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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Too similar sibling names

313 replies

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 04:50

My daughter is Charlotte and i am expecting my second, another girl, due in October. Charlotte's middle name is Pearl and the new baby's would be Opal. I really like the name Colette and I think it goes really well with Charlotte with the similar structure but different soundings. I also like the names Chloe and Nicole but I would still strongly prefer Colette over them. Is it too similar?

OP posts:
CeeceeBloomingdale · 20/07/2024 06:58

I think they are too similar.

Catza · 20/07/2024 07:10

scalt · 20/07/2024 06:17

It’s true that many families do have members with matching initials, but remember that this can be inconvenient. For example, at school or hospital, they might both be “C. Smith”. Files on people can get mixed up this way. Someone looking on a database might automatically click the first one they see.

As an aside, I never understood the idea of children having the same names as their parents, and having to use the terms “junior” and “senior”.

Medical records display full name and we always check full dob and hospital number because there are usually dozens of Charlotte Smiths in the database.

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 20/07/2024 07:23

YABU considering there is a baby names board. And yes, they're too similar also.

Greenlittecat · 20/07/2024 07:23

I don't like it. Sorry 😞 Both names on their own are fine but I think it's too twee together. Especially each having a precious stone as a middle name, they sound like characters in a Jacqueline Wilson book to me. Sorry!

Not my children though, so if you like it name them whatever you want😊

foreverbasil · 20/07/2024 07:28

If you like Nicole and Colette what about Nicolette which a name in its own right.
Lettie and Lottie is a bit much IMHO.

Renamedyetagain · 20/07/2024 07:28

Not a fan, sounds like a 50 yr old..Chloe and Nicole are blah too.

So many timeless, beautiful names. Post on baby names FFS.

leopardski · 20/07/2024 07:28

Go for it! I have twins, you’d be surprised how many twin parents go for ‘matchy’ names (I’ve met countless Ronnie and Reggie’s now 🤣) - if you love the name, go for it.

ebadame · 20/07/2024 07:29

I do personally think the gem-based middle names are a bit gimmicky, especially in combination with the similarly linked first names. I would have a good think whether that is really the sensible thing to do, as it can be experienced in multiple ways. You probably think, how cute, emphasizing the sibling bond. But as the second child, I would eventually wonder if my name was just modelled on the first one (which it is!), which would make me wonder if my parents see me as the individual I am, instead of version 2 of my sibling. this worded my feelings better than I could. It's really not fair on the second child.

Niiina · 20/07/2024 07:32

I really like it! I'm also a fan of names sitting well together and I think the similarity works (they're barely even similar though, sound-wise they're distinguishable). So I personally think you've picked amazingly @MyBluntSloth - I think because I have a similar approach to names. Go for it and you seem very sold 😍

Charlotte Pearl
Colette Opal

Love it!

(Colette also a French classic!)

greglet · 20/07/2024 07:33

I like Nicole/Nicolette much better than Colette. I also don't think Colette Opal flows that well - the stress on the last syllable of Colette and the first of Opal makes them sound a bit clunky.

Velvian · 20/07/2024 07:33

I would steer clear of names starting with tge same letter. DH and his 2 brothers all have the same initial and it is a bit embarrassing for them, as well as having issues with all 3 getting post for Mr M Brown.

LadyFeatheringt0n · 20/07/2024 07:33

I think they have a similarity of sound that would put me off but its your kids. They could end up shortened to Lottie & Lettie. They are both perfectly nice names so its not really on us - if you like that name & you don't think they sound similar its your choice.

Purplecatshopaholic · 20/07/2024 07:34

I dont think they are too similar at all! Unless you have a strong accent that affects pronunciation? Lovely names.

POTC · 20/07/2024 07:36

Too similar for me, shouting that up the stairs they will never know who as they don't listen until the last sound of the name!

RuthW · 20/07/2024 07:41

Too similar, sorry. Nicole is better than Chloe.

Madcats · 20/07/2024 07:45

Well I suppose that it would save on name tapes!

DD is towards the end of her school years. I've encountered one Colette in her mid 50's and about a dozen Charlottes (half are always 'Charlotte', otherwise "Charlie" or "Lottie"). You might end up with a "Lottie" and "Lettie"!

Using the same initials will increase the likelihood that parcels/post/records will get muddled up.

I don't recommend Nicolette; it will remind too many people of the nicotine chewing gum that people (used to) use to quit smoking.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 20/07/2024 07:45

when I say both names as I usually would but end with a 'let' sound. I tend to say 'char-let/lut' rather than 'char-lot'

I also would avoid the post situation with all the 'Miss C surname'. Letters in the post are still generally important or exciting so you don't want constant confusion over who letters are actually for

dbeuowlxb173939 · 20/07/2024 07:50

They're a bit similar but not too similar, they sound like they match. Personally I prefer Charlotte and Nicole

Supernova12345 · 20/07/2024 07:52

YABU, for reasons listed previously. They'll likely be shortened to Lottie and Lettie by others, which is even more similar sounding.
Any post can be confusing, not everyone likes to use their middle name, but you'll be forcing it on them to have to use whilst they're growing up.

Why is it necessary to have the same initial? The fact that you will only consider a 'C' name says to me that you're only picking your favourite name beginning with the letter C, and not because Colette is your all time favourite along with Charlotte, and they happen to both start with that initial.

There are literally thousands of names to choose from, but if you absolutely must have a C name, then how about Catherine or Caroline for example?

Also, you have to consider how your Daughter's will feel having similar names if you go for Collette.

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 07:53

We live in an area where mail has your full name in it so its not a problem for us! My main concern is for them to have separate identities but I really love both names! If sound-wise it isnt too similar then ill go for colette.

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 20/07/2024 07:53

They're too similar.

If the age gaps are quite close, that can often overlap them in social groups (e.g. a couple of school years apart, or same Brownie pack) and it makes it harder for them to be remembered and identified as individuals if the names are similar looking/ phonetically similar.

Years into parenting, it's easy to blurt out the wrong name anyway, either when tired or just that you've snarled at child A and that name sticks when you talk to child B. If the child has a clear identity, it's easy to shrug off, but if they already feel like they have a merged, indistinct identity, it's that little bit harder.

Colette is far too similar to Charlotte, and Chloe looks too much like a short form as it contains all the same letters in the same order.

I once had a parent on the phone who didn't know which of his 3 "A Smith" children a hospital letter was sent to as they were all under paediatrics, and he had to phone up every time to find out which child to bring. Probably not possible these days, but we ended up adding a fake initial onto the admin system to make it more distinguishable without having to phone up every time.

Nicole and the middle name is a pleasant complimentary name with enough distinction of its own.

Alwaystired23 · 20/07/2024 07:53

I don't think they sound too similar, but I really dislike the name Colette. I don't think there's any 'soft' about it.

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 07:54

Supernova12345 · 20/07/2024 07:52

YABU, for reasons listed previously. They'll likely be shortened to Lottie and Lettie by others, which is even more similar sounding.
Any post can be confusing, not everyone likes to use their middle name, but you'll be forcing it on them to have to use whilst they're growing up.

Why is it necessary to have the same initial? The fact that you will only consider a 'C' name says to me that you're only picking your favourite name beginning with the letter C, and not because Colette is your all time favourite along with Charlotte, and they happen to both start with that initial.

There are literally thousands of names to choose from, but if you absolutely must have a C name, then how about Catherine or Caroline for example?

Also, you have to consider how your Daughter's will feel having similar names if you go for Collette.

The shortenings aren't a problem for us as well as where we live shortenings aren't common

OP posts:
WaltzingWaters · 20/07/2024 07:54

It is similar but I don’t think too similar to use. My vote would be Chloe (only because I much prefer the name myself which doesn’t matter!), but it sounds as though you’re quite set on Colette and I’d say it’s okay to use.

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 07:55

Supernova12345 · 20/07/2024 07:52

YABU, for reasons listed previously. They'll likely be shortened to Lottie and Lettie by others, which is even more similar sounding.
Any post can be confusing, not everyone likes to use their middle name, but you'll be forcing it on them to have to use whilst they're growing up.

Why is it necessary to have the same initial? The fact that you will only consider a 'C' name says to me that you're only picking your favourite name beginning with the letter C, and not because Colette is your all time favourite along with Charlotte, and they happen to both start with that initial.

There are literally thousands of names to choose from, but if you absolutely must have a C name, then how about Catherine or Caroline for example?

Also, you have to consider how your Daughter's will feel having similar names if you go for Collette.

I don't think similar names will lead to negative feelings?

OP posts:
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