I just need to vent...feel free to ignore

MrMrsandBaby · July 2014

DH and I have decided on two names for a boy and a girl. The boy names were decided a long time ago, the girl names we have been iffy on for a while but finally agreed we love Katherine and Abigail so why keep looking. Well, you may remember, my sister is Cathryn and DH's sister is Catherine.

Katherine is DH's grandmother's name (MN Mae after my grandmother). When my mom asked - I know, I should have kept it to myself - I told her we were flipping between Katherine and Abigail. Her immediate response was "Abigail is a beautiful name." So I replied with "So is Katherine." She just gave me a look and let it go.

I really hope people are smart enough to realize we didn't pick Katherine because of our sisters. More like in spite of. DH and his haven't seen each other in over a year and don't really talk. I see mine all the time but we aren't exactly best buddies. Both go by Cathy and we wouldn't use a nickname. I just get so frustrated that I'm already working on ways to shut down the "Just like your sisters" comments.

Naming people is hard.

MrsSinner402 · July 2014

Bah. Frustrations! You wouldn't use a nickname then? I love the name Kate, short for Katherine. That might clear up any confusion and keep her real full name as an homage to your grandmother? Just an idea!

MrMrsandBaby · July 2014

We thought about Kate, and if we did shorten it, Kate would be the winner. But that is one reason we shy away from Abigail, we automatically go to Abby and both DH and I are big fans of using the given name (DD is Allison, do NOT call her Allie!).

It's silly but it's us

bumpuser10309732 · July 2014

Haha I feel the same way about Abby but I love Abigail. That's the same reason I don't want to use Adelyn for a FN. Why do people have to shorten everything? Mom's should just shh and lie if they don't like it! Also why do they care why you chose Katherine, if that's what you love it doesn't really matter where it came from IMO. I love both names though.

Littledeer84 · July 2014

I have to be honest, I would assume since you both had sisters with that name that you used it for that reason. I would be that person who would say "just like your sisters! " I fear you will hear it a lot. It is a great name though, if you can handle the comments!

MrMrsandBaby · July 2014

@Littledeer84 - I'm sure I will hear it from everyone at least once, but I'm hoping (if it's a girl and we use Katherine) it will only take one look and correction from me to never hear it again

Why is Katherine such a pretty name?!?! Seriously!!!

angeltennis3 · July 2014

I know it's frustrating but I agree, you will probably hear it a lot that you named your DD after sisters. If it bugs you that much, honestly I would just go with Abigail. It is just going to make other innocent bystanders feel awkward if you have to correct them every time they say something like that.

MissMandyD · July 2014

I am sorry. That sucks. I don't understand why people feel the need to comment like that. My mom did the same thing about our girl's middle and first name. She keeps saying that the middle name is pretty and that she doesn't like or isn't crazy about the first name or the nickname we have picked for the first name.

MrMrsandBaby · July 2014

Yeah, I'm not sharing anymore and we are basically Team Green so no one will know in advance.

Eastie156 · July 2014

Girl names are soooo hard. We are split between Harper and Abigail, but leaning toward Abigail. I like both names you and your H have chosen, forget about others opinions of your names. They are both beautiful.

MrsL2B · July 2014

We have a lot of names we like that are shared by family members, and we really want to avoid anyone thinking that we've singled out one family member to honor by naming our (probably only) son after him. So those are all pretty much out for us. It would be nice if people wouldn't make assumptions.

erinchrisitne424 · July 2014

Just a suggestions if you go with Katherine if she does want to have a nick name she could go by "Kat" My sisters BFFs name is Katherine and has gone by Kat most of her life Cathy doesn't have to be the default shortened name. Both names are beautiful though!

JessAnnJ · July 2014

Sorry to say it, and I am generally a huge fan of families minding their own business when it comes to names, but I can see where your mom is coming from. With all of the possible names out there it is very unusual to pick the same name as one of your siblings and both of you have a sibling with that name. Ultimately the decision is up to you, but you need to go into it expecting a lot of comments from people. If it bothers you a lot to hear the comments you may want to go with Abigail.

The name issue for us is the hardest thing about being team green. We are struggling to decide on a girl name and we may not even need one.

Aurora1181 · July 2014

All of them are lovely names- but as PP's have said, people are going to automatically assume that Katherine comes from both of your sisters. I'm right there with ya on the nickname thing- often the first comment on my boy's name is "oh what will be his nickname?" and I always have to say, "we're going to call him by his full name.. no nickname." I'm sure he'll have nicknames growing up given to him by friends, coaches, etc.. but mom and dad will always use his full name

Go with your gut on this one- if you love Katherine and end up using it, own it!

ashie0610 · July 2014

I love the name Katherine. It's my sister's name and she goes by Katie, which I also love. I would consider using it if I were having a girl! I think it's different enough in both spelling and nicknames from your sister and SIL so everyone else would just have to deal with it.

kikimeemee · July 2014

I'm a derivative of Katherine, as is my mom, my close maternal cousin, and my grandma. There are so many beautiful names in this world that I don't understand why people choose repeats. I had five other girls in my high school homeroom class that were all Katie so I'm going to push for Abigail!