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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask DD2 to change her cat’s name

441 replies

busybarbara · 07/12/2019 17:15

I’m posting this on behalf of my DD who is too mortified. She’s expecting her own DC (my DGC) and had picked out a name that only a few of us knew. Let’s say it’s “Honey” (it’s not but just for example)

DD2 out of the blue has got a kitten and has named it Honey, of course.. Confused DD1 is mortified and has asked me to see if I can get DD2 to change the name of the kitten! AIBU to try to do this?

Yes I’ve seen all the “two names in the same family” threads and have no problem with it when it’s people but having the same name as an animal seems potentially offensive?

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 07/12/2019 17:56

DD1 needs to pick another name and never mention it again.

TweaksDadsHat · 07/12/2019 17:57

I feel like this might be a name liked by the ex/new husband, dd2 knows and has decided to get a kitten and claim the name to throw a spanner in the works... touché...

recklessruby · 07/12/2019 17:59

When I rescued my cat she was 4 and already named....the same name as me. They do come when you call them so if you need to change the cat s name do it asap.
However I sense an undercurrent here with dd1 ending up with dd2 s ex partner. How old are the girls and who ended dd2 and her partner s relationship?

wildcherries · 07/12/2019 17:59

DD2 doesn't know so let her have the name. She isn't being spiteful. A request to change the name would be, IMO.

The whole thing is a bit ew and soapy. No wonder the sibling relationship is awkward.

Alez · 07/12/2019 18:00

DD1 could have a word with DD2 about it. If DD2 refuses to change the kitten's name DD1 should just use it anyway. If they're not close enough for DD2 to change a cat's name for her sister, then it's very unlikely the baby and the cat will meet frequently, so what does it matter?

Fishcakey · 07/12/2019 18:01

Looking at the back story I bet she knew and did it on purpose. I would just find a new name - for the baby, that is

BloodyCats · 07/12/2019 18:02

I don’t see the big deal. We named one of our children the same name as BIL and SILs cat as we forgot it’s name.
It’s funny if anything.

MitziK · 07/12/2019 18:02

Think it might be best if you let sleeping kittens dogs lie and keep well out of it.

Bet it was the ex's idea, though.

LobsterQuadrille2 · 07/12/2019 18:03

Mine was the reverse situation. My cat was already seven years old when my DB announced that he and SIL were planning on calling his DD the same name. In the end it was her middle name and I still tell him how flattered the cat is.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 07/12/2019 18:04

This is really imaginative Grin

Waveysnail · 07/12/2019 18:04

Tell mortified dd1 to pick a new name. If dd2 is upset by dd1 marrying her ex then I wouldnt create any more friction. Esp if dd2 wants a baby etc

wildcherries · 07/12/2019 18:06

This is really imaginative I'm kicking myself that I jumped in.

DaphneFanshaw · 07/12/2019 18:06

My cousin gave her dd the same name as her sisters dog.
They just had girl Louise and dog Louise.
To be fair they didn’t ever have an awkward situation regarding men so everyone was really quite happy about it.

FloreanFortescue · 07/12/2019 18:06

Surely your DD1 can have the conversation herself?

diddl · 07/12/2019 18:07

I think you should tell your oldest to get over herself.

She's got her sister's ex, wants her cat's name-what next??

Chloemol · 07/12/2019 18:07

My niece has the same name as my dog, I had the dog first. Does it really matter

Miljea · 07/12/2019 18:07

Mortify: "cause (someone) to feel very embarrassed or ashamed.
"she was mortified to see her wrinkles in the mirror"."

Is she 'mortified' or angry?

DaphneFanshaw · 07/12/2019 18:08

Oh come on guys, it’s a Saturday night.
I want a bit of drama.

Boom45 · 07/12/2019 18:09

The cat will be dead before the baby is teenager most likely so it's not going to matter for long. I'd just leave it in your position OP and if I was your daughter I'd name my daughter the same as the cat. No one will care, not really, and if the sister fall out over a cats name then it's not really about the cat is it? (Might be about the baby-with-the-ex thing and they would've fallen out about that eventually anyway if it's a problem)

BercowsFestiveFlamingo · 07/12/2019 18:09

Well, keeping it in the family seems to be a theme Grin

diddl · 07/12/2019 18:10

"Is she 'mortified' or angry?"

I'd definitely say she's got cause to be mortified...

KerplunkyPants · 07/12/2019 18:14

So many friends have cats/dogs with the name Luna, now I only thing of it as a pet name. A human called Luna would seem strange.

plightofthealbatross · 07/12/2019 18:17

So from DD2's perspective, first her sister has taken, married and is having a child with DD2's ex. And now her sister wants to take the name of her new kitten as well for herself.

Charming family member there. Hmm

Tell DD1 to find another name. And never say anything to DD2 about any of it.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 07/12/2019 18:17

As a PP said, it's not offensive; confusing possibly, but it's just a name. When they're both tiny, they'll share scenarios such as wanting some milk or having a snooze/nap, but this will change as the child gets older.

If you're talking about one of them starting school, learning to drive and getting married, and about the other pooing in the garden, bringing you dead birds in her mouth and getting stuck in a tree, it will become more obvious.

This is why giving pets human names is not always a good idea. Nobody in the family is ever going to get upset because they wanted to call their son or daughter Tiddles, Rover or Fluffy.

QueenOfTheFae · 07/12/2019 18:18

Cant imagine they are close enough for it to matter

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