How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

DH and I both love the name Jack. It's been "our name" for a boy for years and it's one of the only boys names that we can agree on. In December, his cousin had a baby boy and they named him John, but they said they would be calling him Jack. They really don't even refer to the baby by his birth name...it's always Jack. Now, this cousin lives in Georgia and we only see them *maybe* once a year...really only for big family events like weddings and funerals. It's DH's mom's brother's grandson.

I still feel like we should use the name Jack if we have a boy. DH isn't sure...he feels like it would be copying or not really right to use it since his cousin's son is called Jack. I also feel like if we try to pick a name that no one we know has used, it's going to be impossible.

So, how do we all feel about using a name that someone we know has also used?

Message edited 4/4/2016 3:18:13 PM.

How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

I am a firm believer of using the name you like best no matter who has the name. A name is a name for life, no one can claim a name. If I loved a name I would use it even if it were my brothers kid who had the name. I have 2 cousins named Kevin, close family friends with my cousin named Thomas, etc... We don't claim names in my family.

How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

Use the name you love.So many people in DH's family have the same name. His sister and cousin have the same name; DH, his son and nephew all have the same name; his brother and cousin have the same name - it's not a big deal for any of them

Re: How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

Definitely use it. My cousin and I who lived in Virginia and is now back on LI both loved the name Liam for a boy. We joked about racing for a boy but really it would be fine if they had the same name. We see each other a few times a year, but who cares? Ironically, there's three girls so far.

Re: How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

I think it's fine, especially since it's someone you don't see all the time.

Re: How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

I agree. If you love it, use it. DS1 has the same name as my sister's nephew on the other side of the family (so DS1's cousins have two cousins with the same name). And for DS3 we are considering the same name as my first cousin's son.

How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

Use it. I used to care about things like that. One of our names is in the "family" and I really could care less.
Go with what you love.

How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

I say use it. We come from Italian families where everyone has similar names. If you like the name, use it. People are going to use names, no matter what.

Re: How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

I would not use it.

How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

I'd feel a little funny but if I loved it I'd still use it, especially since you basically never see them.

Message edited 4/4/2016 11:31:41 AM.

How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

I was adamant about not giving my kids any name that a relative already has, first or middle. But I think you're far enough removed to use it if you'd like. I love the name Jack but that's FIL's name so if we had a boy, we wouldn't have used it.

Re: How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

Use it!

Re: How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

Use it.

How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

Use it!! My cousin "took" my girl name and so far I only have boys but if one day I have a DD we will have 2 in the family. If you love a name go with what you love.

How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

I would still use it. I think there are 5 John/Jacks in my family!

Re: How do we feel about sing a name that a family member has also used?

I would still use it, especially if you never see them. In my family I have a few cousins who share the same name.

How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

Use the name you like! Mine and DH's family have plenty of first cousins with the same name.

Re: How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

If it were a first cousin or close friend, etc I'd say no. But this seems so far removed, I think its fine!

Re: How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

Use it!
If it was a sibling or a close family member then I would feel differently but in this situation I think you are fine.

Re: How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

I wouldn't use it, but thats just me. Unless its a family name, thats different. My DH family has cousins (and also the kids of said cousins) and a million of them have the same name, drives me nuts, LOL. I don't think there is anything wrong if you DO use it, its just not for me, Im with your husband on this one.

How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

I'm kind of torn on this one. This past summer DH's cousin announced that she was having a girl and naming it the name DH and I have loved for years. I was devastated. The more I thought about it I decided that if we ever had a girl maybe I would use the name anyway if I still loved it. His cousin moved to Israel and we see them once a year so I thought it might not be a big deal. When she had the baby in December and we started getting pictures and hearing about her the name lost its magic for me. Now if we have a girl we definitely will not be using it. It feels like a name that belongs to someone else in the family now.

We also had it happen to us this past fall. We had DS in June 2014 and about 15 months later a cousin of DH used the same first name. Not the same cousin mentione above, one from the other side of his family. Anyway I found it odd that they used the same name and felt a bit territorial over it. It's not a family name and there are infinite other name possibilities, why use what we just picked? It seems strange to me but I would never hold a grudge over it or make a scene to them. I guess if it would make you happy then go for it.

How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

I am currently struggling with this. We had chosen a name that we both liked. It is currently the only one that we both agree on. But, I have a slight hang-up about it because my son's preschool friend has the same name as does my husband's BIL. Now, we realized the connection to the BIL AFTER the friend and weeks and months after we picked out the name if that says anything about our relationship. I have met him exactly twice. But it is causing me to hesitate. My husband thinks I'm crazy.

How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

I think if it was a girl's name I would be more hesitant to use the same name but since it's a boy I would use it. I think I'm more open to it with boys cause everyone in my family is either, Michael, John, Anthony or Thomas lol. Plus, you don't see them that often and his "real" name is John. So use the name you love !

How do we feel about using a name that a family member has also used?

I can't begin to tell you how many Justin's there are in my family. Use whatever name you want!