Can I call my baby Jessica?

[RedPepperOrangePepper]

I’ve name changed as this is quite outing. My partner has a DD called Holly. I am pregnant with our DD who I did want to name Jessica. This has been my favourite name for years. Growing up all my dolls had the name Jessica and I was thrilled when I found out we were having a girl and I could use that name. But having heard OH say the names together I am starting to worry about what people will say! Are we going to have to pick a different name?

It wouldn’t click with me at all as being in any way related. Don’t forget it will be ancient history by the time they are teens.

I didn't get the connection until I read it further down thread. I initially thought it was a sound issue so said the names aloud and still didn't get the connection.

Even if people do make the connection it will merely be a momentary “oh that’s right, that was sad” kind of moment. And then your girls will just be known for who they are. I really wouldn’t worry too much about it. Both names are beautiful. And as many pp have said - it would only be older people that might make the connection anyway so highly unlikely that they would experience anything negative from it.

It’s been your favourite name forever ... it would be a shame kit to use it

I'm from nearby and remember (I thought) lots of details. I didn't make the link with the names until I read the thread. How awful that people are allowing what was a dreadful crime have further repercussions than it should. We must all be respectful that the families' grief will never end, but as for allowing a murderer to then influence how we name our children? No! No no no. Do not give these awful events more influence than they deserve.

Both names are beautiful, both stand alone as great names and as PPs have said, the most that would happen is that someone may think 'oh those beautiful girls' and then move on. Unless you live in Soham where it could potentially upset people rather than just be 'of note', do not change your name choice.

Name her Jessica, you've always wanted it. I didn't use my first pick name for my first child and will long regret it. It was for news-related reasons which are now long forgotten.

And also, as another PP said- no one seems to mind using murderer's names. As a teacher I cannot tell you how many Freds I've taught in the last 10 years. No one's saying to their mums, 'I can't believe you named your delightful little boy after one of the UK's most horrific serial killers' are they?

Maybe you need to have a second (third for your partner) baby soon after this baby, and then you'll be mostly listing the 3 children's names anyway!

I didn't make the link at all and i think you should go for it! How disappointed would you be if you didn't get to use 'Jessica '? And if you do go ahead and use that name, then how anxious or self conscious will you be about referring to the girls together? Maybe your answers will help you figure it out.

Or what about....
Jesse
Jessa
Jessamyn
Jasmine
Janessa
Tessa
Vanessa
Marissa
Jocelyn

There is a connection for people of a certain age, but neither is an unusual name and there must be hundreds, if not thousands, of Holly / Jessica sister combos across Britain. The odd person might say something but the vast majority won’t even think it. If Holly and Jessica were more unusual names, I would agree it might be more of an issue, but both must have spent several years in the top 10 over the last two decades.

It's just a name. If you love it, use it. There's a big enough age gap between them to not make it an issue, I think.

I think especially since they’ll be half sisters so less of a “set” it’s okay

There have been a few comments like the one above. You know that the OPs dp is both girls' dad?? They won't be less of anything...

I made the connection between the names straight away but it would in no way influence my choice of names unless i either lived in soham or knew the families involved.

I have a friend whose DDs have those names. She is younger than me and I think it didn't even occur to her. I was a young Mum when the Soham murders happened so I think it had a bigger impact on me than my friend. Certainly I have never heard anyone mention anything about it.

I thought of those poor girls too so I can see why you're unsure. If you really love the name I think you should still use it. Your dcs classmates won't make the link I wouldnt have thought.

I think it's fine neither is an unusual name, and most people won't make the connection unless it is pointed out. It's not like you're calling them Fred and Rose.

I thought of those poor girls straight away so personally wouldn’t use it as it would always have that connection in my mind but I wouldn’t think badly of anyone who did use those two names. I don’t think it’s a total no no but just I personally wouldn’t want to. Similarly I wouldn’t use Madeleine but that doesn’t mean I don’t think anyone should use the name ever again. So basically I think it’s ok to use but it depends on your own feelings about it really.

I know 2 sets of Holly and Jessica's.

Soham has never once came to mind when I speak to them or their parents.

I would use it.

As for those saying that it won't matter as much because the eldest isn't the OP's, sort yourselves out. Siblings are siblings. Horrid attitude.

It's fine OP. They are just names. Names that belonged to two girls that were sadly murdered.
If DP didn't already have a Holly, you'd choose Jessica, yes?

Sorry, I did think of the soham murders immediately, so I don’t think I could use those names together.

The Soham murders came to mind straight away. I’m 47. I doubt that many people under 35 would make a connection between the names.

FASH

Holly and Jessica immediately make me think of those poor little girls. They were a year younger than me, I remember the news coverage of people searching for them and them being found.

Of course it isn’t like naming sibling Fred and Rose, becaude Holly and Jessica were victims not an embodiment of evil.

My mistake, they were 3 years younger than me. I’m 29, they should be 26 year old women now.

I knew it was going to be the connection from the title OP. However I still would if you love it.

I knew straight away from just the title you were going to ask about Holly.
They are such mainstream names I think it's really ok.
But if you don't want to, how about JESSAMY - it's an established name, super pretty, less mainstream than Jessica (in my book, a good thing).

I saw the connection immediately & I would not use those names together.

I thought of Soham and my stomach fell. It's been so long. I didn't expect to have such a physical reaction.
Perhaps practise saying the names in the opposite order? It lessens the connection because the coverage used their names in a particular ordee.

It's not like you're calling them Fred and Rose - I agree with this.

If you decide against Jessica though, how about Rebecca?

I have sisters with these names in my family. They were born prior to the soham murders. At the time, it was mentioned a few times. Since, it never crosses my mind.