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Baby names

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Original poster

Naming boys after the Dads?

27 replies

Divvy · 24/07/2008 20:12

I am toying with this idea.

Its the name Edward, but his dad is called Eddie, and I have a feeling I will call him Teddy.

dh's Dad was also an Edward.

I was set on Thomas/Tommy but dd's now has a bf called Tom, so feel I cant use that name now

Anyway, is it the done thing, or naf to name after Dad?

ps I have had 4 girls and wouldnt dream of naming them with my name, but then I dont like my real name!

Please be gentle 39+4

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2point4kids · 24/07/2008 20:16

Sorry I do think it is a bit naff. It just seems slightly vain on the part of the Dad to me and as if he hasnt quite got enough imagination to think of other names. (sorry hope thats not too harsh)
Although good taste in names - I have an Edward who I call Teddy!

I think Thomas is still fine even though your DD's bf is called Tom. They may not be together long term if she is still young and even if they are, so what!
I have the same name as my SIL and it has never bothered any of us.

Good luck with choosing.

DisenchantedPlusBump · 24/07/2008 20:18

My DH is Adam, we named our first born 'Addison' which means Adams first son.

Teddy is cute, I would call him Edward.

The boys middles names are the same as their grandads first names too

Luckily they are nice names though!

UniversallyChallenged · 24/07/2008 20:19

Have always thought it so so boring. There are so many lovely names out there, why call someone John/Michael/Steven Junior

Fine as a middle name I think as a tribute but not first

cafebistro · 24/07/2008 20:26

I think if you really like the name then fine. But if a child is named after its dad for the sake of it, its a bit naff. My dad, brother and nephew all have the same name!
I think edward is a lovely name though but if in doubt you could always use it as a middle name

Blandmum · 24/07/2008 20:27

I did this. I'm so very glad that I did

DisenchantedPlusBump · 24/07/2008 20:30

MB (((hugs)))

I think its a lovely thing to do and makes daddies really proud

Original poster
Divvy · 24/07/2008 20:32

Sorry ((MB))

OP posts:
Elmosgirl · 24/07/2008 20:32

If we ever have a boy my DP is DESPERATE to use his name as the babies name. I hate the idea and think everyone should be given their own unique name within the family to form their own identity with and not just be 'little .....'.

mrswoolf · 24/07/2008 23:43

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Twinklemegan · 24/07/2008 23:46

In our family we've always given a middle name after one of the grandparents. It continues family names without being so overt.

GrimmaTheNome · 24/07/2008 23:52

Its fine so long as there are distinct 'calling' names as in this case so
you don't get the riduculous american 'junior' (or in your case, 'The third')

ladymariner · 24/07/2008 23:53

On my dh's side they've always given the son his father's name as his middle name, so we continued the tradition. I actually like the idea, but I wouldn't have used dh's name as my ds' first name.

ravenAK · 24/07/2008 23:53

I have an Edmund (Ned) - dh is Edward (Ed). Works for us!

Or you could call him Edward Thomas Surname & have him known as Teddy? He'd then have the option of using Thomas if he wanted to have his 'own' name.

thumbwitch · 24/07/2008 23:55

I like the idea of having family names and if my DH had a decent name, would have used it as a middle name for DS (likewise with my own dad's name - in the end we used DH's dad's middle name as middle name for DS as it was the only one we could stand!!). But not keen on having the same first name as it just causes confusion when they get older. Bad enough having the same initial (post problems)

thumbwitch · 24/07/2008 23:56

if you want to call him Teddy, you could always call him Theodore instead of Edward...

nooka · 25/07/2008 00:03

I'm with the naff/no imagination/not unique gang I'm afraid. It is a nice name (as is Thomas) but there are so many other names out there! dd is named after two of her grandmothers, but they were long dead when she was born. My nephew and niece have their parent's names as their middle names. I don't think there is anything wrong with family traditions, or honouring those you admire or love, but just think it is too close a relationship. After all you are worried about using the same name as a best friend (who might be completely transient) surely the same name as your dh is the same but worse?

If you like Teddy how about Theodore? Or of course there are lots of other "Ed" variations, Edmund, Edwin etc

Califrau · 25/07/2008 00:13

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unknownrebelbang · 25/07/2008 00:19

Middle DS is named after his father (although we use a short-form).

AnnBoleyn · 25/07/2008 00:26

I have an Edward who is an Eddie.

I love the name. Obviously.

We gave my DS my Dh's name as a middle name.(thouhgj is would be too confusingas a first name) Dh didn't want to as he thought it wouls look 'vain'. But I'm glad we did. I like names having a meaning and being passed down. Ds likes knwoing he has his daddy's name.

names are more than just nice sounds. they are symbolic, they have meanings and reasons, I think family names,when appropriate(ie not crap and embarrassing) , are lovely.

Original poster
Divvy · 25/07/2008 06:55

Thanks everyone, you have given me things to think on....

dh is an Edward Thomas, and boy did he get ripped in the 80's!

Maybe Thomas Edward, as Thomas is a strong family name on dh side.

I will really have to just look at him when he is here, and then decide what would suit.

OP posts:
allgonebellyup · 25/07/2008 07:06

think its a bloody awful idea.

Not to mention all the confusion in the house, where 2 males have the same name. My best mate named her son after the dad (on his demand, arrogant idiot)and i naver have a flaming clue who she is referring to when she talks about one of them.

Also i just think there are so many fab names out there, why stick a boring "david" etc on the poor child's head?

SquiffyHock · 25/07/2008 07:25

I'm normally against naming children after the person you have sex with (sorry!! that's what I've always thought about it!) but Edward has so many diminutives I think you can get away with it. Saying that, when pregnant I thought that my Edward would be Teddy but he never has been, he is Ed, Eddy, Edward or Bear!!
allgonebellyup give me some examples of fab names!! If baby no.3 is a boy we currently haven't got more exciting than James or John!!

CoteDAzur · 25/07/2008 07:59

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Tigerschick · 25/07/2008 08:22

I think that there is a lot to be said for tradition - even if it's a relatively new one. If you want to carry on the tradition then Edward is a very good name to use as it has so many good variations.
It really comes down to whether you like the name or not. If you do, then it will work well, especially with different diminutives used; if you don't like it then it will never sound right.

mamadiva · 25/07/2008 08:34

I must say I have something against this LOL not in a totally bad way just that if you aren't sure about the name don't do it. There are 5 generations of James on my DP's side and when I had my DS his family were not happy with me because I broke the tradition, his dad still won't talk to us. LOL. It's not a name I particularly like so I decided that I wasn't going with it just because his family told us we had to! DS ha it for a middle name though but only because it goes well with his first name. Personally I'm not sure about naming children after parents etc just think they are individual so why shouldn't they have their own name?

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