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Original poster

To give up name we've loved for years...

22 replies

kylieeee · 22/12/2019 23:31

Just wanted other people's opinions reallyXmas Smile

OH and I had our BFP last week and it was the best Christmas present we could've wished for. We spoke about having children for a couple of years beforehand and have had names picked out for as long as I can remember.

We're both known for being Disney nerdsXmas Blush and for a boy we always said we wanted to go for 'Arlo Jacob' as The Good Dinosaur is one of our favourites, and we always snuggle on the sofa with our niece and watch it together. Jacob is my OHs name which I also loveXmas Grin

Recently one of my close work colleagues had a little boy and named him Arlo Jacob. She has no connections with either name she said she just saw them online and thought they were cute so just went with that.

I now worry that if we have a boy I can't really name our baby the exact same even though both names have deep meaning for us and we've loved it for well over two years. I know you can't really 'steal' a name but I'd feel really weird having the exact same including middle name. There's no other names that we love even half as much so it's a bit upsetting at the idea of not being able to use it. I find myself hoping for a girl purely so I won't have to make the hard decision of picking another boys name.

At the end of the day I'm not going to know my colleague forever so does it really matter much? I'd appreciate any opinions please Xmas Smile

OP posts:
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Soontobe60 · 22/12/2019 23:34

Call your baby whatever you want, personally I think it's a bit weird to call a child anything from a Disney film though 🤷🏼‍♀️

NataliaOsipova · 22/12/2019 23:34

If your sister had chosen “your” name, then yes, maybe you should reconsider. But a work colleague? I wouldn’t give it another thought. She may not still be a colleague by the time the baby is born; people move on. Stick with your choice....congratulations!

StanleyWalkersThirdWife · 22/12/2019 23:34

Definitely doesnt matter, you should use it. Arlo is my favourite name and it is our number 1 name should we ever have a boy.

If she ever said anything I'd just respond with "yes weve had the name picked out for years, I was quite shocked when you happened to choose the same"

Also Arlo Jacob is a common combination - theres a sofa brand called Arlo & Jacob.

And you never know, you may have a girl and then if and when you have a boy you or she could have moved jobs and not even be in touch anymore.

Overseasmom100 · 22/12/2019 23:36

Stick to your names OP...I think they are fabulous!

Original poster
kylieeee · 22/12/2019 23:41

@Soontobe60 if celebs can call their baby apple or north I think a Disney name is fineXmas Grin it's become quite popular tbh!

Thank you girls, I really do love it and I know I'm hugely overthinking it, I don't want to give up something we both love when 2 years down the line we won't even know each other. I don't actually plan on going back to that employer. I didn't know about the sofa company, how funnyXmas Grin xx

OP posts:
pinkpeoniesplease · 23/12/2019 06:21

They are both very popular names so it won't stand out that two colleagues have a child called Arlo.

anxioussue · 23/12/2019 06:24

It's a work colleague so your children will probably never meet, it doesn't matter

sycamore54321 · 23/12/2019 06:33

It does seem a bit weird but as it’s work, you could easily just announce the arrival of baby Arlo, not mentioning the middle name if you wanted.

I’d also be hesitant about being wedded to a name you’ve always loved - give yourself free rein and if you still love it at the end of the nine months, go for it. But don’t limit yourself

BikeRunSki · 23/12/2019 06:42

Overthinking, it’s fine.

Jesskir89 · 23/12/2019 06:46

Op me and dh like reggie and my work colleague has also just had a reggie but when he's born, if it suits he will still be reggie. It's not like your sons will be best friends so don't worry. Congratulations btw

notnowmaybelater · 23/12/2019 06:51

It doesn't matter - and I've rarely heard the middle names of work colleagues children. Arlo was pretty unusual ten years ago but in certain circles is now one of the most common at the moment, so it won't raise eyebrows that you've also chosen it any more than two adult Davids, Pauls or Toms in a room does.

Happyandglorious · 23/12/2019 07:12

I don't think it matters long term but I get the feeling of having copied and needing to explain that you haven't.
Would you consider adding a middle name in between? Not that you need to.
Ultimately it really doesnt matter. But I would mention to her that you had pre chosen those names if asked and say I was so worried you'd be upset blah blah but those were names you had picked out ages ago and most of all, enjoy your baby!

BikeRunSki · 23/12/2019 07:17

Your son (if it is a boy), will be your son for decades and decades (fingers crossed). Your colleague maybe not be your colleague in a few years time.

Boymummy3 · 23/12/2019 08:11

You have said you won't be going back to that employer anyway so it really doesn't matter and wouldn't matter even if you was... If you like the name go for it. You have a while yet anyway don't stress over something that in fairness may not end up even being a problem (if you have a girl) plus I always liked a certain boys name and im having my 3rd baby and 3rd boy now and none of them have the name I've always loved because I quite frankly went off it. So you never know you may have a boy and when he's born think oh he doesn't look like an arlo x

DoTheNextRightThing · 23/12/2019 08:26

Do it! Don't let a work colleague put you off. Besides I'm sure they won't comment on Jacob if it's your DH's name.

RhymingRabbit3 · 23/12/2019 08:31

The two children will probably never meet.

You and your colleague probably won't be working together in 5 years time.

You could just tell them the name is Arlo and not announce middle name. If they ask, tell them the truth but act like you forgot it was also their sons middle name.

Fleamaker123 · 23/12/2019 08:33

I'd just use it. It's only a work colleague. And you don't have to to explain why either! It really wouldn't bother me if anyone picked the same name as me, we don't own them. Good luck and congrats

squee123 · 23/12/2019 14:16

as above, just don't announce the middle name to colleagues if you're that bothered

Darkstar4855 · 23/12/2019 14:18

I wouldn’t worry, in my baby groups there are lots of kids with the same name! It really doesn’t matter.

KellyMarieTunstall2 · 23/12/2019 14:19

Keep your name choice.

Notsure94 · 23/12/2019 14:22

Choose the name you love. To heck with anyone else. If it is a boy and you're still in touch you can just say you've gone for Arlo and don't mention middle name if it makes you feel less awkward but I wouldn't worry.

SittingAround1 · 23/12/2019 14:57

There were two boys born to two colleagues with the same name a few years ago. Nobody said anything or thought it was weird.

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