Girl name help!

bhenley9478 · September 2015

my SO and I are expecting our first baby in about 4 weeks or so and we still have yet to come up with a name. We have a few that we've talked about, but nothing special that has stuck out. The more I thought about it, I wanted a name that meant something. My grandpa passed away 2 years ago and he was like a father figure to me and would love to honor him and name our baby after him; his name was Michael. We are, however, having a girl. I instantly was attached emotionally to the name Michaela for her and shared with my SO but he has a cousin, who named her daughter Michaela. First-that doesn't bother me because of the reason we'd be naming her that, and second-they don't even live near us and it's not like they'd be hanging out all the time?? And even if they were, who cares! They'd have different middle and last names. So I'm hoping for some help - what do you think of my situation? Should I push for Michaela which I'm totally in love with, and he's totally against? Also, do you have any other alternatives for Michaela? (Can't be Michelle, long story). Xoxo

curfam4 · September 2015

Honestly, I would just go with Michaela, especially given that you don't live close to each other. Several of my cousins share names (on my Dad's side, there are 3 Jacob's, one being my brother, and 2 Eli's), and two of the Jacob's live within 1/2 an hour of each other. It's never been a big deal to anyone

Knottie16288692 · September 2015

You can use Michael as a girls name also. My dad's name is Michael and I thought if we had a girl I would name her after him. We're having a boy and he's being named after his dad lol We came up with Michal Rose, Michal Emily, and Michal Elizabeth.

meghan82 · September 2015

i really like the name michaela. to me it depends on how far apart the 2 michaelas would be in age, i guess. for example my husband's cousin had a baby boy last year and he is named ben, so i ruled out ben, even though our kids would see each other once a year, if that. it's all somewhat arbitrary though. we also strongly considered matthew even though my brother-in-law's name is matthew. if you have your heart set on it, it's not like there's no precedent for having multiple family members with the same name! i know a family where michael is a very popular name: 2 sisters both married guys named michael, their brother is named michael, and one of the girls named her son michael jr!! i feel like it's less common with girls but then again my aunt and grandma are both named margaret!

alternatives (similar sound but no relation to the name michael): mackenzie or mckenna?

bhenley9478 · September 2015

Thank you for the advice! They would be about 10 years apart so quite a difference. I'll have to share everyone's advice and see if he will come around. Thanks for the alternatives as well!

AmandaRN03 · September 2015

Maybe Micah?

Girls with boys name is all the rage. Just yesterday I had girl patients named Joey and Max. Also our middle name for a girl is after my FIL and is very male!

Louisl · September 2015

Miko?

cbolton19 · September 2015

You could use Michael for a girl. My husband and I had a landlord and her name was Michael. I do also think Michaela would be fine, especially with the age difference, location, reason, and last name also being different. Is that the only reason your husband doesn't want the name, because of his cousins daughter?

rucamarie89 · September 2015

In Italian it's spelled Michela. Maybe different spelling will work?

rucamarie89 · September 2015

Me-kel-ah

tbasinski · September 2015

Michelynn? Mischa? Micah?

Soashwifey · September 2015

I think it's a great thing that you want to honor your grandfather. I really do like the name Michaela and I don't think it matters if a cousin has the same name. However, if your hubby is against it, I would try to find something else. Maybe he would be happier if you give her the middle name of Michaela? Good luck!

beanie1977 · September 2015

I grew up with a girl named Michael Anne. It was a pretty name and they used her middle name always. I like that, if your SO won't go for Michaela.

vamomtobe · September 2015

If he's really uncomfortable with using a name a somewhat distant relative has already used (but I agree that it's totally fine!), how about Mia, Maya, or Mischa? The suggestion from @Soashwifey to use it as a middle name is also a great way to honor your grandfather and make your daughter's name special in meaning.