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Original poster

As a woman, would you consider naming your daughter after yourself in the way men do?

149 replies

mrziggycoco · 15/04/2022 17:19

As a woman, would you consider naming your daughter after yourself in the way men do?

You get John and John Jnr but what about Lauren and Lauren Jnr?

Why not?

We should make this a thing. I think I would have done if I had thought about it 6 years ago.

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Garman · 15/04/2022 20:07

I'm named after my mum, its lovely.

CircusBaby · 15/04/2022 20:13

It's quite traditional in my extended family for the girls to be named after their mums, grandmas or aunties. My mum said she considered it with me but when I was born I didn't look like a xxxx so I was given another name. My eldest daughter has the same name as my great grandma.

Atmywitsend29 · 15/04/2022 20:20

Absolutely not. But that's cause I hate my name Grin
But I have known lots of (mainly Irish) families where all the women were called variations of Margaret or Kathryn.
I despite calling a kid something Jnr though.

Furrbabymama87 · 15/04/2022 20:23

One of my sons has got the male version of my name. Not because it was after me but it's just a really traditional name that I love. I don't think I would call a girl my name though if I hadn't called him that. I'm not sure why, I think it's just a bit boring.

worriedatthistime · 15/04/2022 20:26

My auntie has the same that my nan had but my nan went by the nickname only
I assumed she named my auntie after her but she said no , after her god mother
Im not sure my nan was either known by her name though even as a child , just as her nickname as such , people did that a lot then

Cocobeau · 15/04/2022 20:30

It’s a bit weird that this is one of the first posts I’ve seen after logging on about 20 minutes after we were discussing names for our baby if it’s a girl. I actually said sod it, I like my name, let’s just call her “coco”. Although I wouldn’t actually do that because she deserves her own identity. I wouldn’t name a child after me because I felt it would be a worthy tribute to my own self.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 15/04/2022 20:37

No I wouldn't saddle a kid with my horrible name (Clare) I absolutely despise it.

It's not a horrible name at all! It was overused in the 70s but it's a lovely and classic name.

Somatronic · 15/04/2022 20:39

Another Irish person here - this was common enough practice. All my grandparents named children after themselves (except one Granny who only had boys) and lots of my extended family did too.

When my mother wanted to name me after both my grandmothers and aunt who all have the same her mother told her that too many of the family had that name and not to do it. So she chose a name she actually liked instead. The other grandmother was devastated and tried to pressurise the priest not to christen me. She did this when my cousin wasn't named after her too. She was insane.

I'd be up for giving my parents' names as middle names, but not mine or DH's. It just feels narcissistic to me.

On the subject of many Marys, the first girl in every family in Ireland used to be called Mary. In primary school every single girl in my mother's class was a Mary!

Mimijamroll · 15/04/2022 20:40

No but I don't know any father / sons who have the same name either.
I knew a mum called Sue who had a daughter Suzy. But I remember another mum critizing Sue for not giving her dd a new name.

I wanted to call my youngest by my middle name as i like the name but dh vetoed it, saying it would be unfair on the eldest.

femfemlicious · 15/04/2022 20:43

You know it never ever occured to me. If i have another child i will def name after meGrin

elfran · 15/04/2022 20:44

I'm not a fan of this for men or women, but only because as a name enthusiast it feels like a wasted opportunity- like letting my own parents (or in-laws) name my baby! With all the names in the world to choose from, I just can't imagine making this choice.

We did, however, have my middle name as one of our top options for a girl, but went with our other option, probably for the above reason - I've always loved my middle name and DH does too, but the non-family name just felt fresher, and like "ours".

DD has both of our surnames though! 💪🏼

MrsSkylerWhite · 15/04/2022 20:46

Yes, if I really liked my name.

Not sure what the “as men do” is about? I wanted to name our son after my husband as it was my favourite male name but he flatly refused, saying he’s an individual, not a mini me. He eventually agreed to using it as a middle name.
Actually, I’m glad years later because I really love the name we settled on now and it just suits our son Smile

CircusBaby · 15/04/2022 21:20

Not sure what the “as men do” is about?

I was thinking this too. My brother is named after my dad, that was my mum's choice because she loves the name. My cousin is named after my uncle, for the same reason. And the same applies for generations in my family, very strong matriarchal types who wore the pants and chose the baby names! Not sure why people think it's the men who demand it Confused

namechangeranonymouse · 15/04/2022 21:33

It's not a modern British thing. I don't know any sons named after fathers

girlmom21 · 15/04/2022 21:34

@namechangeranonymouse

It's not a modern British thing. I don't know any sons named after fathers
I know 3 that I can think of off the top of my head.

Oldest is 28, youngest is 3. Sons obviously, not fathers Grin

RainbowConnection1 · 15/04/2022 21:46

My MIL named SIL after herself but she reversed the spelling. MIL is Agnes, SIL was Senga (bloody hideous name).

Sponge19 · 15/04/2022 21:50

No

A580Hojas · 15/04/2022 21:53

I do not know anyone, of any generation, in my extended family and anyone I've ever met, who named their child after themselves. I don't think it's as common as you might thing.

YesILikeItToo · 15/04/2022 21:54

I know only one family that did this. It’s interesting because it’s also dying out for boys, I think. Is there a class difference in the pace of that? I’m not sure.

We were so hung up on ‘family’ names for boys from DHs side - not his name, but a repeating name through the generations. When we had a girl, we had a whole new name ready, but gave her my name as a middle name as a sort of accident of reasoning. In need to own it, to be honest.

Deadringer · 15/04/2022 22:04

I had no interest in calling my dds after me, and dh had no interest in naming our son after him, we both hate all that 'name Jr' or 'little name'. Awful. I do believe that children should have their mother's surname though. And yes that would be a man's name to begin with, but in a few generations that wouldn't matter any more.

WeasilyPleased · 15/04/2022 22:12

No. I want my children to be individuals not little versions of their parents so should have their own names.

CircusBaby · 15/04/2022 22:16

@namechangeranonymouse

It's not a modern British thing. I don't know any sons named after fathers
I know loads, youngest is 2 and upwards from there.
FartnissEverbeans · 15/04/2022 22:38

No because that tradition is boring af regardless of gender

DramaAlpaca · 15/04/2022 22:44

My name was my grandmother's middle name and I love that connection to her.

I don't have a daughter, but if I did she'd have had the Irish version of my name as her middle name to reflect her half Irish heritage.

Sharing a first name would've been a step too far though.

Cheekymaw · 15/04/2022 22:47

My daughter is named after my middle name. It was the only girl's name myself and ex agreed on.

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