In love with a name we realized others already took

babyduran · August 2014

My husband [and family] and I were talking about names and fell in love with our top contenders. Both the boy and girl top picks are sort of new and trendy without being overdone or weird.

Weeks later, I've realized that a sorority sister who I've lost touch with (but others haven't) and a coworker who I work pretty closely with (but have never met his family) both have daughters with our favorite girl name.

If it's a girl, do we go with our favorite and risk the perception of stealing or copying those names or should we come up with another option?

cls78 · August 2014

Nobody owns a name. Use it if you like it.

maltwin1 · August 2014

I would check the SSA popular baby name list. That will probably give you an idea of how popular the name really is. Chances are if it's a bit trendy quite a few people have used if because it's a name they love. I wouldn't worry about other people having it if it's what you love. Unless it's some super unique family name I don't think you can steal a name from someone else.

jennjilljo · August 2014

I have 3 cousins named Ashley and that has never hurt or offended anyone so I say use it. Worst case scenario someone says that they had that name first and you get to tell them it's a good name.

Ducktale · August 2014

Even if some of best friends already had the name, I still would probably use it if I loved it. You can't predict where you'll be in a few years and you might lose touch. Only if close family members (like my siblings) used a name would it be totally off the table.

Someone I'm not in close touch with? No question, use the name.

babyduran · August 2014

Thank you everyone! This is super helpful and is definitely the boost of confidence we needed

Nvywife · August 2014

I have two cousins named Emily, and my sister just named her daughter Emily. Even used the same middle name as one of the cousins. Bottom line she loved the name and didn't care what other family members thought about her using it.

AshleySparkle720 · August 2014

This happened to us. The one boy name we chose 2 old coworkers (1 I keep in touch with 1 I don't) are using. We will still use it because I refuse to give up the only boy name we agree on and love.

Irishcurls · August 2014

Neither of those are even close to people I'd consider "too close." My BFF and I like the same girl name, it's still on her list if she has another. We're both fine with it.

EdenAurora · August 2014

My brothers both named their daughters Emily. If you like a name, use it.

mamabumkin · August 2014

It was a little odd when my first cousin named her daughter my name, both first and middle...sadly I am not sure she even realized it because we're not all that close. Then another cousin of mine had his first son and named him Alex, same as my son (who was already 9 at the time.) Same cousin had a little girl a year ago, and sure enough they named her my favorite name for a girl (if I had another one) Isabella.

I won't be using Isabella for my daughter (if that is what we have.) But that is because it's a pretty close relative and I like to be more original then apparently some of my relatives. Of course I used to love the name Sophia before The Walking Dead. A full season of them shouting her name pretty much did it for me. However, we're very happy with the name we picked out for both a girl and a boy, in a few weeks we'll know which it will be. I think that's the most important thing...to be happy with the name you are giving your child.

mom2xover2002 · August 2014

Lol & here I am being begged by family members NOT to use a first name someone else has unless it's a grandparent. Lol... We have 3 Timothy's, 2 Melanie's, 2 Stacey's, 2 jerri (or versions of), 2 Chris's, 2 Richards (or versions of), 2 Charlie's, 2 Gary's etc... It really makes naming fun! Lol

HerHighness · August 2014

Unless its my best friend or very close family id use the name. One of my sorority sisters daughters and my daughter have the same first name. Neither of us care. She lives in a different state and our kids never socialize. She and i mostly chat on Facebook.

Neesey · August 2014

My mom's best friend has a granddaughter name Kinsley. Not stopping us from using Kinsey if we have a girl. If my sister had a child with the same name then I'd probably change....or the family dog. I had a friend with the same name as her grandparents' dog and it was always a family joke.

kimmykaye · August 2014

Use the name you love. My cousin and I are 6 months apart and have the same name (spelled differently). No big deal.

sincerelyapril · August 2014

One of my really close girlfriends and I have had the same dream baby girl name since we were kids ( before we knew each other). We realized it when we were discussing my pregnancy. Neither of us thought it was a big deal, and both still plan on using it some day.

diamond7986 · August 2014

Go for it!

chickyclg · August 2014

I would use the name you love, I told a friend of mine who's daughter's name is Madison that I have always loved that name and to not be upset if I used it. DH and I figured we are choosing a name that will last a lifetime, so we don't care "if someone had it first", because our children will have their names forever, not just the length of their parents friendship.

Mar&Bob · August 2014

I say, if you love it then use it. I am kind of in the same boat, my good friend is due 1 month before me and she is having a boy. Her name was one of my top names and it still is!

MrsTucker2011 · August 2014

Do it if you love it. Unless you make up your own name, somebody out in the world already has every name.

schnitz9 · August 2014

The only time I ever see an issue with duplicate names is when it comes to family. Non of these people are family. I can't stand when people say "that's my name". That's ridiculous. No body owns a name. It's like clothing. Like when someone say your wearing my shirt. There are billions of people in the world someone can't have the same name? If there's an issue tell them tough. They want the name so bad go to a copyright lawyer and go in front of a judge to get a copyright on it. Then watch as they all laugh in their face.

junebugjam · August 2014

I hate when I open up a name post and nobody tells the name! I want to know!

And like others said, I would probably use it anyway if I loved it that much.