Too matchy for twins?

[moggle]

Mulling over names for our boy-boy twins due soon. We are as sure as we can be pre-birth that they are non identical if that matters.
So question is, are Rufus and Rowan too matchy for twins? I am aware they have very similar meanings too, I’m not so fussed about that. I’m also not too fussed about having more than one person in the family with the same initial (also my name starts with R too...)

I think they're okay, I rather like Rufus and Roman though, they seem to carry the same clout, strong and masculine. I find Rowan softer, more of a nature name.

Lovely names.

I think they are both lovely names and not too similar.

I think they're ok together.

We tried to avoid names that had the same initial as it would get confusing when shouting them out - and we are glad that we did. Also, we wanted them to be more individual so gave them two different initials but gave the younger twin a letter that comes earlier in the alphabet so that he would be first (there is sometimes emphasis on the older twin, twin a, twin 1 )

But nice names whatever you choose and congratulations!

Great names!

Thanks :-) I never thought I’d choose two names starting with the same initial for sale sex twins but I do like them both so much. Another option is Rufus and then a more popular name that we really like, perhaps Edward or Henry, but I would feel bad that one would be probably one of 2 or 3 in his year and one probably the only one... (I don’t know which one would think they had the worse deal, haha!)
I’m not a big fan of Roman sugar but I know what you mean about Rowan being softer ... it wasn’t on the table at all because I thought DH didn’t like it but turned out he just didn’t like it for a girls name which is how I’d previously brought it up

Gorgeous names.

I think it's fine. They both begin with the same letter, but sound nothing alike.

I think they are lovely names.

We are also having two boys, albeit identical.
One consideration we have had is in giving them the same initial is that when they are older, they would both be Mr R Surname with the same address and date of birth etc.

It'll be tricky when they receive letters, at the doctors etc. But I do like the names.

Nice names but I think accepted wisdom is not to give twins names starting with the same letter for the reasons given above. Or, make sure that everyone including banks, tax people etc know to use full names on envelopes.

When mine were small they had quite a few things with their initial on - I remember pencil pots, purses, Christmas tree decorations, welly pegs and keyrings. It was easy to know who owned which one - wouldn't be so easy with R and R.

They're really lovely. Even though they both start with R, it works.
It won't be that tricky. My kids' post from NHS/schools/etc. have always had their full names, not initials, so I wouldn't let a 'same letter start' put you off naming them such very fine names. I really like your choice.

To be frank, my eldest is nearly 16 and in all of my years of raising the kids, I can honestly say they get very little post. It's not as if you'll be inundated with post for 'R. Surname' on a weekly basis. And anyway, as their parent, you'll be the one opening their post up to a certain age. I wouldn't sweat the small stuff. I have a friend with three boys (not triplets!) whose names are Joseph, Jonathan, and Jack. It's just not been a problem.

Yes must admit I hadn’t thought of the extra issue of same initial and same DOB, thanks zillcat.
Our daughter gets a fair few hospital letters and they’re all addressed to her full name. I guess by the time it potentially becomes annoying, when they are teenagers, they will have grown into their names and it won’t really cross our minds to regret it at that point! Maybe it’ll put them off doing anything too naughty in case mum ends up opening their post...

Middle names are possibly going to be William and Morgan so at least different middle initials.

I have 5 siblings and we all have the same initial. I've literally never opened either of my sister's post by accident and can't remember any other mishaps caused by our first names.

My twins have different initials but the bank Halifax still fucked up with the idea of 2 accounts, same DOB, same address. We had to move the accounts to a competent bank in the end.

Although those are lovely names, I would choose something more different for twins. They're going to be "lumped" together by so many people throughout their childhood, it might be easier and nicer for them to be more distinguishable / individual in their names.

I think you should choose two names you like equally.
Two names with the same initial is a bit too much.
Rufus and Edward sound more like two individuals.
They will be known as Twin or The Twins by their classmates.

@moggle, they're both lovely regardless, was just offering a different point of view. 😄

Lovely names, but will you shorten them to Ru and Ro...

I think they're both gorgeous names but I probably wouldn't use the same initial for twins as it does seem quite matchy, particularly if yours starts with an r as well.

Ha that is a very good point! I don’t think we’d shorten them- DD has a 3 syllable name which hasn’t turned into a shortening / nickname in her 3 years so far - but who knows what might come from their friends!! Hmm...

I like both names but to me, aside from them both beginning with the same letter, they are quite different.

For me, Rowan would fit with a twin with another softer nature name. Maybe Jasper, Everett or Asher.

Or for a twin for Rufus I feel another classic, traditional English name would work. Maybe Otto, Wilfred or Ernest.

But that might just be me and the way my mind works!

I think you might be right user. I think we may head down the Rufus and X path.
DH is pleased no one on here has said that Rufus is terrible. I think he cares more about what other people are likely to think than he would ever let on!

I don't think they are similar, other than the initial.
I saw siblings recently called Amelie and Evalie which seemed too close, so I think you're fine!

Other 'red' names...
Clancy: Is of Irish origin and means 'red-haired warrior.'
Corcoran: Of Irish origin meaning 'ruddy-faced.'
Flynn: Of Irish origin meaning 'son of the red-haired one.'
Jasper: Of English origin meaning 'gemstone.'

Rufus and Flynn would sound great together!

Thanks dotdot - There’s Rory / Ruaridh too which we both like but that doesn’t help with the matching issue :-)
There is a chance they could be red haired- one of my worries with Rufus & Another name is that we pick the wrong one to be Rufus!!