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?

“Copied her”??? What are you - 10? IT’S A DIFFERENT NAME!

I don't see a problem at all. From when we started thinking about names there was one boys name I loved and dh and I had settled on that from when I was pregnant if the baby was a boy. It's exactly the same name as dh's cousin we hardly see them so that makes no difference, and no one in the family seemed to mind, at least if they did they never said anything.

It's a totally different name!
My SIL named her daughter the nickname of my daughter, think Annabelle/Anna and then her next daughter had my daughter's middle name as her name with a different spelling. None of the girls have got muddled up or confused over their names and none of us adults mind at all. (We just all have good choice when it comes to names lol)

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

But that's a different situation - the parents obviously liked matchy names!

Haven't read the full thread, but have a good friend lets say her name is Amy. Her sister is Samey. Way more similar than your situation.

If I were your sister, I'd be cross. The two names are 5/8 the same. Out of all the names in the world to choose....

What’s wrong with matchy names !!!!!

My brother wants to fall a name with 4 letters and I’m having a daughter at the same time and she will have 4 letters and only the last letter is different..

Was a total coincidence but... I thought it would be nice for cousins of similar age to feel matching and have something in common...

Now I’m rethinking how much SIL is seething (she is the type).

They're completely different names, with different origins and meanings*, as well. Never seen such a ludicrous discussion on here "copied her" - no, copying would be naming both babies Isabella shortened to Bella or Issy or Izzy.
*In Latin Baby Names the meaning of the name Arabella is: Derived from 'orabilis' meaning yielding to prayer. Famous bearer: Lady Arabella Stuart was cousin of King James VI of Scotland. Also meaning beautiful, loving, lovable, graceful.
*A variation of Isabel, itself a variation of Elizabeth, meaning "devoted to God" in Hebrew. England, France, Portugal, and Hungary all had royal Isabellas in their courts. Nicknames: Bella, Izzy, Izzie. Well-known Isabellas: actress Isabella Rossellini.

I thought you were going to say DN is called Isabella and you’ve named your daughter Isabelle! Arabella is a completely different name. She is being very unreasonable.

Strange you have done it aren't you board of hearing the Bella element she has a right to be a bit pissed off.

But to be fair they are two well over used names especially arabella.

What’s wrong with matchy names !!!!!

There is nothing wrong with it if that's what you like. But I guess if you are doing it on purpose then both parties should agree?

There is nothing wrong with it if that's what you like. But I guess if you are doing it on purpose then both parties should agree?

I sort of just informed him.. I didn’t think I need him to agree as that’s my child and I chose the name after a lot of shortlisting and nothing to do with him!

It’s fine to be mildly miffed about this sort of stuff, but if the kids don’t live together and aren’t sisters then who cares?! Especially as your sister is being SO ridiculous as the name isn’t the same!

From that I was expecting it to say DN is called Isabella and you had chosen Isabelle.

That would be similar. I don't see that Isabella (Issy) and Arabella (possibly Bella) are the same or even close enough to be bothered to have a feud over.

Two of my aunts (sisters) called their sons the same name. They lived about 15 mins away from each other and saw each other regularly. Never caused any fall out - they just agreed they both loved the name. Your sister needs to grow up.

I think they are very similar. I have one of those for one of my dds and wanted to use the other, and decided they are just too similar.

I think you could have been a bit more imaginative. That said, your sister is overreacting.

.

YOUR kid you can choose any name YOU are content with!
Gosh there are worse problems in the world!

Your mother and sister need to move on ..

🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈

I wouldn’t have done it as they are very similar, but she is over reacting.

Hmm, they are quite similar names. I personally wouldn't have chosen one so similar.

But equally, if I was your sister I would have just made a comment at the time then got over it. It's quite cute really, 2 cousins Isabella & Arabella.

Thanks everyone for the comments and congratulations!
Obviously name isn't going to be changed now as she is nearly 3 months but I just wanted to get a feel for if she was over reacting or not.

As don't have a NN yet, ive been thinking of ones other than Bella, I like Abby but I'm not sure how well that works, maybe Ari?

The Arabella I know actually uses 'Belle' as a NN.

Ari is a really sweet NN.

Why not call her by her full name? I think Arabella is a lovely name and those I have known have either used their full name, or "Bella" as a nickname - if your sister's child is going to be nicknamed "Issy" then there's no way the two girls are going to be confused for each other, anyway.
Congratulations on your new baby, by the way!

Sri is lovely, Bella is very common (I know 7 Bellas) all nicknames