Using a name similar to a friend?

[LaurieMay]

We would like to use a name for a daughter due this summer that is very similar to a name used by a friend for her daughter a couple of years ago, but which is a different name in its own right. Say my friend's daughter was called Rosie, it would be like us calling our daughter Rosa. I have known this friend for a couple of years and see her maybe once every few weeks. Our families are not close - she is a friend I made once my son was born.

Would you be bothered about this? My instinct is that it's fine. It's also quite a popular name, so it wouldn't be like I had got the idea from them iyswim. Do you think I should mention it to her before the baby is born - we aren't planning to tell anyone else our names.

I say it's fine to use the name. If you're worried, ask your friend, in confidence, if she minds you using it.

No, don't say anything. Just go ahead and use the name.

I bet in most cases, people who worry about this sort of thing aren't even in touch with the other five years down the line.

In the not-so-distant past, people took it as a compliment if you chose a similar name to them. My grandmother was actually named after the daughter of her best friend - at the friend's own suggestion.

I'd still use it and just not mention it, I'd only ever really worry about something like this with a family member ie if a grandmother was going to have a Rosa and Rosie as granddaughters iyswim.

It depends. Are they both popular names? Eve and Eva? or Sophia and Sophie? That's to be expected when you pick a popular name. It's not copying.

If the names are unusual like Meryl and Beryl then you are copying.

How is Meryl copying Beryl? Two totally separate and different names.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery....

Ha, ha neolara - yes I agree. I wouldn't mind if someone I knew used my DS's name, I would be flattered. Both names are popular, so I don't feel that it look like copying, plus we had planned to use the name for DS if he had been a girl before I even knew my friend.

Thanks for the replies everyone - I think we will go ahead and use the name (at least it'll be at the top of our shortlist) but I may just mention it to my friend nearer the time, not really asking permission but just explaining that we always loved the name and hope she doesn't mind...

ha ha WormCanner, I love your sense of humour. Yes they are totally different. Not 80% the same!

If I had a Meryl and a close friend called her baby Beryl that would not be funny at all

I have had a friend mention to me about using the -ie version of DD2s -a name and I dont mind at all.

Isabella?

I like Francis. Does il nuovo papa put ye off? or will Francis have a resurrection now?

I would do it. If it's a popular name like Evie/Eva, Elle/Ellie or one of those then it's to be expected there are going to be lots of them.