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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

BIL gave dog same same as DS

136 replies

bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:23

Not sure if AIBU or precious so am prepared to be told I am!

BIL (DH brother) recently got a dog and has given it the same name as our DS. Aibu to be irked by this? Name is common boys name (think Jack) and not a name you'd associate with a pet. Surely out of the millions of names out there you would choose one that isn't the same as your nephews?

I can't imagine naming a pet the same name as a close child relative?

OP posts:
ItsMyPartyParty · 29/12/2023 14:48

It’s really weird. Not something to get worked up over, but definitely weird.

Mumoftwo1312 · 29/12/2023 14:48

Yanbu, I hate this modern trend of giving dogs human names like Max or Bella.

In my opinion dogs should have dog names like Rover or Butterscotch or Fluffy.

Arrestedforit · 29/12/2023 14:48

Arrestedforit · 29/12/2023 14:46

Well, I used the same name for my DD that my parents had used for one of their dogs.
Dog now long dead, DD suits her name.
All well

Show quote history

To be fair, I think the dog had died before my daughter was born.

Original poster
bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:50

Fannyannie · 29/12/2023 14:40

I see your point - it’s a bit of a weird thing to do -

My husband & I have had the honour of our names being used on the next door neighbours Guinea pigs- by their kids. A long time ago. I still laugh about it now, your post reminded me.

Edited

Kids are funny! If it'd been the kids who had named the dog don't think I'd have given it much thought... but it was definitely DBil

OP posts:
WetBandits · 29/12/2023 14:50

Mumoftwo1312 · 29/12/2023 14:48

Yanbu, I hate this modern trend of giving dogs human names like Max or Bella.

In my opinion dogs should have dog names like Rover or Butterscotch or Fluffy.

Nooooo!

My cats have human names. We considered calling our dog a human name but nothing suited him, so he’s named after a character from one of our favourite films.

SutWytTi · 29/12/2023 14:50

That is really weird. Is he usually weird?

FastingBitchFace · 29/12/2023 14:51

MeMySonAnd1 · 29/12/2023 14:45

Are you still in speaking terms?

Show quote history

All three of them have been dead a while now. Sadly the dog wasn't the first to go, I hated that thing. Grin

pigsDOfly · 29/12/2023 14:51

A lot of people give their dogs human names nowadays so BIL giving his dog a human name is nothing unusual.

It does seem a bit odd tbh to give the dog your DS's name but given the way a good owner will view his dog, caring for it and loving it and seeing it as a member of the family, could mean this is almost a sign of affection towards his nephew.

I think it's best to let this go.

Your DS might be thrilled his uncle named his dog after him, especially if they're close.

randomstress · 29/12/2023 14:51

My sis had a dog who had the same name as my son, it is a good name. She didn't choose it it was a rescue dog.
The dog died a while ago but it was never an issue.

Original poster
bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:52

pigsDOfly · 29/12/2023 14:51

A lot of people give their dogs human names nowadays so BIL giving his dog a human name is nothing unusual.

It does seem a bit odd tbh to give the dog your DS's name but given the way a good owner will view his dog, caring for it and loving it and seeing it as a member of the family, could mean this is almost a sign of affection towards his nephew.

I think it's best to let this go.

Your DS might be thrilled his uncle named his dog after him, especially if they're close.

This is a nice way to think of it, and a viewpoint I hadn't considered. Thank you

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 29/12/2023 14:52

What's your relationship with BIL usually like? It's a bit odd but maybe he has a valid reason?

Strawberrycheesecake7 · 29/12/2023 14:52

Did he definitely name the dog himself? Rescues tend to come with names already and some dogs are even named by their breeders. If he did choose the name it is very odd but I wouldn’t let it bother you. Your son will probably think it’s funny that he has the same name as his uncle’s dog and it shouldn’t affect his life at all. I do agree it’s a weird thing to do though.

Mumof2NDers · 29/12/2023 14:53

WetBandits · 29/12/2023 14:50

Nooooo!

My cats have human names. We considered calling our dog a human name but nothing suited him, so he’s named after a character from one of our favourite films.

Show quote history

Our dog is Buddy after a character from one of my favourite films 😀

Original poster
bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:54

Ok think the consensus is that it is a bit weird but nothing to get worked up over, and I'm certainly not going to create any drama IRL over it. Think I'll just have to let it be. But glad to know from the responses I'm not being completely unreasonable!

OP posts:
Littlegoth · 29/12/2023 14:55

Doggymummar · 29/12/2023 14:35

My neighbour has cats called mark and Lola and a dog called Toby my dog is Millie. My sister's is Evie. My cat is Oscar. Lots of pets have people names. My name is often used for a dogs name too

Yes they do, but is your child also called Evie, or is your niece also called Millie?

I agree with OP. It’s either weirdly not occurred to BIL that he is giving the dog the same name as his nephew, a dig, or BIL just isn’t very imaginative.

Original poster
bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:55

Strawberrycheesecake7 · 29/12/2023 14:52

Did he definitely name the dog himself? Rescues tend to come with names already and some dogs are even named by their breeders. If he did choose the name it is very odd but I wouldn’t let it bother you. Your son will probably think it’s funny that he has the same name as his uncle’s dog and it shouldn’t affect his life at all. I do agree it’s a weird thing to do though.

He definitely named it himself

OP posts:
QuietlyWonderful · 29/12/2023 14:55

If I were your DS, I'd be sitting when DBIL said sit - paws up and begging - and I'd be running to the door when he said walkies. I'd totally take the piss!

Original poster
bippitybippity · 29/12/2023 14:56

QuietlyWonderful · 29/12/2023 14:55

If I were your DS, I'd be sitting when DBIL said sit - paws up and begging - and I'd be running to the door when he said walkies. I'd totally take the piss!

Haha that is a great idea

OP posts:
Neriah · 29/12/2023 14:57

I only know 4 Jack's. Three are dogs, and the other is a dog walker.

Seriously, there are more important things in life to be bothered about.

MonsteraMama · 29/12/2023 15:01

One of my dogs has the same name as me. It's the name she had at the rescue and it seemed mean to rename her when she'd already learned it. So we share a name. It's weird, but I don't mind.

Have you asked him why he chose the same name as your son? I'd be curious as to what he'd say.

RockandRollers · 29/12/2023 15:03

I don't get what's so weird?
Nobody owns a name, we have many children in our family who share same middle name, and we've had so many pets between us over the years all mostly with people names l am surprised this hasn't happened to us, and if it did it wouldn't bother me in slightest.

Jom222 · 29/12/2023 15:03

FastingBitchFace · 29/12/2023 14:42

My parents did this, but they used MY name for their dog.

WHAT omg

GrandHighPoohbah · 29/12/2023 15:07

I think that's a pretty odd thing to do, it just seems so unnecessary. Not only does he have all the other human names to choose from, but also all the made up doggie ones! Definitely weird, and it would annoy me.

Goldbar · 29/12/2023 15:13

It's odd, OP.

Of course you need to let it go and I'm sure you're not exactly going to have a big confrontation about it, but it's very strange behaviour.

I'd just call them "Human Jack" and "Canine Jack" (or whatever it is) whenever you meet up.

GagaBinks · 29/12/2023 15:16

Yeah that's a really weird thing to do and I'd definitely ask some questions about it.