Sister annoyed as new DD name too similar to her DD

[Cantfindaname123]

DN is 5. I barely see Dsis and DN as we live quite far away (think 4 hour drive), so we only really see each other at christmases, weddings and finerals. DN is named Isabella.

Our DD (2 months) is called Arabella. I was aware that it is quite similar but nobody owns a name, it isn't even the same name anyway, and we barely see each other.
When we announced name Dsis was quite upset, we 'stole her child's name' etc.

It has now been almost 3 months and Dsis is still not talking to me, she's got DM on her side, DM keeps telling me how much I've upset my sister, and couldn't I have picked a different name blah blah.

AIBU to say I can call DD what I like, it isn't even the same name, and she can get a grip?

I don’t know why she would care. My brother is named Chris and a few years later, my dad’s sister named her son......wait for it.....Chris. Nobody batted an eyelash. My niece is Emma and my daughter is Jemma. It’s never been an issue. I really don’t get why your Dsis is making an issue out of it. YANBU

My name is the same as my cousin's bar one letter. My nan named me and whilst not very imaginative I don't mind it (I like the meaning). I don't think my aunt or cousin mind. I would not choose such similar names to my nieces and nephews but I would hope to have a closer relationship with them than you do. Both names are nice if a little long winded. Enjoy your precious lo, hopefully your sister will get over her annoyance soon.

Eww Arabella sounds like a cats or a cows name, your sister should be thanking her lucky stars she didn’t think of it

And what's with all the utterly rude people criticising the OP's daughter's name? It might not be your choice but to actually criticise it is disgusting. This is an actual real beautiful little baby you're talking about and the OP's daughter into the bargain. Some people should take a look at themselves.

It makes me think of all girls boarding schools not cows.

It’s a bit weird as it’s very similar. But some people do that. I have friends who called their daughters Eva and Elsa. Weird!

It’s really not that close - isa vs ara are completely different sounds. This is one of those times you tell your sibling to get the fuck over themselves!

My sister and I have daughters who are adults now. But she still expresses annoyance that I named DD Katie and hers is Catherine. Her DD has never used Kate or Katie as her name, but she still says I "stole " the name for my DD. Some people just need to get over themselves.

Two totally different names. So what if they are similar? She is being very precious and pretty ridiculous - plus the arrival of a lovely new niece should trump her bruised feelings.

She probably feels that you stole one of her back up nicknames. Your DD is more likely to use Bella than Arrie or Ara. I know someone who chose their dd's name because it had several options of nickname as she got older. But that's her problem, not yours.

I wouldn't have used it as it is close but she is over-reacting. YABU if you use Bella as a nickname though.

I don't think you are being unreasonable at all, & am surprised at the amount of pp who think you are. Nobody owns names & to get your panties in a bunch cause a family member or friend likes the same name & calls their child that seems so entitled, self-absorbed & childish!

There was a case of stolen name in our family. Aunt one lost her father, George, before she had children, but said straightaway that if she had a daughter, she would be called Georgia.
It was something that was talked about every time there was a new arrival in the family.
Fast forward and aunt one and aunt two are both pregnant with aunt two due two months before aunt one.
And you've guessed it,, aunt two, being an evil cow, called her daughter Georgia.
Lots of tears and quiet resentment.

It's very similar and I can see why she is a bit put out but to stop talking to you is an extreme reaction.

I have a family member who named her daughter a very similar and to my dd - first name only has two letters different so while different names are very similar and she gave her the same middle name. Neither names are family names in our family (My dd was named after family on DH side). I've never said anything about it to her but did discuss it with her sister once and left it at that. I try to take the compliment (her other child also has a similar sounding name as my child and when born she did comment that they sounded nice together).

Years ago it was more common to have cousins called the same thing as first born son being named after the dad/grandad was the norm. My granddad went by his middles name as his first name was the same as many others in his family.

I do think this is a tradition that is not so common now though which is probably why it grates a bit more.

My Dsis has a Laura, I named my DD Luna. No issue. Two beautiful names. Similar but different. Congratulations

BrendasUmbrella My cat is called Arabella and DD calls her Arrie.

Op YANBU! Arabella is a lovely name and is totally different sounding to Isabella. Your DM and DS are being ridiculous!! but I can’t really say any different as my DD’s middle name is Isobel and my cat is called Arabella! 😂😂

I love both of my sisters very much and would just be so pleased and excited they'd had a baby (I cant wait to be an Aunty!). Even if they'd used the same names as my DC, it would be a bit confusing at family events but I could never stop talking to them over it.

Arabella is a horrible name. So prissy.
But they aren’t that similar for cousins.

Did posters really say “ panties in a bunch” ? Literally the worse expression I have ever heard.

It’s “knickers in a twist” obviously.

OP?

I have an Eleanor and dSIL had a baby 2 months later she has called Ella.

Not a problem at all here.

I have known twins called Annabel and Marybell. It was not a problem.

YANBU.

Your sister needs to get a bit of perspective

YANBU at all. Different but similar names... not a problem at all for cousins.

And I think Arabella is a beautiful name. (And even if I didn’t I wouldn’t come on here and criticise is - what a mean thing to do).

YANBU.
I really don't understand why anyone would think they have copyright on a name. And as for worrying that the two names share some of the same letters! Given that we only have 26 to choose from, where names are longer than about four letters, there's a chance that some will be common to both.
The names are not that similar, imo, different sound at the start, potentially different nns.
OP, you have chosen a name that you (and oh) love. Don't let your sister and mother put you off. As others have said, at the moment Isabella is very popular - four in just one year group in the school where I work - does your sister intend to take all those parents to task for stealing 'her'name as well?

As has been mentioned nobody owns a name and they are different but also very similar.
Your sister has over reacted by not speaking to you but you have mentioned that you don't get on in general.

If you were both part of my family I'd tend to think that you were the one that copied her and I think that says more about you than her

These names are not the same and your “D”sis and DM are being ridiculous. Why on earth is she NC over a name? She sounds like an idiot (as do those unpleasant posters who are saying horrible things about the name Arabella, which is a lovely name, as is Isabella - 2 different names!!!). Frankly, given the history of favouritism in your family, I would let them get on with it and focus on your own little family. You really don’t need this grief in your life. I think you may find that life becomes much more tranquil without them in it.