Naming DC something similar to an ex

[HormonalPreggo]

Need opinions on whether I'm over thinking this because of general pregnancy hormones or if it is strange.

Having first DC this summer and it's a little boy. Me and DP both absolutely love a certain name and I have always loved it, however it sounds similar to the name of a horrible ex I once had many years ago.

I don't want to say the names but let's say a similar female equivalent would be Julie and Julia.

Would friends who knew me at the time I was with this ex think I was strange for naming my DC such a similar name or am I being totally crazy?! I don't think it would bother/remind me at all I'm just wondering if my friends would think it was strange, especially since this ex was a total arse.

Maybe, but it absolutely doesn't matter. Do not let what some friends may or may not think interfere with what you want to call your child.

Most people are so busy thinking about themselves, they’ve probably all forgotten you even went out with the total arse. Use the name you’ve chosen - if it doesn’t bother you, it certainly shouldn’t bother them.

I’m having this exact same dilemma OP! Although the ex was nice, not an arsehole, but I still wonder if some would think it was weird.

I floated the idea with some close friends who had forgotten all about him. Also, once the baby is here, that name won’t automatically be associated with him anymore and will solely be all about your baby.

What does dh say? Is he aware that it’s similar to the ex?

Maybe practice using the name when talking about the baby and see how it feels? Will they have the same nickname?

Could you give us the name? Is it fairly common? If so it won’t be identifying at all

DP doesn't think it's a thing at all he's not bothered about it and doesn't think anyone else will be. It wasn't a serious ex more of an early 20s heartbreak (all very dramatic at the time but now totally insignificant!), so it's only a handful of friends that I've know that long that know about him.

The names are Luke (ex) and Lucas (what we'd like to name DC). I do think they are different names but obviously similar and he might get Luc as a nickname from some?

Those are definitely different enough. I really like Lucas and think you’d regret not using your favourite name for this reason.

If your partner is fine with it then I don't see any problem. Once the baby's born, you will only associate the name to your son, not the ex-boyfriend. I would suggest not letting friends have their say; at the end of the day, it's between you and your partner what you name your child. If you are seriously concerned, choose a different name, or wait till the birth and see how you feel then, but I wouldn't consider it strange if I chose a name for my DS that was similar to an ex. And if it helps, I know a Lucas, and he is not called Luke as a nickname.

Nah, I think you're fine - go for it.

My sisters ex was an abusive idiot, she left him and he had a daughter called Eloise. My sister went on to have a little girl she named Elodie. She was worried she'd look like she was copying her ex but decided to say F it and go for it because she liked the name... that's all that really matters. Your ex is in your past - forget about him.

Thanks everyone! I think you're all right as long as it doesn't bother me and DP I suppose it's not worth worrying about. I was an over thinker before pregnancy and the hormones are making it much worse 😂 good to have a sense check.

Unless it's a particularly unusual name then I'd not give it another thought - use it

Sorry should have read the thread. I know quite a few Lucas' (very common name in the country dc were born) and none of them get called Luc even the ones that are now in the UK

I wouldn’t think it was that strange even if you called your son “Luke”, let alone “Lucas” which has completely different letters. It’s a gorgeous name you should definitely use it 😍😍 @HormonalPreggo

Luke and Lucas are totally different names imo. If it were something closer like Robert and Robbie I probably wouldn’t but I don’t think anyone would make that connection.

Luke and Lucas are very similar. They are as similar as Jake and Jacob.