Can/have you used the same name as an uncle-auntie?

[urterriblemuriel]

My due date is fast approaching and we've still not decided on a name.

My BIL is Edward and my DH would love to use it too if we have a boy, but use the nickname Teddy. I really like the name and nn but don't want to upset BIL or do it if it's seen as not the done thing.

What do you think?

I don't really think it's an issue. Would your BIL mind?

I would think your BIL would be flattered - but why don't you ask him?

Placate bil by saying you're paying homage. I know that some cultures forbid using a name in the family if another with that name is still alive.

I was named after my aunt. I was Baby M and she was Big M. Not surprisingly she objected. After a few months my parents started using my middle name.

I've never felt like my first name belonged to me or understood how you could call a child by one name got several months and then just change it.
Plus many places don't get that you use your second name

Thanks for replies. My DH thinks it wouldn't, but suggested we told him it's on our shortlist to sound him out. We didn't really want to announce name until after birth, so I think that may be the best way around.

We also only see BIL every couple of months, so name confusion would be rare.

Oh the joy of debating names with your OH!!

The great thing about Edward is the variety of nicknames - so your DS could be Teddy, Bear, Ed - whatever - and that could be different to BIL.

Edward is a family name on my DH side - BIL, FIL are called it. My DS has it as a middle name as DH is younger than his brother so if he had a son would have called him Edward. He hasn't had children so the name carries on through our DS. I think it's a fab name! FIL and BIL have different shortened versions of the name that they are known by.

My cousin has the same name as my df, never ever been an issue. My auntie did ask my father if he minded, he didn't and there's never once been a confusion between the two people in the 30odd years since my cousin was born.

If anything, I'd imagine he'd like it. Should give them a deeper bond right from the start.

The only issue I would have is if OH didn't want to - it's HIS brother, so it might be a bit weird for him. As he's okay with it though, I see no problem. Especially as they'd commonly be called different things.

You could use Theodore to get Teddy instead? or Edmund, Edgar, Edwin etc.

My niece has my name - I think it's lovely and call her mini-me. We're very close and it causes no confusion as my name is used as a shorter version - think Joanna / Jo or Emma / Em. The distinction makes it easy. My sister is pregnant and considering one of our other sisters names if she has a girl. Two of my sisters have my hubby's name on their list if they have a boy. It really isn't an issue, if anything a compliment.

How about honouring your BIL by using Edward as a middle name?

My DS is named after my brother who is 3 years younger than me. It took a bit of getting used to when they were both in the same place but they have slightly different short versions of the name and we also refer to them as BigName and LittleName.

Totally fine! Michel Roux and Michel Roux Jr are uncle and nephew, so it must be ok

Yes my dd is Charlotte as is my sister, but dd is Lottie to family members whereas my sister isn't. We also live on different continents and see each other about 3 days a year so it's not confusing at all..

I wouldn't go for the same name as a cousin though as same generation can be confusing.

I unwittingly did. A close family member is called Katy and it never occurred to me (slightly stupidly!) that she was in fact called Catherine, DD's name. I never intended to call my DD Katy as a nickname but ended up doing. Tbh I wouldn't recommend it as I feel like I have cheated DD out of an original name a bit! I did consider something similar to Charlotte/Lottie though. I think that's not confusing and rather nice.

My Dsis is Katie, and we planned on using Kate if this one was a girl. Not as a homage, just because we love the name. I think it is best to use a name you love.

My brother has the same name as our Uncle, never seemed to be a problem. I do get confused on Facebook occasionally as they have the same surname too :)

Is it your first?

I think if you call the first the same as an uncle that is fine, I think when the person I know did it with her second son it smacked of 'this is my favorite'.

DS is the 4th generation of his name - my Grandad, uncle, brother and now son all have the same name. Only my Grandad is no longer with us. My Mum loves that her Dad, brother, son and grandson all have the same name. My brother (who is also DS's godfather) was definitely chuffed about it as he didn't want to call his son the same name (which I wouldn't do either). It's a bit of a joke in our family that my brother is called "Big " as he's a shortarse. childish but funny