I have decided to keep my chosen names 'secret' until I name a child. We've had a girl's name chosen for about 7 years now (even though we didn't start ttc until 2006)... My DH's best friend and wife chose to name their daughter that name when she was born in 2006 (just before we started TTC).

As we hadn't told anyone, I couldn't really say anything... but they hadn't told anyone their choice of names either, so it was a matter of both of us (well 4 of us if you include DP's) had chosen the same names (I guess that's why we're friends - we like similar stuff). So although it feels disappointing that they chose our name, it's not like they stole it...

I think it would also be a bit rude if we 'put dibs' on the name that we had chosen... How do I know they hadn't chosen it before us? It's kinda "You're dammed if you do, You're dammed if you don't". If you announce the names you like right from the start, you risk someone else liking it and using it, but if you don't announce your names, someone might 'put dibs' on it first anyway....

Names are not 'owned'. It's strange how people are so determined to have an original name for their child, when in the scheme of things, it really doesn't matter. My DS has a pretty original name, and I still have to meet someone who shares it, but I couldn't care less if he was the only one with it or there were others with it too...