Should I let my kids name their siblings

[sockieA]

Me and my DH are expecting twins later this year and are finding it near impossible to think of name! However our children have brought it upon themselves to name them. Me and my DH are not against this and have said we will go with whatever they choose (within reason obviously) and i think it will make the names more heartfelt and personal. However many people have advised us against this and called us crazy! Is it a bad idea or will it be a great way to come up with a creative meaningful name??

So many over reactions on this thread. Obviously the child naming a sibling doesn't give them any power. It is just a nice family anecdote. DS2 isn't that fussed over the fact his four year old brother chose his middle name. DH and I invited him too as we wanted him to feel involved, we liked the name so agreed and even when we asked him months later DS1 still wanted the same name. DS1 doesn't think he owns his brother, think he is a pet or any other stupid suggestion. For me it is a nice touch and it means something to me.

@SunshineCake it is possible that as there are multiple 'over reactions', then it's you under reacting

You can just state your view without implying everyone else is seeing it wrong!

Or ‘stupid’ ffs.

It's for the parents to name not siblings.
But involve them in discussions.

My sister named me and then used the fact and variations on my name to taunt me and it was yet another way to boss me around. I changed my name in primary school to my middle name, she sadly remained bossy but my new name was much harder to make up rhymes about.

By all means discuss it with them, draw up a short list and gauge their reaction but you and dh need to make the decision.

My oldest two sort of named my twins because Dh and I couldn't settle on the names from out long list. We gave them a choice of 15 and they each picked one from that. Ds choose Liam, Dd chose Morgan. It worked out fine.

Let them make suggestions? Yes.
Include them in discussions? Sure.
Allow them to choose? Hell no.

It's appropriate for a kid to name their pet.

It's not appropriate for a kid to name their sibling.

The power to choose a name for something implies that you have some authority or power over it. Parents name their kids, kids name their pets, there is a long and horrible history of masters/mistresses naming or renaming their servants/slaves... but not the other way round. It's always the one with the power who gets to name the subordinate one.

Siblings should be treated as equals - the younger one doesn't get to name the older one, so why does the older one get to name the younger one?

If you want your kid to name something, buy them a goldfish.