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Baby names

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Original poster

Why do siblings names have to 'go' together?

36 replies

sarahsyrup · 04/09/2009 21:15

What am I missing here? When I said my name choices at work, the girls I work with instantly said yeay or nay, for which ones went with my son?s name!

I don't get it. Seems your name is only said with your siblings names for really a pretty short part of your life, hoping you live a long life! And mainly your name stands alone.

What if you marry someone and your names don't go?

Is it just so it flows nicely off the tongue for the parents? Because I don't see that as a very good way to name someone!

Thoughts please....

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cat64 · 04/09/2009 21:46

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LionstarBigPants · 04/09/2009 21:41

I know a family who named their son and daughter Paul and Paula (not twins) - did they really think that one through?

We are currently in a naming dilemma for DC2. I have to admit to taking my DDs name into account because we are going to be announcing them together for some time (until they leave home?) and I think clashing names would sound odd.

MrsVik · 04/09/2009 21:35

I don't think sibling names need to flow beautifully or anything, but I think they should be a similar 'type' of name. I probably wouldn't call a little boy 'Cornelius' or 'Ignatius' or something, only to call his little brother 'Bert'. I think that's the kind of thing that could really encourage sibling jealousy, or a feeling of unworthiness etc.

But apart from those extremes, or when the names are actually terrible together (like...Bert and Ernie or something) then I think it's fine to choose names that don't sound prefect when said together.

Original poster
sarahsyrup · 04/09/2009 21:35

Yeah, I think I basically agree Pink, I was just trying to analyse it. I read an article that said the first name you pick sort of sets the tone, and as silly as that sounds, I can see that it's true. Like it would be weird to have 3 biblical names and then Coco, or something like that.

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PinkTulips · 04/09/2009 21:31

i have to say, i do find it a bit odd to hear a family of names that just sound peculiar together... our neighbours have 5 kids and 5 very differant names and it does sound strange.... can't exploain why though and you're right, it makes no sense and is a bit silly!

I still picked names that sounded good together though

Original poster
sarahsyrup · 04/09/2009 21:28

Angel - that's funny A.Plant, but not as bad as somebody I know who is thoroughly in love with the name Isaac, and their surname is Hunt. It's boardering on cruel. She cannot give up Issac though....crazy.

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Original poster
sarahsyrup · 04/09/2009 21:23

Midnightexpress, that's a good point, I've never heard of names that together sounded like food poisoning. But that's got to be rare hasn't it. I think most people are just imagining themselves saying their kids names, and it's more about them than the kid as per what choosy said.

What about all the families with step brother and sisters, where names haven't been initially thought of together, I wonder if the kids give a monkeys if their names 'go' or not. Know what I mean?

OP posts:
angel1976 · 04/09/2009 21:22

I don't think it is a MUST that siblings' names go together but it's a nice plus... Someone at work was telling me today about his sister and how she has 3 DDs from her first marriage named Lucy, Lily and Sarah (or something similar). She then went on to have 2 DS with her second partner and he was really posh French so her 2 DSs' names are Gaius and Gala-something. I think that's kinda cruel as it pretty much separates the siblings into two groups.

I come from a culture where there is a very fond preference for weird English names and also for siblings to have names that 'match'. I have cousins called Royce and Joyce - no kidding!

Also, SIL went out with someone with the surname Plant and with her first name initial, she would have been A. Plant if she married the guy!

midnightexpress · 04/09/2009 21:17

Well, we have a Sam, and considered Ella for a girl, but when we heard them together 'Sam and Ella', we just couldn't. We had a boy anyway.

Mamazon · 04/09/2009 21:17

well i guess it would seem odd if you had a Tarquin and a Chardonnay.

not sure if there are names that don't really go though.
i mean they may not be obviously similar in style but a name is ajust a name surely

choosyfloosy · 04/09/2009 21:16

Yeah I think you're right - and that's a change of mind for me, because I've always thought of sibling names together and considered how I thought they 'went', purely as an expression of their parents' personalities and preferences.

Thank you for a mind-opening topic!

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