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Original poster

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:
Catza · 20/07/2024 07:56

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.

They are two separate people with two separate names. They will not be joined at the hip for eternity. It really makes no difference even if the names are somewhat similar. They will still have separate identities and, after the first 5-7 years for their life they will have separate friends, separate set of acquaintances, educational settings, interest groups... The chances fo them being introduced as a set are pretty slim after a while.

FineFettler · 20/07/2024 07:57

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 05:52

DH and I are set on both girls starting with C!

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Why?

RunningAwayToJoinTheCircus · 20/07/2024 07:57

Even if they are "too similar" as children, it's not like they're joined at the hip as they grow up!
Two of my grandchildren have "matchy matchy" and pretty obscure names (think like Rain and Beau) but as they get older, they won't be a pair so to speak, they aren't twins.
Don't worry about it!

lovemelongtime · 20/07/2024 07:58

So you all for advise, everyone tells you they are too similar, but you say you still want those names. So go for it. Why bother asking? I also think they are too matchy matchy. How about Coral ?

Original poster
MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 07:59

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.

What has similar names got to do with being individuals at school? They will be 2 school years apart so in a different cohort anyways. I am genuinely curious

OP posts:
DoThePropeller · 20/07/2024 07:59

I think they are both too similar yet also don’t flow well either, Nicola is better but if you want to have both beginning with C then that won’t work.

Cora? Clementine is lovely. Camille?

FineFettler · 20/07/2024 07:59

It'll be awfully confusing in future years if you are getting letters or parcels addressed to Ms C Sloth. Give the child a name with a different initial.

TerrorAustralis · 20/07/2024 07:59

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 07:55

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

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My older sister and I have first names that have the same first and last letters and the same number of syllables, like your choices. I hate it. I wish my parents had been a bit more imaginative and not given me a name so similar to my sister’s.

Original poster
MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 08:00

FineFettler · 20/07/2024 07:57

Why?

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We think it makes a lot of sense to start with the same letter and we also both love C starting names

OP posts:
Whoopsmahoot · 20/07/2024 08:00

I knew twins Anne-Marie and Marie-Anne. 😵‍💫

Supernova12345 · 20/07/2024 08:00

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 07:55

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

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But that's your opinion only. You can see just how many posters are voting and advising you against using both names.

Original poster
MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 08:02

lovemelongtime · 20/07/2024 07:58

So you all for advise, everyone tells you they are too similar, but you say you still want those names. So go for it. Why bother asking? I also think they are too matchy matchy. How about Coral ?

Not everyone tells me they are too similar its about half/ half. I feel like the consensus here is it looks similar but doesnt sound similar but i would like more perspectives before deciding

OP posts:
ElleLeopine · 20/07/2024 08:02

Have you considered Coleen?

Crystallizedring · 20/07/2024 08:03

Well you can't have Nicole if you want them both to start with letter C. I think Chloe would be better though. Otherwise they're going to sound too similar

Goslingsforlife · 20/07/2024 08:03

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 08:00

We think it makes a lot of sense to start with the same letter and we also both love C starting names

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It doesn't make sense. At all. How on earth does it make sense?

It just looks like you loved Charlotte and you try to use a copycat name as Charlotte is so great. And the middle names of Pearl and then Opal are a little bit daft. They are individuals. Treat them as such. also name wise.

StormingNorman · 20/07/2024 08:04

They are too similar and a bit of a tongue twister to say together.

Charlotte and Chloe
Charlotte and Claudia
Charlotte and Cleo
Charlotte and Caroline
Charlotte and Cordelia
Charlotte and Cora
Charlotte and Cosette
Charlotte and Cayetanna

Original poster
MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 08:06

ElleLeopine · 20/07/2024 08:02

Have you considered Coleen?

No sorry we want something classy and elegant!

OP posts:
VJBR · 20/07/2024 08:06

Not sure why you asked for opinions as you aren’t listening to any advice. You seem determined to go ahead with Colette whatever.

Supernova12345 · 20/07/2024 08:08

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 08:02

Not everyone tells me they are too similar its about half/ half. I feel like the consensus here is it looks similar but doesnt sound similar but i would like more perspectives before deciding

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Where are posters implying the names just 'look' similar?
People are saying they're too similar, and by that it means in both looks AND sounds. People have said that when you're shouting upstairs it'll be difficult to know who you're shouting to.
That reasoning is not about how the name just looks.

Original poster
MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 08:08

VJBR · 20/07/2024 08:06

Not sure why you asked for opinions as you aren’t listening to any advice. You seem determined to go ahead with Colette whatever.

I am listening to advice there seems to be a mix of opinions here. I am also considering Annette but DH would prefer something starting with C

OP posts:
BurntOrangeAutumn · 20/07/2024 08:09

I think they're both lovely names & compliment each other nicely - love the middle names too.
I don't think they sound too similar.
Go for it & congratulations! Good luck with the birth mama 💐

Supernova12345 · 20/07/2024 08:10

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 08:06

No sorry we want something classy and elegant!

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Coleen is hardly and different to Colette!
Are you being genuine?

VJBR · 20/07/2024 08:10

MyBluntSloth · 20/07/2024 08:08

I am listening to advice there seems to be a mix of opinions here. I am also considering Annette but DH would prefer something starting with C

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Camilla. Totally different and really pretty

BurntOrangeAutumn · 20/07/2024 08:12

BTW people on here love to hate on baby name choice so please take what people say with a pinch of salt.
I've seen my own child's name talked about on one of the worst name threads 😂🙄 and my daughters name is actually lovely & we have had nothing but compliments on it irl & it very much suits her.
Most people on here seem to veer towards names like Catherine, Emily, Mary etc etc.

HowIrresponsible · 20/07/2024 08:12

Don't do it. My mum gave me a name with the same initial as her. By the time I was old enough to get post it was constantly her opening my post as she often didn't notice Ms vs Mrs.

Once she even took my poll card by accident (before the days of photo id) and voted in my name therefore I was turned away from the polling station and not allowed to vote.

Colette is also a bit naff compared to Charlotte.

There are plenty of nicer names.