How close is too close to copy a name?

redhead2466 · April 2011

I know this is a pretty vague question, so I'll throw out a couple examples. What if a fellow bumpie 'took" your LO's name? Or a FB friend? What about a cousin....either your cousin's name or their child's?

These are some scenarios I'm facing (although I'm sure DH will hate those names, like all the other names I like....and vice versa Sad ). I like two of my cousins' names but then it would be like a namesake which I don't want. Also, a FB friend of mine (a guy I went to University 10 yrs ago...haven't spoken to him in probably 9 yrs) has a daughter with a name I like...

Or put another way....is there a name you like, but you feel it's off-limits because someone close to you has a LO with the same name?

princesspeach26 · April 2011

My opinion is no one owns a name, go for it

jesh1111 · April 2011

My son and my sisters son have the same name. Ours goes by his nickname in family gatherings. It works.

maiken1027 · April 2011

I think it depends on how close you are. I wouldn't hesitate using the same name as a friend from college that you barely talk to, I have vetoed names that my cousin's children have though.

dairygirl19 · April 2011

I won't name my child after close friends, children of close friends or family I'm close with.

Everything else is fair game.

Fellow bumpies, long lost fb friends etc. never cross my mind.

miller4285 · April 2011

princesspeach26:
My opinion is no one owns a name, go for it

Yup.

I swear, when I see someone getting their panties in a bunch over someone "stealing" their name...I wanna call the waaahmbulance for them.

Tough sh*t. Get over it. It's a name. Do you not have *important* issues that SHOULD require stress and worry?

mbritto4 · April 2011

I have a cousin Laurie followed by a Laura on the same side. Mom kind of side eyed aunt #2 but it's not been a huge issue since we only see those cousins a few times a year and they look nothing alike. I'd not name my child after someone you see all the time unless it's intentional, since people would probably "go there" anyways assuming that's why you did. A casual acquaintance I never see with the same kid name I'd not really be concerned about.

Firefly9 · April 2011

My matron-of-honor is pregnant with twin boys, and we both agreed that if we wind up picking the same name, we don't care. She isn't sharing, and we aren't deciding until we meet him. She's technically due a week-10 days after me, but because she's having twins, she'll probably have them first. If one of the names on our list fits our boy and it just so happens to be one she's chosen, so be it. The middle names will be different, I'm sure, as will the last names, obviously, so it doesn't matter. It'd just show we both have great taste in names, right?

duhdaisy86 · April 2011

princesspeach26:
My opinion is no one owns a name, go for it

ITA

Mrs.Leah.Maria · April 2011

sing4mysavior:
i wouldn't name my own children the same name....other than that----free game IMO!

This.

kell8807 · April 2011

It wouldn't bother me unless it was someone I would see all the time. Like close friend or close relative. There are going to be people that have the same name, so I don't think it's that big of an issue.

damabo80 · April 2011

Unless it is a sibling's kid, then it's a free for all.

Five_letter · April 2011

I grew up in an predominantly Italian town. Everyone in the family was named after each other.

We had a family with 3 Giovanna's Big Giovanna, Baby Giovanna and Giovanna (cousins).

Same with Gabriella's, Gabriels, Dominics, Anthonys....

My BFF and I were just talking about a bridal shower next week where the MOB has 12 total siblings and 4 of them are named Mary (just with different middle names).

Personally, only immediate friends and family names are off limit unless their family names. Then you can do what you want.

amygoable · April 2011

I would unfriend someone on FB if I were to steal their kid's name, at least if the kid were under 4 or 5. People love to be original now, so if I actually wanted to stay friends with the person, I probably wouldn't steal it just out of respect. There are plenty of names!

MH is totally against living namesakes, so he won't let me name baby after anyone we have contact with, with the excuse that it would be confusing. You know, the once in five years I see my old college friend with the same name. But I personally think taking adult names is no biggie. One of my sons happened to have the same name as someone I didn't like from high school and a doctor I hated, but it wasn't about them!

So I figure if someone just named their baby within the last few years, let the name be their special gift for a while, but after 4 or 5 years it's up for grabs!

abell77 · April 2011

no one owns a name, so a name cannot be stolen. do as you wish. we are avoiding a couple names because our friends have children with the same name, but it's because we don't want their to be confusion among friends we see regularly, rather than feeling as though we are not allowed to use the name.

beekernbaby · April 2011

Pick the name you like and don't worry about others.

Heather&Ben · April 2011

We like a name that someone we know has name their son - he's at least 4 now if not older -- we may just use it b/c we love it -- we aren't in contact that much w/ them now...

TristaD81 · April 2011

dairygirl19:

I won't name my child after close friends, children of close friends or family I'm close with.

Everything else is fair game.

Fellow bumpies, long lost fb friends etc. never cross my mind.

This.

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