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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What would you think if an ex named his daughter your name?

100 replies

Itsnotforme · 28/02/2026 22:07

I have a an uncommon, unusual name.

An ex, well more of a fwb named his daughter my name. Obviously it was a few years ago after we’d finished.

I just wondered would you find this a bit weird, or would you be flattered, or would you think nothing of it?

Just wondering because when I named my dc Id get really put off certain names if I knew someone or an ex or someone I disliked.

Yanbu - it’s a bit weird
Yabu - he’s probably forgot you existed

OP posts:
Doggymummar · 28/02/2026 22:08

Nothing, I wouldn't know as I don't keep in touch with any

Fimofriend · 28/02/2026 22:08

It is weird

EvangelineTheNightStar · 28/02/2026 22:08

How unusual is your name? Are you talking about Tywla to Balagerthsla

janietreemore · 28/02/2026 22:09

I'd think that he liked the name, and so did his partner. They wouldn't name their child something either of them disliked.

TheMorgenmuffel · 28/02/2026 22:09

Id think he and his partner thought it was a lovely name and so used it.
I wouldn't be flattered because I wouldn't think they had named their child after me or anything.

DedododoDedadada · 28/02/2026 22:10

I think the mother normal has a say in the name choice so it doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Bobbie12345678 · 28/02/2026 22:10

I would think his wife liked the name and he didn’t think an old fwb was a good enough reason to put her off. Sorry. I feel like you are hoping to make something of it.

Vallmo47 · 28/02/2026 22:12

I’d think the mother of his child likely short listed the name and he then felt awkward to veto it on the basis it belongs to an ex. Don’t read into it. :)

Silverbirchleaf · 28/02/2026 22:12

I would have a ‘what the…’ moment, . However, I’d assume the mother’s liked it.

Eyesopenwideawake · 28/02/2026 22:14

My ex did, some 25 years later. It felt...strange but comforting (wrong word but it's late and I can't think of a better one right now).

Gingercar · 28/02/2026 22:14

I would just think he liked the name.

ItsStillWork · 28/02/2026 22:15

no one would name their baby after their partners ex!!!

chances are he mentioned the name, and she liked it but didn’t know where he’d heard it from and he’s never told her.

Missj25 · 28/02/2026 22:16

Itsnotforme · 28/02/2026 22:07

I have a an uncommon, unusual name.

An ex, well more of a fwb named his daughter my name. Obviously it was a few years ago after we’d finished.

I just wondered would you find this a bit weird, or would you be flattered, or would you think nothing of it?

Just wondering because when I named my dc Id get really put off certain names if I knew someone or an ex or someone I disliked.

Yanbu - it’s a bit weird
Yabu - he’s probably forgot you existed

I’d be flattered that someone thought my name was so nice , they named their child it 🤷🏻‍♀️😊

DisplayPurposesOnly · 28/02/2026 22:19

I have an unusual (ish) name, definitely for the time. I know where my mother came across it but equally Im not named 'after' the person.

Similarly if I had a daughter the name I would choose also happens to be the name of the wife of my ex. I wouldn't be naming my child after her.

marcyhermit · 28/02/2026 22:19

My name is very 80s and I haven't met a little girl with the same name in 20 years, so I would find it very weird!

TheRozzers · 28/02/2026 22:19

I gave my kid the same name as an ex. I simply liked the name. It was many years after we broke up, he was happily married with his own kids and there was no animosity or romantic feelings towards each other at all. I can see how it would be weird though. Entirely depends on your relationship.

hyggetyggedotorg · 28/02/2026 22:19

I’d be flattered that he obviously has no bad feeling about me but I wouldn’t think it means he’s still thinking of you.

I do wonder if his current partner knows it’s the name of an ex however 😬.

BookArt55 · 28/02/2026 22:20

I really think it depends how unusual your name is. Unsual names are more popular now.

Also, if he has many, many exs then he might have had to rule out 100 names 🤔 😉 so he might have given up on that idea.

Maybe he just remembers you not in an awful, horrible way. The name came up and because he doesn't link it to a horrible person it went on the yes list. I will never call my child the same name as one of my exs, used to love that name before I dated him 😄 also, I'm assuming a fwb situation requires no emotions, so he wasn't emotionally invested, so I don't think it's the same as if you had been in a committed relationship for a couple of years.

Itsnotforme · 28/02/2026 22:20

It is an unusual name, obviously I can’t say what it is unfortunately.

I did think probably his partner chose the name. I am very happily married so I’m not hoping there’s some unrequited love, I was just a bit surprised.

OP posts:
Nevermind17 · 28/02/2026 22:20

I’d assume he liked the name and his DW didn’t have a clue that it was also the name of an old fwb.

GingerPants · 28/02/2026 22:22

Maybe he’s completely forgotten all about you!

janietreemore · 28/02/2026 22:22

I wouldn't have any hesitation in calling a child after any of my ex's but they all had very ordinary names like John and Peter. I know lots of other people with the same name.

MovedlikeHarlowinMonteCarlo · 28/02/2026 22:24

I'd assume the mother liked it and he didn't think it was enough of an issue to protest. I think the mother usually picks the name so I wouldn't blame him.

Odellio · 28/02/2026 22:28

Didn’t realise I’d given my son the name of an ex FWB until I read this 😂

Cyclebabble · 28/02/2026 22:35

Up to them really. I would not rule out names because of past associations.

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