Using the same name as a friend

[deliakate]

DH and I found a name we agree on (Isabella), BUT it is the name of the eldest daughter of some people we met recently, and have since become quite friendly with. Not best mates at all, but still getting to know them. I feel a bit awkward about using the same name..... eg if they had a son and called him the same as our DS, I think I'd feel a little weird......
But, its a common name right - no. 18 last year. DS's is not in the top 100 even. WWYD?

I think it would be fine to use the same name :) It's not as if you are copying them, it's a popular and pretty name which you both happen to like.

Personally - I would not, but I see no reason why you should not. Isabella/Isobel type names are very popular, and they must already know loads of others. So do it - especially if it is the only name you agree on. Isabella has lots of nn too, so maybe you could use a different nn?

I agree with tummytickler. I wouldn't do it. Plenty of posters will say 'nobody owns a name' and yeah that's true but that doesn't mean that it won't be a little awkward, and maybe confusing on occasions. It's also really popular. More popular than #18 I would have thought.

What about another Italian name that is less popular? Giulia? Susannah? Lidia/Lydia,

Or Isolde or Ismene or Penelope? There are so many beautiful names.

Imo the idea of NAMING something/someone is to IDENTIFY them as uniquely as possible. For that reason I would not choose a name that is already used to identify my friend's child (as well as thousands of other girls). There are so, so many beautiful girls names that aren't as widely used already.

deliakate You and your dh can choose to call your baby whatever you like. You are not copying anyone if you are choosing a name that is already out there. If people think you are copying just say something like " Oh we choose the name ages ago, we just loved it!?

If you think it will be a problem for you, then don't use it but if you like it, or rather if you feel it is the name you really want then go ahead.

But by the same token you should not be too upset if someone you meet ever uses the same name as your DS has.

I've told this story before but my boss?s wife and I were pregnant at the same time. I know it sounds weird but I kind of thought she would like the same name as me! I talked to my boss before babies were born and said a few names I liked including my intended name. He said nothing but his wife had the baby six weeks before me and named the baby the same name I wanted, I feel very sure she had already decided on it, I think we both came to it seperatly. He said to me he knew his wife liked it when I mentioned it to him too. I never thought of not using it. I left the job years ago and my boss, his wife and both our dds never see each other these days, although we are in touch by facebook. So any worries I might have had about it being a problem were totally unfounded.

When i was expecting there were 6 others in my work place expecting at the same time 5 were due girls, 1 was a boy and mine was a we don't want to know. If my husband had his way she would have been called Lily, the same as the other 5 girls in my workplace. It's hard to keep track of which Lily/Lillie they are talking about and they are all going into the works nursery.

I am glad I stood by my gun's for something different. Have met a few other's with DD's name in passing, but she's still the only one.

It's hard when a name is so popular to not be seen as copying, but the truth is, there will likely be someone else in her nursery/playgroup/school etc who is called Isobelle. You can try different spelling. If you both really like it why not, you might not be friends later down the line and regret making the decision to change 'just in case'. You may also have a different nickname, if you don't like Izzy, try Belle or Bella.