Using the name of a relatives dog

susykat77

So, my grandfather's name is Oscar and I have loved his name forever and DH also loves the name. I would really love to use it for a first name. Well, my SIL has a dog named Oscar. He is about 5 years old so he could have another 10 years or so left in him (I am not wishing him gone, I love the dog). We see them about 1-2 times a month and are very close. I am having a hard time letting go of the name because of a dog... Thoughts?

karlimonster

Use it! Oscar is a normal enough name that it won't sound like you named him after the dog. Plus, it is awesome.

kmvisioli

I think it would be a little confusing if you see them often and are close. I'd middle name it.

SmrBrd2012

when in doubt, middle name it!

susykat77

Thanks for the input ladies!!

lm45678

Personally, I think it would be really weird for your kid to have the same name as the dog. Oscar is also totally NMS which makes me feel even more strongly about not using it. I would mn it if you want to use it due to family significance.

doodleoodle

If it bothers you then don't use it. If you're okay with it then use it. Your opinion and DH's are the only opinions that matter.

LizaKate1213

Pretty surprised by the poll results. I would absolutely NOT use the name Oscar if you are close with your sister in law. So much no. If you really feel like you have to use it, put it in the middle name spot.

emilyray14

Use it! It ended up that my sister's daughter has the same name as my uncle's dog. No one really cares or notices. I love Oscar, go for it! 

LoveLee85

All our relatives have dogs with normal human names. It's frustrating when Max, Stella, and other great baby names are taken by animals. LOL I feel your pain. Our family dog was named Bobo and my DH loves the name Beau but I couldn't bring myself to name him after my hold good dog. Some it's a big deal, others it's not. I would most likely put it in MN spot if it were me. 

kaylynne

It worked for Indiana Jones.

PhoebeJune1984

If you love it, and it has special meaning to you, use it. Just because the dog CAN live another 10 years or so....doesn't mean that he will. He could bust loose tomorrow and get hit by a car and be dead (hopefully that doesn't happen, but it could!). If you used a different name that you didn't like as much, just because of the dog, and the dog passed away.....would you regret not using that name? I once had a dog named Sam.....the name still ended up on our list. Not because of the fact that I loved the dog, but because it is also the name of MH's grandpa, uncle, and our good friend. You wouldn't be naming the child after the dog, you would be naming him after a family member.

F47

I would use it. My childhood dog was Daisy, and it was also on my girl name list with DS1. Hubby wouldn't go for it, and we had a boy anyway, but I loved the name. (And that dog...)

erinms

Have you talked to SIL about it?  Not that she gets to decide your baby name, but if she thinks it is NBD then that makes it less likely to bother you/her/everyone.  I love the name Oscar and think naming your child after your grandpa would be great.