Names to close to relative names?

jhasselt

We're team green and trying to figure out names!  I want to keep the name a secret from family, because I love the surprise of calling them with a name already picked.  My issue is that we have a big immediately family and the names I like are so similar to names already within the family.  So, I'm looking for opinions on if you'd care or not about these names.

 Ellie - I have a niece named Allie.  Is this too weird?

Evelyn - I have a aunt with the same name that I am NOT close to.

Lucy - I have a sister-in-law Lacey.  Is this too weird?

Aubrey - I love this name, but my friend has a daughter with the same name and I know she wouldn't care, so it's on the list.

Henry - Love, love love this name, so it's on the list.

James -My Dad's name, but my Dad hates his name, so is it weird to use it? 

 These are probably dumb questions, but my husband just says whatever I want.  So, I'm just curious if people think Lucy and Ellie are too close to family names.  Sorry for the long post!  TIA!

elizabethlee9

I think Ellie is to close to Allie. But I love Lucy and think it's different enough from Lacey. Good luck!

persephonerose

Ellie although very much rhymes with Allie I do not think it is really an issue. I like Evelyn but if you are not close to the aunt I wouldn't use it. I don't see where Lucy and Lacey would be a problem. James is NMS but I'm not sure if its weird to use a name of someone if that person does not like it. However, seeing the name on his grandchild might make him like the name more. Hard to tell, perhaps ask Dad what he thinks and if he has specific reasons for not liking his name that might be helpful to decide if you really like James or not.

kayjay10

Ellie and Allie are too close IMO, but I do not think Lucy and Lacey are too close.  I would use Lucy if you love it.  I would definitely use Evelyn.  What about Henry James for boy's name?  You could honor your dad, but since he hates his name it would be a mn.

kristinc01

I'm not sure if Ellie will be a nickname for something or if Allie is a nickname, but I have a niece that goes by Maddi (real name Madilyn) and I named my daugher Addison and some realivies call her Addie so although the nicknames sound really similar no one ever said anything about the names being too close since the actual names aren't close. 

Helenahhandbasket

Will Ellie be a NN for something, or are you just calling her Ellie?  I think that would make a difference.

Lucy is totally different from lacey-- and it's a great name.

Evelyn is also a great name, but family members might assume you named her after your aunt.  Not sure if that would bother you.

I like the PP suggestion of Henry James.  That is a nice solid boy's name!

jhasselt

It would be just Ellie and my niece (who is 17 years older) is just Allie.  I've thought about it being a nickname for Elizabeth, but of course that would have to be DH's ex's name..  I guess Evelyn isn't that big of a deal, since DS1 has the same name as my Uncle, I just never thought about it.  I have 29 nephews and nieces along with 13 aunts/uncles not including SO's, so it gets hard to not double up.  Of course, my cousin and I have the exact same first name, so I guess my family doesn't really consider that stuff!!!  LOL  I'm putting way to much thought into this!  Thanks for the advice!  I appreciate it!