Anyone ever recovered from a "stolen" baby name?

[bee2121]

I did the biggest mistake of my life by giving a true answer when a co-worker asked what baby names I like. I was caught off gard and I am a terrible liar. She is not going to have children so I was like whatever, better just say it as it is. Unfortunately another co-worker where closer than I though, she walked in just seconds later, my guess is that she overheard us because a few months later she announces she is pregnant and guess what name her baby got? My name!

If it where to be a common name I wouldn't have batted an eyebrow, but knowing she overheard us and the fact that it's a very uncommon name (but still old/classic, not a weird name) makes me believe she "stole" it.

I know the fault is mine for sharing in the first place, but it was hard not to feel a jab in the heart when I heard the name for the first time. She spelled it slightly different but it is pronounced exactly the same. I didn't confront her but man did it sting in my baby-longing heart.

I no longer work there, but I did for about a year after her baby arrived.

Thing is I love this name, it was a name from my heart really. But having someone else reference their kid as that name over and over it just feels so weird naming my own that name. I love names that are somewhat unique (but not weird, I'm not that tragedeigh mom!) and probably couldn't name a baby something really common. It's like I want them to have their "own" name that no one else has, at least not someone we know.

Did this happen to anyone else? I wonder if it's possible to overcome this feeling or if the name is "ruined" forever for me? It feels like it's ruined but I don't want it to be.

I had favourite names for both DC before they were born,..but then decided that name didn't suit them so chose something else (with DH)

When the HV called and asked baby's name I told her and she said oh that's the 3rd <DDs name> this week. I was a bit miffed about it...for about 10 minutes! She's got 2 good friends with the same name 😊

You don't "own" a name so it wasn't anyone's to steal.
You're being ridiculous

one of my best friends and I both love a two boys names, we were chatting the other day and we said we’d probably end up calling our hypothetical boys the same name.
a complete non issue.
anyone who gets upset about a name needs to get a grip.

Don't be ridiculous it isn't your name. It's a name. My bf called her son the same name as I was going to give mine. I was a little peeved if im honest but now we just have two Sam's

Laugh all your like, but you'd be surprised by the number of serial killers whose origin stories are identical to the scenario outlined by the OP.

😂😂

So you don’t even have children, and you’re struggling to “recover” from the fact that a former co worker used a name for their child that you like?
Are you actually ok??

Why did you quote the whole OP?

Something that nobody could ever be expected to endure.

<hhuuuugggggs>

Only last week there was a stabbing incident here caused by similar behaviour. Two children who lived in one street (can you believe it?) with the same first name!

Was it Sonny? That would drive anyone to violence.

For claritfy, it was the parents who stabbed each other, not the babies.

The babies were busy chewing toys and gigglingand totally unaware of the pointless drama invented by adults, apparently on their behalf.

Habit, sorry

Was it Sonny? That would drive anyone to violence.

That might have made the babies violent themselves in protest, but fortunately not.

Was it Luckey-Buoy?

I'm still annoyed with MNHQ for deleting the thread about that

Too true.

😂

What’s the name? I am intrigued.

i genuinely could understand if a close family member or friend did this but a colleague?? Who you don’t even work with anymore??

if there are other people called it (which presumably there are) then why does it matter? From what you’ve said it’s not a one of a kind name.

I’m also unsure whether you’re pregnant at the moment or whether you've claimed this name 10 years in advance.

I was wondering if the wholesale naming of boys either Teddy or Sonny had possibly driven them to it.

@Pinkelephant66 - I'm not sure, it doesn't seem like she's pregnant, so it could be all about future planning. However, by then she could have gone off the name Mason or Albie or whatever it is.

This is a very acute post. You are so right @LightDrizzle , people who talk about baby name theft are a little bit obtuse imo, especially when it turns out they aren’t even pregnant.

My dds cat is called one of those names. Just saying in case anyone is thinking of using one of them for their cat. Back off.

Too late. I now intend to get two cats; Mason and Albie.

Did you make the name up, OP?
It is something like, <makes up name>Ardimusta ?

If not, and it's a name that already exists, then presumably you've stolen it from somewhere yourself?

If you did make it up, then you are right to be a bit miffed.

See this is what happens, you make an innocent remark to an ex co worker, or you respond to a post, and then someone with absolutely no concern for your mental well being or the deep emotional attachment you or indeed your dd might have to a name comes along , steals it without a moments hesitation, and then has the gall to rub your face in it. I am starting to feel the pain that the OP must have gone through after her betrayal.😪