Can I do this…

[babyboyyyy]

Baby boy due end of feb! So excited :)

I have a name I like (Fiancé, baby’s dad, does too tbh) however, it’s similar to a name on his side and the nickname of this name would probably be the name of the child!

It’s his brothers stepson - we don’t see his side a lot as a few family members live a drive away but there’s the odd chance we’d all be together.

But I do really love the name - can I choose it

I don't see why not.

Cue a hundred posters saying "no" and another hundred telling you that nobody owns a name............

You can call your baby anything you like! He may on occasion be “Little Tommy” when “Big Tommy” is present but as long as you don’t mind that then no issue.

I wouldn't if you plan to have a relationship with his brother. It's tricky enough with step siblings without you essentially using the same name derivative.

Of the many thousands of names why risk bad feelings

No one owns a name so by default yes you can use it. Plus there’s zero chance of the kids being at school together etc. But really I’d think about how similar the names are and how unusual they are. Alfred and Frederick with one known as Fred and the other Freddie wouldn’t raise an eyebrow but if it’s Cassius and Caspian then it might seem like you copied them a bit.

I know a family that has two cousins called John and Jonathan - I hadn't thought of the similarity before because there's about 12 yrs age difference, and the younger one is now an adult!

Thanks everyone this is what is holding my fiancé back and I’ve tried to explain to him theyd see eachother twice a year really (that’s how often we see them!)

also his brother is due a baby 3 months after us and 2 minutes after announcing stated the names they like and told my fiancé to “keep me away” from them - so he may just be happy I don’t want to use a name from his list 😂

Just ask them? You never know what side of the debate they’re going to fall out. It’s not worth falling out over but I wouldn’t avoid using a name I loved on the very real chance they DGAF. You’ll know by their reactions what they think even if they don’t out and out say it.

What side of the debate they’re going to fall ON

@ReeseWitherfork the thought has crossed my mind but I did want to keep the name private until he’s born! If possible

My mums couins called Millie and I'm also called Millie never was a problem.

Also my cousins called David and my grandads called David

Two sisters I know are called Rosie and Posie.

Maybe we're just a weird family but I don't think it matters, it's just a name.

There are literally thousands of names to choose from.

Please give your son his very own name. That way he doesn't need to be 'little Jack' when older Jacks are around!

I used to know sister's named Melanie and Melissa! It was fine. They used to laugh about it.

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest to have (for example) a DS named Matthew with a step-cousin named Matteo or something. It isn't the exact same name, so think it's fine.

My DH vetoed many names because his nephew had a cousin on the other side with that name / I had a cousin whose child had a similar name 🙄. Drove me mad! We now haven't seen nephew's other cousin in years. Ditto my cousin and her DC.

Sisters*

My autocorrect is crap

Yes pick the name you love. I have cousins with the same first name it’s never been a problem

I think it’s ok for cousins to have the same name, but if you care about upsetting your BIL then ask. It probably isn’t worth a fall out

Cousins having the exact same name is weird, but nicknames/shortenings is ok I think.

I have cousins with the same first name it’s never been a problem

Are you joking? So you have cousins known as Jack 1, Jack 2 and Jack 3?!

And the grand parents have similarly names grandchildren?!

@Purplemagnolias it is a family name, they are hardly ever together but when they are one would be known as William (not the name) and one as Billy for example