Name dilemma

[prettygirlincrimsonrose]

Just had 20 week scan and found out we're having a boy. Which means I need to actually address a dilemma. DH and I have both liked particular boys name for long time, think it came up in early relationship conversation so maybe 8-10 years ago. Then my second cousin was given same name (6 years ago). If we didn't see them much I wouldn't see it as a problem, but he (and rest of lovely family) live in same city. So at the time I thought we probably couldn't use same name, but he's been known by particular short version since he was little, and not what we'd use (so if name was William we like Will but cousin is known by everyone as Billy) but obviously still same name. Got another possible name so if too odd having same name could pick that, but more attached to first one.

Not telling other people name or sex so just wanted other opinions, would this be ok/odd/risk annoying cousin?

Ask cousin.

But fwiw unless it's a very uncommon name only weirdos would have an issue. It's a thing to link you, not divide you!

My sister is Georgia and have a (first) cousin George and now my cousin has named her son George too! All on one side of the family lol. I think it's fine xxx

I think it's fine My friend has two cousins (different parents) called Kathryn and Catherine! And both are called by their first names, no NNs. No-one seems confused, apparently when talking about either one. And if you are going to use a different short form, I can't see there would be a problem.

It's absolutely fine, especially since you're planning to use a different shortened form, so there's no room for confusion at all.

I know several first cousins who gave their children the same names. They are fairly common names. In one case, the children were the same age and went to the same schools, they had different middle names and surnames (it seemed a bit odd at the time). Say, one was Grace Amanda Smith and the other was Grace Danielle Taylor. The other ones are of different ages and are more common names along the lines of Jack and Harry. Nobody seemed to mind too much apart from the ones who were very close in age.

It's fine. Don't start consulting anyone, nobody owns a name.
Billy and Will, give off a completely different vibe.

Thanks everyone, thought I might be worrying unnecessarily (bit of a habit of mine!). I suppose cousin might want to be known as other shortened version when he's older but if that happens so be it. His mum's pretty laid back but might have quiet word with her.

If it's as popular as William I don't think you need to ask. It used to be very common to have the same names recurring throughout the family tree.
If it's Marmaduke-Arlo perhaps mention it.

Agree with pp. If it's a popular name then I think it's fine. It's only a little odd imo if it's unusual and/or they'd have exactly the same first and surname.