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Original poster

Rhyming cousin names…weird?!

52 replies

Gymandtonic00 · 30/07/2023 21:49

Help!
Our baby girl is due in a month and we really like a name. Only issue is, it rhymes with my nephew’s name (think Marnie and Barney).
My nephew is 8, so there will be a bit of an age gap, and although we don’t live near to him, we are a close family. My mum and dad will have 6 grandchildren, including our new baby, and I don’t want it to be weird for them when they are talking about their grandchildren.
My husband and I really love the name but I’m worried about my sister in law’s reaction as she can be a little vocal about things she’s not keen on. I don’t know if she’ll think it’s weird.
Am I the one who’s being weird-my husband thinks we should just use the name- or do you think it’s an issue?

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CurlewKate · 30/07/2023 21:51

Honestly? I'd think it was a bit weird! Why not ask your SIL what she thinks.

CorBlimeyGovnr · 30/07/2023 21:51

I really don’t think anyone would notice or care?!

Aquamarine1029 · 30/07/2023 21:53

Do you always overthink to this remarkable degree?

Neverseenbefore · 30/07/2023 21:53

Of course it’s not weird. It’s not like it’s the same name. I wouldn’t think about it any longer.

Original poster
Gymandtonic00 · 30/07/2023 21:54

@CurlewKate I know. I have debated this but she’s not the easiest to speak to and is likely to say she’s fine but then go and bad mouth me behind my back.

@CorBlimeyGovnr I’m really overthinking this. Too much time on my hands 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Gymandtonic00 · 30/07/2023 21:56

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Right. I’m just going to go for it. Too much time on my hands!

OP posts:
Mischance · 30/07/2023 21:57

Two of my GC (cousins) have the same name. Not a problem.

Aquamarine1029 · 30/07/2023 21:58

Op, I saw this as nicely as possible...

Fuck your Sister-in-law. If she gets upset over something as inconsequential as this, there's no helping her. You are not on this earth to manage her feelings, and pandering to her and putting aside what you want is madness. A rhyming name with a cousin is the biggest non-issue in the history or non-issue.

Aquamarine1029 · 30/07/2023 21:58

*I say

Original poster
Gymandtonic00 · 30/07/2023 22:01

@Aquamarine1029 Thank you for knocking sense into me.

Thanks all!

OP posts:
Jojobees · 30/07/2023 22:01

Is the rhyming cousin last on the list of gc? Like John, Mary, George, Helen Barney and Marnie?
I think they might sound odd but it’s not like that would be said often.
Especially if it was Barney, George Helen, Jon Mary Joe and Marnie.

Blahblahgingerbreadlady · 30/07/2023 22:03

It’s not weird at all, loads of names rhyme! Ellie and Nellie? Mandy and Andy? Jess and Tess? Not at all weird. Weirder to have the same nickname. Also the age gap helps too.

I know someone who had two cousins with very similar names, think elena and Ellen (seriously!) Was still fine though.

Frogmila · 30/07/2023 22:04

I wouldn't give it another thought. If she kicks off then she's behaving really oddly. Her lad is 8yrs older so they probably won't be together all the time, it won't seem like you've done it deliberately for any reason and even if you had there's no harm.

Just don't acknowledge it with her. Two cousins called John and Ron or Sue and Lou is completely unremarkable.

Fivebeanchilli · 30/07/2023 22:04

I literally know two sets of siblings called Billy and Tillie. I think cousins are fine but I think it's very weird for siblings!

Original poster
Gymandtonic00 · 30/07/2023 22:06

@Jojobees No, there’s 3 gc between them and my parents list their names in order of birth so it shouldn’t be a problem.

I’m so mad at myself for even asking the question because all I’m worried about is the reaction of one person. I know if she shoe was on the other foot then she’d give no second thought about me!

OP posts:
Timeforanewname2014 · 30/07/2023 22:07

My DN has a name that rhymes with my (older) DDs. Hard imagine them being more similar (the names). It is a total non issue to me, my daughter and the rest of the family.

dullandgrey · 30/07/2023 22:07

My sons name is a longer version (or I guess sounds very similar to the first part anyway) of my nephews name. My SIL asked me if it was okay and I really didn't mind. Just ask?

Bernadinetta · 30/07/2023 22:08

I know cousins called Molly and Dolly

Unicorn2022 · 30/07/2023 22:10

I've got two cousins called Tom and two called Stephen. Nobody was ever in the slightest bit bothered

WimpoleHat · 30/07/2023 22:14

I’d go for it. As they’re cousins and not siblings, it’s unlikely that anyone would have to say “Marnie and Barney” in one breath very often. Indeed - do “Marnie” and “Barney” have siblings? If so, it’s even less likely, as then far more natural to refer to “Marnie and Jane” and “Barney and James”, at which point the rhyme wouldn’t even register!

Original poster
Gymandtonic00 · 30/07/2023 22:18

@WimpoleHat I already have a son but my nephew is an only child.

OP posts:
Whatyoutalkingabouteh · 30/07/2023 22:20

My sisters kid’s name rhymes with my kid’s and not a problem at all. Wouldn’t have even thought about it- go for it!

FDxx · 30/07/2023 22:27

I know of multiple sets of cousins with this and I have thought when I’ve heard the second baby’s name when they’ve arrived that it was a bit odd to pick something so close. It’s one letter of a difference for two girl cousins, think Nellie and Ellie type names. And extremely similar (again one letter of a difference) for another two cousins I know. I’m friends with the original cousin’s mum and she was really quite annoyed when the second baby arrived as it was just SO similar. She acted to the mum like it was fine though but multiple other friends have also commented on it to me when saying the baby’s name 😬 I think it depends how much you love it. Yours doesn’t sound quite as close a name as these ones

Seasideanticscanleadtosandybuckets · 30/07/2023 22:31

Ime there is always a chance of some funny /awkward name moment.. My ds had a Billy and his gf had a Bobby. Smqe age could have been twins. Not real names but just as matchy!

quietnightmare · 30/07/2023 22:41

Overthinking