Would you use a second cousins name for your baby?

[beechive]

32 weeks and really struggling for a name for our second boy. I have a cousin with an 18 year old son whose name I've always loved but just assumed it was off the cards since it's in the family. To be clear I never see these relatives and don't have a relationship aside from pleasantries at family gatherings which is rare anyway, it's been years since I seen. My mum however is very close to her sister (my aunt, who is the grandmother of the 18 year old) and sees her all the time so it's not like they are totally distant. Would you use a family name or would you totally write it off?

I did this - in fact two of my cousins have a son with the name. Not a family name, but a relatively common, standard name. It’s never been an issue - we’re not a particularly close family and I’ve never met either of the namesakes.

I was given the same name as my DM's cousin, she wasn't even very fond of her, which I always thought was strange but she liked her name. My brother was named after another cousin who she did like.

If it’s a really unusual name it might seem a bit odd. If it’s a commonly used name I’d go for it.

Flip me, if you're not close use the name you love!!

My first cousin called two of her children the same names as two of my siblings! We used to see each other reasonably regularly but not now. It meant that all of them had to have their surname added to any reference to their name!

When cousin had her 3rd baby, she chose a different name. I can only assume she didn't like my name or my sister's name!!

It’s happened a couple of times in my family and no one thinks anything of it. We’re all quite close too.

In my family we name our children after favourite aunts, cousins and grandparents all the time. It's what we do! I find it strange that people pick random names for their child. All our family have names that are connected.

In answer to your question, just use the name you want.

It’s totally fine to use it

I think it’s fine - especially if it’s a different surname and you don’t see them very often so there’s unlikely to be any confusion.Your Aunt and cousin may just refer to your DS as “Beechive’s Thomas” or “Little Thomas” (or whatever name).

I’d be happy enough to do it myself (in fact one of my second cousins names was on my girls list - but I had a DS).

I think it’s fine. Plenty of people give their dc the same name as a parent or gp. A cousin or second cousin is fine.

I’ve never understood the ‘ taking name’ thing. Two of my friends told me they loved my DD name and used it. I was delighted. One used a longer version but it’s been shortened to my daughter’s name.
I think it’s lovely, especially when it’s an older child that someone else liked the name you chose so much.