Similar name to cousin - should I do it??

**LuluHB** · December 21st, 2011, 04:10 PM

This little bundle is another gorgeous girl so that's No. 3 for us. I love the name Charlotte. DH isn't overly keen on Charlotte, but really loves Charlie and we tend to shorten names in this house so a nickname would definitely be used. His so-so about Charlotte is why neither of DD1 or 2 were named that, but he is softening on it now. He is no help at all when it comes to names so its not like he is going to come up with a better option that he likes more

My brother had a little girl in June this year and her name is Charlie - whole name, not shortened. My brother and I haven't spoken in almost 20 years so there will be no contact whatsoever, but I'm feeling a little funny about naming my daughter such a similar name.

So, what do you all think? Should I do it or not?

**Charlotte91** · December 21st, 2011, 04:16 PM

My name is Charlotte (hence the username). I rarely get called Charlie, only my grandfather called me that.
I'm always Char. I generally go by Char.

**onthefly** · December 21st, 2011, 04:21 PM

I think it's fine

**Maruschke** · December 21st, 2011, 04:27 PM

I think it's fine too, 20 years is a long time. I love the name too.

***Ang*** · December 21st, 2011, 04:51 PM

No I wouldn't use it even if I loved the name.

***EJ*** · December 21st, 2011, 04:56 PM

Similar situation here.

DH and i fell is love with Charlie for our DS2's name but the only thing was we have a niece called Charlize and she would often get Charlie. She is a niece that we actually see quite regularly also.

We angonised over it for a little bit but nothing ever changed the fact that we loved the name and at the end of the day it was our choice.

So when DS2 arrived he was named Charlie and we did explain that we definately thought of the resemblance to our niece but loved the name so much. It was fine with all the family as far as i am aware.

If anything now most (even myself) refrain from actually shortening her name so much now. I think her parents still may call her Charlie at times but she also gets Cha Cha.

In your situation it sounds that there is even less contact with your brother. Go with it if it's what you want

And now that i think of it my SIL's stepsister also called her little boy Charlie, so they may or may not have been thinking the same thing when choosing his name.

**Artechim** · December 21st, 2011, 04:56 PM

I would. It is a different name and they are never going to know that you use Charli as a nick name. Unless your parents that see all the grandkids and would have two called the same?

**Liviam** · December 21st, 2011, 08:14 PM

I'd use it hun - I love Charlotte!! And it goes beautifully with your other little girls too.

**Ca Plane Pour Moi** · December 21st, 2011, 08:24 PM

I don't see a problem with it. If you haven't seen your brother in 20 years, are you even supposed to know what his daughter is called?

An alternative nickname could be Lottie - I've known some really lovely Lotties.

**Kimbles01** · December 21st, 2011, 08:25 PM

You could use Lotte as a nickname, that's a bit cute

Flying Butter - snap!

**LuluHB** · December 21st, 2011, 08:27 PM

I love Lotti, but at the moment I have to support DH's preference for Charlie otherwise he might veto Charlotte completely (again!). Up to girl no. 3 and my ability to come up with names that we both love seems to be exhausted.

Artechim - my brother is estranged from our entire family, so no problem for grandparents

**luna moth** · December 22nd, 2011, 12:46 PM

I wouldn't do it.

**delphmoon** · December 22nd, 2011, 02:43 PM

I would. My cousin shares my name and I don't mind lol.

Sent from my iPhone

**nickers** · December 22nd, 2011, 02:58 PM

my brothers DD name is Alexandra and our 1st cousin named their DD Alexis.
i also used to go out with a guy and one of his cousins had the same name, they lived i different states and see each other every few years.
i think it would be fine

**jackrose** · December 22nd, 2011, 03:16 PM

I think it would be fine. Charlotte is a lovely name and your DH may soften to it so much that he can't bear to shorten it!

Even if you do go with the Charlie nickname, I don't think it would be a major deal. I know a family with 5 girls called Olivia, all named after their grandmother and they love it. Also, in my family, my cousin's name is Sarah-Rose, her aunt was Sarah and two other cousins were named Sarah and Rose. They all love the connection their names gave them. They all had different surnames and their first names tied them all together.

Otherwise, as suggested Lottie is also a lovely nickname, as is Charlie but pronounced as the name Charlotte is pronounced - Sharlie.

**Beach Mama** · December 22nd, 2011, 03:38 PM

Yep if you love it I would go for it hun. 20 years is a long time and I don't know the circumstances but let's say there was a reconciliation - so 2 little girls have the same name?? Doesn't really matter if you are happy with it!