Can I make this work?

[lovechocolatetoomuch]

We already have an 18 month old daughter named Aria and expecting our second daughter in the summer. Would really like to call her Tara. Do these names work or are they too matchy/rhymey? I don’t really want other name suggestions as we know lots of lovely girls names but the name Tara has special meaning to DH and would like to honour it so would like to use it if we can. When I told my sister she said it sounds too similar to DD1s name! What do you guys think?

They're too similar imo. I know siblings with rhyming names, and tbh, it makes me go

Thanks NameChange feel really sad about that as it would be important to DH. My best friend said they aren’t too similar but not sure if she’s just being nice as best friend (and she knows the history behind us wanting to use it) That’s why I’m asking here

They are very similar and I personally wouldn't do. I know siblings that names all end in -leigh and I wonder how on earth they don't all get muddled up!

Could you not use Tara as a middle name instead if it means a lot to you and your DH?

I think it's fine tbh but you could maybe use it as a middle name if it worries you.

If you think it's too similar, what about Cara? Cora? Ella? Nothing like Tara though. I mean, yes they sound similar but they will be separate people. And Tara has a strong Ta sound rather than Ar. Tbh when you meet her, you'll know what's best 💕

how do you pronounce Aria?

If it is with a long ARR sound at the beginning then it is very similar to Tara, but if you say Aria with a short 'a' (like in apple) then it is not that similar really and I would go for it.
I think the strong T sounds makes it different enough

In real life, you will probably shout - girls! let's go. Rather than Aria! Tara! let's go.

For most of their lives they won't even live in the same house! A name is for life, not just the first few years.

Just yell them in birth order.
Aria Tara sounds less similar then Tara Aria
I don't think they look intentionally matchy like having Aria and Maria or Aria and Aris

Thanks everyone. Yes pronounce aria with a long Arrr sound, not like apple. Our back up option would be to have Tara as a middle name but if I could make it work I would like to. Thanks for suggestions on Cara etc but it’s not because we like the name, just that we want Tara specifically if possible. Haha I love the suggestion of “girls, let’s go!” And I guess at least they don’t both start with the same letter!

matchy/rhymey? Yes - but if Tara has special significance and you both like it then use it.

Thanks Donkeys I’m just thinking yes it has meaning to us but the doctor/dentist/school won’t know that I guess will they? Argh! It’s so hard. If I just choose a nice girls name and don’t use Tara will I regret it?

don't worry about doctor/dentist etc, the names are clear enough to distinguish, and most places like doctor use date of birth to confirm you have the right person.

If you love the name, use it.

What tends to happen is that everyone you know within a few days gets used to it and they are just their names, attached to that person.

You've got a fair while to go yet by the sound of it. Play "what if we called her..." with some other names, if it's half-hearted and nothing seems right you will know you really want Tara.

I think it could work they are two individuals who will live separate lives, it will only be you who will say them together or they will when asked about brothers / sisters this won't be that often and does it matter if you love them so much.
Similar names to Tara are:
Tia
Tessa
Lorna
Ione

I don't think they're too similar at all. If you had Tara and Lara, or Aria and Maria, then yes. But I think they sound different enough to be fine together. Especially when you consider that they will be adults living separately for a lot longer than they will be children living together. I think it would be a shame not to use the name if it's really special to you.

I like it. My personal opinion is that you should use a name if you have your heart set on it. Aria and Tara sounds adorable and I say go with it.

I know a family who are Angela, Andrea, Anthea, Amanda and Asher. It's a bloomin' mouthful but it is always laughed about lightheartedly and they are all wonderful siblings who adore each other and surprisingly, names do not get confused!

Thank you everyone, this is so helpful and yes, have until July to decide. I love all of those As! I know a girl called Cassie who just called her son Caspian and I guess that’s more similar in a lot of ways but she loved Caspian so much. Thank you :-)

Seems fine to me. I wouldn't bat an eyelid.

They are very similar, but if you love it, go for it. I would personally use Tara as a middle name if I were you but I don’t know the special significance that the name has.

They are similar sounding be not significant enough that it would put me off using. I agree with PP, in birth order I wouldn't even notice the similarity. They don't rhyme, don't start with the same letter and they don't look matchy written down. Go for it!

I think they’re too similar and they won’t know you’re calling.

I’d use it as a middle name.

I know a girl called Cassie who just called her son Caspian and I guess that’s more similar in a lot of ways but she loved Caspian so much

That’s truly bizarre, they’ll both be Cas for short. Not quite as bizarre tho as a poster on here who was called Olivia and her brother was Oliver.

I don't think 'rhyming' names or names sounding similar are a problem; if you like the name then use it

Too similar, and if you knew your husband had such a sting wish to use Tara, why did you choose Aria for your first?

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful! I think using as a middle name will Defo be our back up. Thanks uber when we had dd we didn’t even know the name meant anything. It’s a bit of a strange story and will seem weird to anyone on the outside but DH found out he had a twin sister who had died with the name. I know that sounds really morbid and strange to name your child after this but it really does make sense if you know the full story, it’s actually really poignant. Aria we chose as we just thought it was pretty! Obviously would have named first one Tara if we had known! X

I don’t think they’re too similar. Go for it!

How about Tamara?