Using sons name

[ArlosMumma]

My son's name is Arlo and it isn't very popular around where we live and on partners brother has just announced he is calling his son Arlo as well. And will have the same middle name as son as well as its a name in his wife's family.

But partners mum said she didn't like sons name when we announced it and insisted we called him our second name choice (we had 1 and we were going to use it but changed it to Arlo a few days before he was registered) now she is saying it's a lovely name etc.

What can we do and advice please

There isn't anything you can do. No one "owns" a name so you'll just have to deal with it. I don't think it will really impact you or your son anyway.

Unfortunately there’s nothing you can do but this is such a strange thing to do. There are literally thousands of names to choose from, I can’t believe they are choosing exactly the same name including middle. Awful.

So his mum will have two grandsons called Arlo which is weird but nothing you can do t all.

Is a bit strange, especially having the same middle name as well. So your partners mum will have two grandsons called Arlo. Just take it as a compliment that they loved your name choice so much, and let them know that you are flattered that they share your good taste.

Ask him how he feels at his son being called arlo 2 by all the family as yours was born first?

Or if your MIL hated the name, tell her and hopefully she'll try to get them to change!

As much as people don’t own a name it is still weird.

So there will be 2 Arlo James Smiths in the family? Get ready for "Big Arlo" and "Little Arlo"

I think she was negative about the name because she wanted to use it but couldn't say at the time.

Say to your MIL that you're really glad to hear that she has been won round to your son's name. You always knew that once she got used to it and had such happy connections with her grandson she'd love it like you do.

There isn’t much you can do about it unfortunately but it is very, very weird! Has your partner spoken to his brother about their choice?

They really can't use the exact same first and middle name ! Are you sure they're not joking?

It is weird but your son is Arlo original, whereas the other one will be Arlo copied. Maybe mention that often to the MIL who may then influence a change of mind for your partner's brother?

Beautiful name btw

That’s really weird

That’s totally bizarre and as parents they are going to give their child identity issues because he is going to have the exact same name as his cousin. They had a responsibility to give him his own identify really but each to their own, see it as a compliment but this is very very strange.

So two brothers each have a son with the same name?

That is bizarre and I would absolutely not pander to your in laws on this.

Your son’s name is his name. That you chose...first.

Are you sure they are not winding you up? Because there is stupid, and there is stupid. And this is definitely stupid with a capital S.

Very odd but nothing you can do. I’d have to make some comment to them about how flattered you both are though, preferably when MIL is around too.

"Don't you think your little boy would rather have a name of his own, than have to share his cousin's?"

I think I would have scoffed and insisted that they must be joking.

I get that “no one owns a name”, but the same first, middle and (presumably) surname? No, I’m sorry, your BIL and his partner must be breathtakingly unimaginative to even consider it.

There are some strange people out there.
Not much you can do except emphasise your Arlo is Arlo the Firrst and their is the spare Arlo.