Dealbreaker? Settled on name, then learned family member has dog with same name :-(

Boy Names
1

In an unfortunate coincidence, my husband and I finally agreed on the name [name_u]Porter[/name_u] for our baby boy due in two weeks. Hours later, we found out that an extended family member had (unknowingly and totally innocently) used that name for their dog.

Would you choose a different name based on that information?

If so, any suggestions? Older brother has a two-syllable occupational surname name, and I’d like to continue with that theme. I’d like a name that can’t be shortened into a nickname, since our last name is only one syllable.

2

I think it’d be fine, personally. Does it bother you any? Maybe you should ask how the dog owner feels if you’re concerned. Personally I wouldn’t worry about it.
Other names with the same feel as [name_u]Porter[/name_u] if you are interested in finding a different name:
[name_m]Archer[/name_m]
[name_u]Mason[/name_u]
[name_u]Parker[/name_u]
[name_m]Baker[/name_m]
[name_u]Carter[/name_u]
[name_m]Tanner[/name_m]
[name_u]Sawyer[/name_u]
[name_u]Walker[/name_u]
Good luck!

3

I wouldn’t if I loved the name, so if you love [name_u]Porter[/name_u], go with it. Good luck!

4

We’ve had our hearts set on [name_m]Cooper[/name_m] for a little boy for a couple of years and when I got my new job I found out my boss’s beloved dog’s name is [name_m]Cooper[/name_m]. Oh well! I still love it!

5

I wouldn’t worry about it if you have your heart set on the name. If I had an extended family member that named a daughter Stella (my cat’s name), I would not find it strange in the least, and I would be excited that someone else got to use one of my favorite names on a person!

Just to clarify, because I voted the opposite way in another post earlier today… since it is an extended family member and not one you spend tons of time with (otherwise I assume you’d have known their dog’s name), I think it’s fine.

6

I think it depends on how you feel about it. My husband is named [name_u]Max[/name_u] and that’s what roughly 60% of dogs are called in my area! He manages just fine with a “dog name”. [name_u]Porter[/name_u] is not a popular dog name as far as I know. I think of the occupation & I think of [name_u]Porter[/name_u] Wagoner.

7

As long as you like the dog, I don’t see the problem. The association w/country star [name_u]Porter[/name_u] [name_m]Wagner[/name_m] would be a bigger turn-off, but your kid’s peers will probably have never heard of him.

8

No matter what name you choose for your child, others will have named their child that or their dog or a street or a hurricane.

What does it matter? It is not as though anyone will confuse a child and a dog.

I don’t mean to sound rude, but it seems such a silly concern.

9

Unless the dog and the child will spend a lot of time together, I would not let it bother me.

I don’t know many dogs named [name_u]James[/name_u], but most human names have been used for someone’s pet at some point. In fact, we met a female golden retriever the other day named [name_m]Atticus[/name_m]. One of my dog’s favorite friends is named [name_f]Molly[/name_f] and another named [name_m]Leopold[/name_m] nn [name_m]Leo[/name_m]. You can’t hope to control these things.

10

Honestly, for me it would be. I think it might bother me if a cousin of mine had a dog with my name. And my advice is always this “It might not bother you, and it might not bother your kiddo in the future. But, what if it does? What if your child feels like you named him/her after a dog? Not every child is going to care but since you can’t be a 100% sure that your child won’t, I’d urge you to err on the side of caution.”

Since you love [name_u]Porter[/name_u] maybe it would be a great mn. It wouldn’t be as prominent and would be in a much more neutral spot, but you could still hold onto that name you both agreed on. You’d just have to find another fn you both really love. Good luck!

11

I am pretty much in this camp.
Not a deal breaker…at all! It is a distant connection, I wouldn’t worry about it. Heck, I gave my own daughter the same name as a childhood dog we had for a very short time. Nobody associates my daughter with the dog – and she could care less that there was a dog with her name. Her best friend is named [name_f]Molly[/name_f] and we know three dogs named [name_f]Molly[/name_f]…they are just names.
From what you described, I wouldn’t hesitate using the name…I would always regret giving up a name I loved over something like that. But that is just me :slight_smile:

12

made me laugh (the melodrama of “Dealbreaker?”) but the more I think of it, the more it makes me feel bothered.

Not urgently or meanly or anything, but here’s why.

No one is going to mistake a child for a dog or vice versa just because they share the same name.

It is not as if you chose an 8 year old dog to adopt after giving birth to your child only to find out they were both called [name_f]Alice[/name_f].

It is not as if a million dogs and children and adults are not named this name you love.

It is not as if the name is somehow sullied by belonging to a relative’s animal. Or is it for you?

Back in the day, animals (pets) were frequently called Fido and Rover and Spot and the like. They were not necessarily spayed or neutered or brought to the vet or safely fenced or allowed in the house. Some were treated humanely, but many were not.

Nowadays in this country, many animals have it better than that. Sometimes called companion animals, they tend to be given better medical care and more attention. Many come inside. And many share human names. I know a poodle named [name_m]Luc[/name_m], a lab named [name_f]Mollee[/name_f], and a greyhound named [name_f]Jenn[/name_f]. I don’t know a Spot or a Fido, though it would be fine if I did.

But I do think that this big trend of naming companion animals human names, now human-animal names, does reflect our evolving respect for these loving beings.

And I wouldn’t hesitate to name a son [name_m]Luc[/name_m] or a daughter [name_f]Jenn[/name_f], if I liked the names.

PS If you were only kidding about the whole deal breaker thing, joke’s on me!

13

My name is [name_f]Ginger[/name_f]. I’ve had lots of friends and loved one come into my life who has or had a pet of some kind with this name. Never bothered me. It most likely won’t matter to little [name_u]Porter[/name_u] if someone in the extended family has a dog with his name. Not a deal breaker to me.

14

I read your title post and thought “Nah! [name_m]Just[/name_m] go for it!” then I read the name [name_u]Porter[/name_u] and thought “you should keep looking”. I don’t care for this name at all which is clouding my judgement. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you have other names on your list? A porter to me is the guy who carries your bag at the hotel (akin to naming a child Waiter). I’m so sorry for the negative feedback.

15

Unless you associate with these family members often, I think it’s fine.

16

I think the fact that you didn’t know this dog’s name was [name_u]Porter[/name_u] until now (unless it was a dog they just got) means that you’re distant enough it’s totally fine. And I agree with whoever said no one will confuse a child and a dog. You may want to ask the dog owners how they feel (some people would think it’s super cool, others would be weirded out) but by no means are you required to, [name_f]IMO[/name_f].