Best friend using same baby name...

[gnlight]

My best friend is pregnant and recently asked whether I would mind if she used the same name as my DS 1 (it is classic, top 10 name, very popular). I was actually flattered she asked and not at all surprised as we have always shared similar taste in everything.

We are unlikely to ever 'hang out' in the same baby circles and our children won't go to the same school. We probably won't even live in the same city, so would see each other a few times a year.

I honestly don't mind at all and believe that no one 'owns' a name and that friends should be able to use whichever name they like best, even if it has been 'taken'. I understand not using the same name within families (eg cousins having same name), but between friends, to me this is ok.

What are your thoughts?

I might think twice if the children are the same age and we'd see them all the time but if I really loved it, I'd use it.

Even if it was a family member who used it.

They're not going to spend their lives together.

Polite of her to ask

I'd take it as a compliment!

If it's a top 10 name then I don't think you would have a leg to stand on if you were going to get arsey about it. So it's good that you aren't! Nice of your friend to mention to you beforehand to save any awkward reaction. I don't think it will be a problem.

I think she's lovely for asking and you sound like a very good friend (and person) for being so generous and easy-going. If it's a popular/classic name it's not a big deal at all and may actually be kind of sweet. Your DS will probably get a kick out of a new baby sharing his name . I actually did have a cousin with the same name as me and I can remember being absolutely delighted about it (I was 7 or so).

I hope she's going to ask the other 5,000 couples who are going to give their son the same name!

I would think it weird for a rare name but not for Top 10, no.

:-) Thanks for your replies. I should have said my reason for asking is that I often read on here that people can't use names because they have been 'taken' by friends, and I just wondered whether I have a different view to most!

If the name is James it's fine.

If the name was Æthelstan it would be weird.

It's very nice of her to ask.

I had a family member who got pregnant before me - we used to have discussions about names all the time and my boys name was 'Lucas'.

Bear in mind we weren't 13, this is real discussions. I was just married and wasn't ttc just yet but was within 6-12 months away from trying.

She got pregnant, had a boy and called him Luca.

Seems silly I know but I was like - really? 1 letter away!

Oh well. When I did have my DS I gave him a diffident name and I love it so it all worked out well. He suits his name so well.

I used my best friend's dd's name for my Dd - dh and I chose it before we married and before I met my friend but dd was born after we became friends. Her dd was 11 so wasn't an issue. I didn't ask as we had another name chosen but when dd was born we both knew the other name was the one. Friend and friend's dd thought it was a huge compliment.
Another friend has dd1 but after my Dd2 was born she asked if she ever had another girl would I mind her stealing the name as she loved it as soon as she heard it and wished she'd thought of it for her dd1. I was really flattered.

When I had my ds1, three of my friends had sons at the same time with all babies being born within 4-5 months
My son is the only one who has a different name
The other three are all called the same thing!
I thought this was most odd! I have since drifted away from this group but think the others still do things together!