Copying our sons name

I was always going to name my children Alexander and Charlotte, but then my sister named her daughter who was born first Alexandra. So my boys name went out the window cause I wasn't going to have an Alexandra & Alexander in the family.

Don't know if I could be classed as using a friends' child's name. A good work friend's DD is also named Maggie, but she is 17 years older than my Maggie. As most of our conversations revolved around work and friends, not family, I had not thought about her daughter when picking a name.

It so happened that we were discussing names and mentioned that I liked Maggie. Luckily she, of course, thought it was a great name and agreed we should use it. It never came up between us about copying or stealing. She is the type of person that if she had an issue she would have said something. Considering that only catch up occasionally I don't think having the same name matters, especially with the age difference.

I don't think it should be a problem. You have the right to name your baby whatever you want to, as does everyone else. If its a name you or they like, then why not use it?

The only condition I would put on that is having someone in the same family of the same generation with that name. We had that situation when naming Al, and discovered he had a second cousin with the original choice of name we had chosen. They would have both had the same first and second name and are only 12months apart. So we changed to Alexander (after a lot of discussions).

How does Lincoln feel about it? Is he old enough to care?
When I was about 3 one of Mum's friends used my name for her daughter (it was quite uncommon then although its very popular now) and I thought it was really exciting.

actually you know what I think I will change my initial thoughts on this matter, I have about 30 cousins amongst us all there are two Tom's, three Catherines, an Alexander, an Alexandria, an Isobel and an Isabella, an Emily (me) and an Emma, two Richards and a Bridget - and no one ever really cared! we all just got different shortened versions - for example I am Em, and Emma is Emsie

I think it should be ok - each child will have a different personality! we all do!

This is a tough one! I think if you are together often then one will probably have a nickname. I think since you already told them it is ok, it would probably be a hard thing for them to hear you are now not ok with it. It is so exciting to finally pick the baby name, and they will be dissapointed if they have to change it. Can you think of a nickname you (or they) like and could use when you are together?

Yeah that sucks.
But - if they stick to their guns then they will probably have everyone who knows you both questioning the name once they find out....and everyone will know they 'copied' you. I'm sure they'll get criticism from others (well, maybe)....and if they're telling people already (?) then they might just get so much they change the name!

My favourite names for both a boy and a girl were taken by close friends, so we went back in to the 'name pool' to find something else.

If close friends named their child the same as mine, I wouldnt like it. (It just seems 'wierd' to me!) If they are people you rarely see, or socialise with, I wouldnt mind.

I think it best if you can get the confidence to say something to your friend - because if you don't, you will have a daily reminder of this instance because their son will always be called the same as your son!

Good luck!

It's interesting hearing everyone's opinion. I can understand about the whole "I don't own the name Lincoln" thing. I'm just disappointed because we chose it because no one we knew had a son called Lincoln. I don't know if I'd have the courage to say anything now that I've already said I don't mind. I just hope they change their mind or I'll just have to learn to live with it.