To be annoyed a friend called her baby the same as mine?

[tottryornottotry]

So a girl I worked with for 3 years (in a small team), who I've kept in touch with and we have mutual friends has called her baby the exact same name as mine. Both first and middle name. They are 9 months apart. It's quite an unusual name too. I feel really annoyed that my daughter had lost her originality somehow?!

[PotteringAlong]

Google the name. I can be certain that it's not that original.

[RaeSkywalker]

Don't worry, chances are that you won't be in contact with her in 20 years anyway. Will the DC go to the same school?

[squoosh]

Stop being so precious, and grow up.

Shaddap bossy boots.

[nanetterose]

Of course it is annoying. Unimaginative of your colleague too.
There are so many blooming names out there - l'd be embarrassed to be so obvious and lazy!

[PalaceResident]

Totally agree Lilly I'd be annoyed. Yeah sure I'd appreciate that I don't have exclusive rights to the name but I'd be hacked off!!

[tottryornottotry]

Maybe I feel strongly about it because I categorically didn't want a name that I knew someone else (ie a friend/school mate) had used but I get it that other people will have the same name somewhere in the world! I guess it's because it's the same first and middle name too! It's not hyphenated. It's outside top 50 and I haven't met anyone else with it until now...

[PalaceResident]

Also I don't really understand how everyone else can't empathise. Both my DC have names which aren't unusual or unique but aren't commonly used. If someone I was in contact with used either I'd feel like they were copying me and would be thinking "think up your own names*. It's like when you buy a fab dress and someone announces "where did you get that I'm going to buy it" and do!

[NewtoCornland]

OMG ya.so.nbu! When I started my new job 2 years ago I discovered another member of staff had a daughter with the exact same name as me......I was soooo pissed off, couldn't get over the ghoul of her!!

[ShmooBooMoo]

Made me think of this quote: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Yeah, you don't own a name but apparently you do have good taste It is a bit sad to copy verbatim though, but some have no imagination!Try not to let it bother you. Mutual friends will be more than aware that you had your daughter first.

[NotYoda]

I agree it's a bit embarrassing for her to have chosen the same name.

I think I might focus on that rather than get annoyed.

[ShmooBooMoo]

NewtoCornland Do you mean guile?

[NotYoda]

I think she meant gall

[NewtoCornland]

Yes that's the one! Bloody phone, I need to start proofreading

[NewtoCornland]

She could have been paranormal.....I've never met her

[Lweji]

It would be rather funny if it turned out that your colleague had mentioned the name to you at some point and you had copied it without realising.

I had decided my first born son would be called one name even before my sister got pregnant. I remember mentioning it to family. She had a son way before me and gave him that name.
People might well have thought I had copied it if I had kept that name. I didn't only because they are cousins.

[SirChenjin]

I think that despite what parents who spend ages searching for the special name, no-one actually gives a fuck what you called your offspring - they all have far more important things to worry about. . You don't own the name and so what if she did copy you? Every child is unique and special - regardless of its name. Find something else to get het up about.

[ShmooBooMoo]

Ah, yes, it will have been gall...that would make more sense
If she were a he, OP should kick him in the gallies

[OnTique]

This always get said...you don't own the name, no big deal etc etc.

Ok you don't own it, but she's gone and used the first and the middle name?? It would blimmin well annoy me

[ShmooBooMoo]

NewtoCornland

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

YANBU, I'd be irritated too. Oh well, theres nothing you can do about it.

[Justbeingnosey123]

Can you find out if either name has a special meaning to her? Maybe she had a reason to pick them and didn't want to change when you did. Won't change the outcome but maybe you wouldn't feel copied?

[shinynewusername]

Your colleague probably doesn't even know the middle names are the same. I don't have a clue what any of my friends' DC's middle names are, though I am sure that they all told me at the time of the birth.

[Lovecat]

My horrible psycho ex-SIL 'stole' my name that I'd wanted for DD (I'd discussed names with her thinking she had finished her family, not realising she was already pg with the baby of the man she left BIL for).

It irked me greatly until years later when my nephew joined FB and posted a pic of him and his step sister. Turned out his mum had spelled the name in a laughably stupid manner (think Stephanie spelled Stefonknee or somesuch), which cheered me up immensely :o

It's irritating but there's nothing to be done. At least you were first

[GraysAnalogy]

You don't own the name but it's pretty bloody weird that someone would chose not one but 2 names that a friend had already named their baby. YANBU

[nonline]

Not unreasonable to be irritated.
My dd has an unusual but not unheard of name. I know there are others in the world; there are famous people with the name (no influence!) but I wouldn't expect to often meet another and would be mightily pissed if a friend chose same name.