Can I call dd my boss's name?

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

Lovely boss, worked there for years, quite a close knit team. Even if I don't go back after mat leave I am friend's with some of my workmates and see them socially and am likely to maintain some sort of contact with boss.

Her name is one that we both like but discounted because it felt a bit arse-lickey. However, dd has latched onto this name and really loves it. All her dolls and toys are called this name and she keeps asking if her baby sister can be called it. Ordinarily I'd nod and smile and ignore but its a name that we liked anyway and it would be nice to let her feel like she has a say. She's nearly 4 btw.

What do you think? Ok or arse-lickey? I'm just thinking of the announcement email that I send round to work

I don't see why not, you could always say you had an aunt with the name if anyone questions it.

Of course you can! Your boss will be your boss until either one of you moves on. Your daughter will be in your life a lot longer!! Go with it if you, DD and DH love it!

If i were your boss i'd be chuffed to bits!

I think this is fine - I have actually considered my boss' name for my baby (obviously because I love it rather than as a suck up gesture!) but DH doesn't like the name. Go for it.

It's fine.

Thanks :)

I've asked someone who worked with this person for years but has now left and she doesn't think it's daft. I just can't quite get past it although if it was anyone else on MN asking the same question I'd say exactly what you've all said...

Of course you can. No problem at all.

I was worried that our absolute favourite name was a colleague's name, and felt it would be really weird. However, we went for it anyway (having 'asked' her if she's mind us sharing her name) and so glad we did. I never went back to the job anyway!

Can we ask the name? Just because I'm nosey and love names!

Helena (Helen-a)

:)

Lovely. Mine is Julia - similar I think.

My dd that is, not my name.

I loved Julia too but DH wasn't sure.

Well, Helena is fab. Have you got others on your list, or is this 'the one'?

Helena is really nice. Go for it!

I think you should go for it. If you don't you will regret it and in a few years time when she is no longer your boss you will wonder why the hell you didn't use it!

I don't see the problem. I love the name Helena btw

Don't worry about arse licking if you really like the name. In a few years you may not be in contact with any colleagues, but you will always have your baby.

Where I once worked the vice chair's wife scheduled the c-section of her first DC to be on the same day as the BIG BOSS's birthday. Now that's what I call arse licking. Big Boss could be quite generous with b'day presents when he felt inclined.

Helena is beautiful.

It also has some great Nn like Nell, Lenny and Lena. Obviously some people hate nn (I am a compulsive nicknamer!), and Helena is great by itself and not too long.

Yes, just ignore the fact that you know someone with the name, boss or not. It's a classic name (there's a Helena in Shakespeare) so your inspiration could have come from many sources, including the mythical aunt.

I would be very flattered if somebody gave their child my name. I wouldn't lie, I would just say you love the name.

My sons both have the same names as one of my close colleague's two boys. It certainly wasn't deliberate: DS1 has a family name - eldest son of eldest son etc, was fairly certain that would be his name. And for DS2 I didn't realise (or forgot? pregnancy brain..) this was the same as well but wouldn't have put me off, it was hard enough finding a name DH and I could agree on.

Anyways doesn't bother my colleague nor me. It's a name for life you're choosing, just cause it happens to be someone else's shouldn't be the top consideration.

Use it if you love it. Your DD will be your DD forever and your boss will only be your boss for a finite amount of time.

I love it nicknamed as Nell.

Well we'd sort of decided on Susannah but dd going on about Helena made me rethink it. I really don't know...

I love susannah-wanted it for dd with nn Sukie but went for Joanna in the end my cousin's dd has just had a Sophia-lovely names go for Helena if you like it best or could have Susannah Helen maybe...