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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to call baby the male version of my name?

80 replies

mikado1 · 04/06/2015 15:48

DS2 on the way and we both find boys' names very difficult to come up with. We both really like the male version of my name on its own merit and absolutely not as a 'call him after me' effort but would it seem ridiculous? Think Georgia and George, Michaela and Michael.. I figure his name won't be linked permanently to mine and it's a lovely,strong name-much nicer than mine imo.

OP posts:
PaperdollCartoon · 04/06/2015 19:10

My aunt is called the feminine of her fathers name and I literally only made the connection recently!

I think it's fine as long as you can work around any nickname issues. If you like it use it!

anon33 · 04/06/2015 19:14

I know a family where the son has the male version of the mother, and the daughter has female version of father.

Think husband and wife: Elaine/Donald
son/daughter Ian/Donna

SylvaniansAtEase · 04/06/2015 19:17

Samantha/Samuel - fine, as long as you are never called Sam
Jacqueline/Jack - ok, just, if you are a Jackie
Francesca/Frances - Ok if you are a Chesca, Fran - umm not really.

The rest - really, no.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 04/06/2015 19:23

I wouldn't do, especially if nickname would be same.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 04/06/2015 19:25

It's Samantha / Samuel isn't it?

ragged · 04/06/2015 19:30

I wouldn't but I think it's absolutely fine if others do.
(Although Nigella is really ugly)

BikeRunSki · 04/06/2015 19:32

funkypeacock Nigel Lawson's mother cultivated Nigella flowers (Love in a mist). She wanted to call her own child Nigella, but didn't have a girl, so settled for Nigel. When she had a granddaughter she persuaded Nigel to call her Nigella.

carabos · 04/06/2015 19:32

I don't think it matters, particularly if the child is of the opposite sex. Having said that, I met a chap through work whose DC (boy and girl) were named after him and his wife Grin which is a little unusual.

carabos · 04/06/2015 19:34

Oh, and my friend, let's call her Katherine, insists that she didn't name Katie, her DD, after herself and indeed it "never occurred to her" that anyone would think that Confused.

LokiBear · 04/06/2015 20:14

I don't think it matters. Why is it that people think your situation is odd but naming a boy after his father is fine? It's completely up to you. I teach twins who are Eric and Erica. Unusual, yes. Still, their choice.

FunkyPeacock · 04/06/2015 20:17

I didn't know that BikeRunSki

Bizarrely I really hate the name Nigel but love the name name Nigella!

prepperpig · 04/06/2015 20:18

I know a family who have a joe and joanne and a family who have a charlotte and a charlie (both sets are siblings not parent and child)

YodaIAmYo · 04/06/2015 20:21

I think its lovely! Go for it :)

PlumpingThePartTimeMother · 04/06/2015 20:22

I wouldn't. There was a couple on tv the other day and the mum was Jenna, the son was Jensen Grin it did make me think she must be quite self-centred!

CycleChic · 04/06/2015 20:55

I like the name so much (and equally, am so stuck for alternatives)
Or perhaps you're stuck because you like it so much? If it's Jacqueline/Jack, your son could be John or Ian (Scottish for John) instead. Or even Jonathan.

Timri · 04/06/2015 21:45

I know of two sibling sets of Christina and Christopher.
I say do it!

spidey66 · 04/06/2015 21:50

My brother has the male version of my Mums name. It was never an issue, I can't remember it being mentioned. He wasn't named after her, in fact he was named after my dads brother, who had died a year before.

blondegirl73 · 04/06/2015 21:55

I think it's a bit odd but it's your choice.

When I was small we knew kids - siblings - called Paul and Paula which my brother and I thought was the funniest thing we'd ever heard. I also know an Andrea with a brother called Andrew, and a Michelle with a brother called Michael. That's way weirder than what you want to do.

Welshmaenad · 04/06/2015 22:20

My DS' name is my full name with one letter dropped off.
I didn't even realise this until about 12 hours after he was born, staring at a balloon with his name in whilst off my head on morphine. I'm an eejit. It's a good name though!

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 06/06/2015 16:27

My sister and I both have names which are two female equivalents of the same boy's name. It's not too bad but shows lack of imagination I think...

Original poster
mikado1 · 06/06/2015 20:46

Thanks all, appreciate the different views! I would say it's not lack of imagination because it hasn't been put forward because it's similar but because we like it-my dh hadn't eventthought of the likeness! Hmm

I will keep thinking but haven't been completely put off!!

OP posts:
DancingDinosaur · 06/06/2015 20:49

My friend did this, Alexandra / Alexander. I thought it was a bit strange at the birth announcement, but dont even notice now.

Sidalee7 · 06/06/2015 21:29

My grandparents had 5 children, the eldest boy was named after the father, the youngest daughter after the mother. I don't think it's odd.

mr405 · 06/06/2015 21:49

I really don't find it weird! Maybe I would briefly make a connection but I certainly wouldn't waste time thinking "She has done what? That is terrible. I feel so uncomfortable. How ODD AND SELFISH." Grin

Also all of the names you have listed are lovely!

DancingHat · 06/06/2015 22:04

My DH is named after the male version of his grandmother and it's a nice link. It's different enough not to be too obvious but a nice nod to her. I'd say go for it.