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Original poster

Is baby name too close to my own name?

51 replies

26Cocopops · 18/09/2019 20:01

Hi there,

We are having a girl and my DP really likes the name Cleo.

I like it too and it's currently top of our very short list - we have been finding the name thing quite hard work!

What I'm not sure about is if it's a bit too close to my own name Claire?

My DP likes Cleo because it also incorporates letters from his first name - sort of like a joining of our names which I think is quite sweet of him.

But I suddenly started to worry that it's too similar to my name - don't want to come across as a bit narcissistic and want her to be able to be her own person - although I have to say a lot of people have called me Sarah throughout my life as I obviously look like one more than a Claire Grin

Appreciate your thoughts!

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fergusthefrog · 18/09/2019 20:29

I know a mum named Andrea with daughter Anna so I'd say you're absolutely fine as we had never even noticed until my DS pointed it out!

GlasshouseStoneThrower · 18/09/2019 20:29

I don't think they are too similar and also, men have been cutting about naming their kids their own exact names for centuries so this is absolutely tame by comparison.

AverageMummy · 18/09/2019 20:32

No & you’ll be forever ‘Mummy’ or ‘Mum’ when Cleo is around anyway

Ludways · 18/09/2019 20:32

I know a Kelly who has a dd called Ellie, now that's close! Claire and Cleo, I think is fine.

SophyStantonLacy · 18/09/2019 20:33

What’s your DH’s name??- as long as you’re not obviously combining your names...

MadeForThis · 18/09/2019 20:34

Fine. But do consider how you might name subsequent dc. Claire and Theo?

Janleverton · 18/09/2019 20:53

I think it’s fine. But then I’m called a name even more like my mother’s and it’s never bothered me one bit. I like it actually. A bit like Helen/Helena.

Luaa · 18/09/2019 20:55

It's different enough that I wouldn't even think anything of it if I met a claire with daughter called cleo

jitterbugg · 18/09/2019 20:56

My sister is Hannah and has a Savannah!

SilentNightTime · 18/09/2019 20:59

I love it. People worry too much about names. You just have to watch out for initials, in case they spell something unexpected, but otherwise, who cares, except you and your child.

DrReed · 18/09/2019 21:30

Totally fine. Dd2 and I have similar names, (starts with same 2 letters and both 2 syllables). I never thought about it and no-one has mentioned it.

NataliaOsipova · 18/09/2019 21:33

I wouldn’t say that was too close - Claire and Cleo are quite distinct.

munchbunch12 · 18/09/2019 21:39

Cleo is a great name, and definitely doesn't sound too much like Claire!

namechangedforthis1980 · 18/09/2019 21:40

We didn't consider that the shortened form of DS2's name massively rhymes with DH's name. DS now only uses that shortened name.

I feel like a right plank when talking about them, think along the lines of " Tom and Dom have gone to the football" ConfusedGrin

So, on that basis I'd suggest not choosing a very similar name!

DramaAlpaca · 18/09/2019 21:51

It's fine, not too similar at all.

My name is similar to one of my DC's and I don't actually think anyone has ever noticed.

KellyHall · 18/09/2019 22:35

I'm sure you and dh won't hear your names for a few years anyway, you'll most likely just be referred to as "Cleo's mum" and "Cleo's dad"!

Pcosmama · 18/09/2019 22:46

If you were a Chloe or he a Leo I would say it was too close, but you'll only share the first two letters. It's just like an Andrew naming his daughter Annie, or a Frances naming her son Fred.

Original poster
26Cocopops · 19/09/2019 00:51

Thanks so much for your feedback you lovely lot, really appreciate it!Smile

This has really helped put my mind at rest - the name thing has been such a struggle for us and I was really starting to panic a bit!

DP is definitely not a Leo or Theo Grin

His name doesn't actually rhyme with Cleo.... that would definitely have been food for thought if it did - thanks for the heads up @namechangedforthis1980 that did make me smile. DP's name just has those letters in it, so I think we'll get away with it! Phew!

OP posts:
GeorgiaGirl52 · 19/09/2019 01:06

I was named after my mother.

Like - she was Georgia Lee called Georgia
and I was Georgia Lee called Lee. I was always proud to have her name and to have people say still "Oh, you must be Georgia's girl".
(I named my two daughters Georgia and Lee!)

Newmummysu · 19/09/2019 01:10

Its a beautiful name. Cleo and Claire actually sound really nice together

EileenAlanna · 19/09/2019 02:48

Like @GeorgiaGirl52 I was named after my mother, it's the norm where I'm from. Never caused any problems.

HappyParent2000 · 19/09/2019 07:38

Claire and Cleo are nothing alike.

Even Layla and Lily sound nothing alike.

I think the line is Geoff/Jeff and Myles/Miles

hungryhippie · 19/09/2019 07:53

Men have been naming their first born sons their actual name for 100s of years. Your choice of name is totally fine and not weird.

BeTheHokeyMan · 19/09/2019 07:54

Completely different! Cleo is a beautiful name go for it Flowers

BananaPlant · 19/09/2019 17:10

Love this name!