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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Using a name similar to a friend?

14 replies

LaurieMay · 13/03/2013 20:14

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.

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TotallyEggFlipped · 13/03/2013 20:17

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

WormCanner · 13/03/2013 20:44

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.

ditsydoll · 13/03/2013 20:48

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.

Shr0edinger · 13/03/2013 20:49

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.

WormCanner · 13/03/2013 21:47

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

neolara · 13/03/2013 21:49

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery....

Original poster
LaurieMay · 13/03/2013 22:04

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...

OP posts:
Shr0edinger · 13/03/2013 22:22

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

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

wannabedomesticgoddess · 13/03/2013 22:25

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

Tigresswoods · 13/03/2013 22:26

Isabella?

TheSecondComing · 13/03/2013 22:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Shr0edinger · 13/03/2013 22:57

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

TheSecondComing · 13/03/2013 23:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeeBopDingALing · 14/03/2013 09:58

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.

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