53

Personally no as we’re all quite close - there’s one name in particular that I absolutely love but it just wouldn’t feel right to use it.

legalseagull · 06/01/2025 15:52

I have done this, without even thinking about it or registering it! My cousin lives abroad so consequently I've only met his now adult son a few times. Five years ago I gave my son the same name. Didn't enter my head for it to be an issue. No one in my family (mum and aunt included) have said anything or seemingly even noted it

Apollo365 · 06/01/2025 15:48

Yes, a few in my family have the same name. There is a family name most of the boys use somewhere too, for middle or first name.
go for it.

Okayornot · 06/01/2025 15:47

My cousin did this (named her baby the same thing as my baby). It's not a problem . I haven't seen her in years!

Original poster
beechive · 06/01/2025 15:47

TabloidFootprints · 06/01/2025 15:44

Second cousin is the child of your parents cousin - to be honest I wouldn't even know what all their names were.

Or do you mean first cousin once removed - your cousin's children ? DH's mum was one of about 8 children and so was his dad, so he had about 35 cousins, so he has about 70 first cousin once removeds - imagine if we couldn't have used any of those names!

In conclusion yes, yes I would.

Edited

Sorry I meant my first cousins son!

OP posts:
MummytoE · 06/01/2025 15:46

Yes I would.. You hardly ever see them and there is a big age gap. Its not going to be a problem. Don't miss out on the name you love because of this

sel2223 · 06/01/2025 15:45

No I wouldn't but I see my cousins and their kids fairly often (once or twice a year). We are only a small family as well, I might feel different if there were loads of us!

Something similar - Emma/Emmeline, Bella/Isobel, Luca/Lucas for example - I don't think is too bad but not the exact same name

TabloidFootprints · 06/01/2025 15:44

Second cousin is the child of your parents cousin - to be honest I wouldn't even know what all their names were.

Or do you mean first cousin once removed - your cousin's children ? DH's mum was one of about 8 children and so was his dad, so he had about 35 cousins, so he has about 70 first cousin once removeds - imagine if we couldn't have used any of those names!

In conclusion yes, yes I would.

neverknowinglyunreasonable · 06/01/2025 15:39

No, I don't like my second cousins name