Is it okay to...

[lovechoc]

have two DC of the same sex with both names beginning with the same letter and same amount of syllables?

DH has suggested a really nice name for DS2, thinking it goes well with DS1's name but I'm not so sure I want them to both have names beginning with the same letter and same amount of syllables. Am I being the unreasonable one?

I've got my heart set on a name that's very different sounding to DS1's name, for DS2. I don't want to completely rule out DH's choice, as it's a nice name (Logan) but not sure I want two L names.

Decisions decisions! Still got 18 or so weeks to think of something...

My brother, sister and I all begin with 'D', and my niece and nephew both begin with 'N'. My Mum and one of her 2 sisters both begin with 'S'. It was all unintentional from the parents but all seem to like their names, and one or 2 of us have even shortened our full name and now 'use' 2-syllable forenames - just like our siblings!

I think you just have to go with something you both like and can agree on..

My DH and one of his brother's have both shortened their first name and now have identical first names! (though spelled with a different first letter, G + J)

I'm not so keen on siblings having names starting with the same letter (I even extend it so our kids don't have the same initials as us). Don't know why, it's completely irrational. Tell us the name you've set your heart on!

I like Alistair, but DH doesn't like it This is so frustrating - why can't we both just like similar names!! Am hoping something will crop up near time.

Yes I understand why prinpo that's why I started a thread about it because I'm just not sure that it's a great idea. The name isn't bad it's just that I'm not sure it should go with the existing sibling name we already have...

DH just said this afternoon it's great from the point of view that when they need initials put onto their labels of school uniform, at least DS2 can just use DS1's because they would have the same initials!

I think its a bit hokey

Depends on the names and how similar they sound.

To my ear,
Lily and Lola, too similar but Lily and Louise are different enough

Eva and Ella too similar, but Eva and Erin are different enough

Christian and Cameron are too similar, Christian and Caleb are fine

Logan and Lewis are fine, Logan and Lauren wouldn't be

We have a DD and a DS with the same initial letter and same syllables, not by design, just cos we loved both names and it happened. It's not an issue!

IKWYM BoggleJunior in comparing the names to give examples of how daft it can get. They begin with the same letter 'L' but they don't end in the same letter - you think that would be ok? This has got to be the most stressful bit of being a parent again, esp if ending up with two the same gender. If it had been a girl, we have agreed on a good name without any probs. Typical!

thanks ratherbeonthepiste that's reassuring that it does happen and isn't an issue for many. perhaps it won't seem as bad once the baby arrives.

Lovechoc - DO NOT DO THIS!!!

my 2 sons have names that both begin with the same letter, and both have the same number of syllables, and I cannot say the right name. It really pisses everyone off, including me. Just dont start down this road!

That happens in my family, too nighbynight - regardless of gender, name, initial letter, syllables, son, daughter, grandfather ...etc! eg cue Great Aunt discussing what her family have been doing lately, then promptly calling out her son, Howard's, name when calling my Mum (ermm.. Stephanie!)

does it really get that confusing, nightbynight? I suppose with sleep deprivation/exhaustion it would be easy to shout out the wrong name, and I'm ditzy at the best of times anyway...

DH still convinced it's fine as they don't end in the same letter, only begin with the same letter. I'm still not sure...my feeling is if I'm hesitant about it just now, then maybe it's not meant to be. It has to be a name we both wholeheartedly agree on afterall.

i agree lovechoc i wouldnt go with a name that starts with the same letter as my first DC's name simply as it would get confusing and when they are older and getting post they would likely open eachothers mail by mistake etc (i know its not a huge issue but my dad and brother have the same name with different middle initial so it did get quite confusing even to the point that my mum said she wished she had named him something else) im not convinced on alistair myself though (its my sisters first choice if she were ever to have a son)

I like Scottish names (am Scottish!) so Alistair for me is a name I've warmed to since looking around for boys names. It just goes well with a one syllable surname.

Thanks PandaEis you've given me food for thought esp with the mail issue in later years. I hadn't thought of that one.

well, it does for me lovechoc, but maybe I am just not very good at names anyway!
As well as having the first letters the same, the names sound slightly similar, a bit like Christian and Cameron from boggle's example below. As I said, just dont go down this path!

Who opens the mail when it is merely address to Master L Surname? For this reason, I think it's best to avoid names where family members have the same initial and same surname. We are definitely avoiding it for ours.
When my family send group emails to each other, we refer to each other by our first initial, when we are feeling lazy, save typing out names.
Or when we had rotas for activities and chores growing up, we just had initials by the activity/chore etc.

DD's cousins are called Jason & Justin, it's a nightmare to say the right name. I would avoid it if possible, but if you don't like any other names go for it anyway!

we chatted about this last night and we have decided to look for another name now. DH still isn't convinced about the mail issue, but I still am, so if it doesn't feel right then we're not using the name.

Abfab I think it would cause loads of confusion if they both had mail addressed to them 'Master L Surname'. I agree. We don't intend to give this baby a middle name either, so there's no way to tell which would be which...

I am sooooo curious - what were the 2 names?!

would rather not say tbh.

I'd avoid it because of the post problem as others have said.

Although you can run into problems with post in other ways too. My friend's Mum and her son sometimes muddled up their post (particularly if the label wasn't clear) because she was MRS Surname and he was MR S Surname.

I don't think there will actually be post in 20 years, but I still think a different name would be better.

it's ok, we've decided on a different name. amazingly! thanks for everyone's opinions though, it made me really see sense.

Ooh what did u decide on lovechoc?

Andrew seems to be a strong 'maybe' just now, we both like it. Or Martyn..will see. Something else may crop up nearer the time.