For a girl’s name, we would like a variant of [name]Anne[/name] (one of the baby’s grandmothers). Our favourite option is [name]Anna[/name], but I am concerned it is simple too close to [name]Anne[/name] for daily use. What do you reckon? Is this too close for a grandaughter/grandmother? I know I will end up slipping into calling the wee one [name]Annie[/name] if she is [name]Anna[/name], and Granny is at times called [name]Annie[/name] for short.
Our other thoughts are [name]Hannah[/name] or [name]Susannah[/name].
Many families do multiple generations with one name or nicknames or very close variants. I say go for it. It’s a great way to honor her grandmother, and I reckon context will usually make it pretty clear.
I don’t think it’s too close at all. The whole point is to honor the grandmother so who cares if they may have the same nick name?
There are MUCH worse things than having a similar name/nn as a beloved grandmother. I don’t normally voice such strong opinions on here but those that disagree are completely wrong. It’s not like you are naming siblings [name]Anne[/name] and [name]Anna[/name]. Now that would be ridiculous. And how many “Juniors” are out there that have the same EXACT name as their fathers? They make it work just fine.
I don’t think it’s too close, either. Then again, there are about 15 Johns in my family tree, so [name]Anna[/name] and [name]Anne[/name] (both with the nn [name]Annie[/name], possibly) are nothing. haha. You’re obviously honoring her, so unless you’re looking for a way to honor both grandmothers (like [name]Liliana[/name] for a [name]Lillian[/name] and [name]Anne[/name], or [name]Annabeth[/name] for an [name]Anne[/name] and an [name]Elizabeth[/name], or [name]Susanna[/name] for a [name]Susan[/name] and an [name]Anne[/name]), I think using just [name]Anna[/name] is fine, especially if that’s what you love best.
megmarie: As a person who grew up with the same name as my grandmother, I find that a little strong. It is a problem, for some people, so it’s perfectly legitimate for people to think it’s too close.
I don’t think it’s too close. Lots of people are named after their grandparents. Like ashthedreamer, in one side of my family we had four [name]Robins[/name] (two males, two females) and on the other, three men with Francois in their name.
My brother is named after my grandfather and there was never any confusion about having two [name]Neils[/name] around. When the family was together, my grandpa was typically called Dad or Grandpa by all present, and when one person is a child and the other a senior citizen, it’s usually fairly clear from context and tone of voice who is being spoken to anyway.
I love [name]Anna[/name], [name]Hannah[/name], and [name]Susannah[/name]. They’re all classically lovely. [name]Anne[/name] and [name]Anna[/name] are very close, but I don’t think that’s a problem. I also don’t think it would be a problem if you decided to just name her [name]Anne[/name] or if you called her [name]Annie[/name]. It’s very common for children to be named after a grandparent. [name]Even[/name] if they have the exact same name, I imagine it’s rarely confusing. When the little one is around Grandma [name]Anne[/name], everyone is probably just going to be referring to her as Grandma/Granny/[name]Nana[/name]!
I dont think it’s too close for a grandma/granddaughter. Siblings or mother/daughter yes.
[name]Annabel[/name] is probably my favorite variant on [name]Anne[/name]. You could also use names with ‘ana’ on the end like [name]Liliana[/name], [name]Mariana[/name], [name]Luciana[/name] etc
I think it’s fine, especially since you’re honoring her. However, if you’re really uncomfortable with the names being so similar, I would choose [name]Hannah[/name].
sans-serif]@sansa_nanami I guess my point is that no one would bat an eye if this was a boy being named after a grandfather. In many families it is almost expected. I don’t get why it is so different when the name in question is for a girl and it isn’t even the same name… It is a
While I agree with you that some recipients may not care for a “passed down” name, the original poster started her post by sharing that she really likes their name choice and that they want to honor the grandmother. So basically she is asking if it is a disservice to the child to share a similar name. Is it wrong to honor grandparents? Absolutely not. I also agree with previous posters about the grandma being called Mom or Grandma a majority of the time so it really is a moot issue. I don’t care for double standards so I think that is why I feel so strongly about it but I do realize that you have first hand experience in this issue so it is good to hear opposing thoughts… Get all the pros and cons out in the open.
I think it’s ok, I like the idea of using a longer name with an [name]Anne[/name] sound in it.
[name]Hannah[/name] and [name]Susannah[/name] are lovely.
[name]Annabelle[/name]/[name]Annabella[/name] - both of which could use nn [name]Bella[/name] to avoid [name]Annie[/name] confusion.
[name]Annalise[/name]
[name]Andrea[/name]
[name]Anthea[/name]
I really do adore the nn [name]Annie[/name] though.
I was named after both my grandmothers and even lived with the one who shared my first name for about ten years. I don’t remember it ever being confusing. Of course, I went by a nickname that sounded very different from the formal name ([name]Meg[/name], a nickname for [name]Margaret[/name]), but still, my mom and her brother called her Mom and the grandkids called her Busha, so it was rare for me to even hear my grandmother called [name]Margaret[/name].
Thanks everyone! The main thought seems to be that it is ok to go with [name]Anna[/name] as a possibility. The middle name will be [name]Caroline[/name], whatever first name we go with as that is the other Granny. Given that a lot of you don’t think it’s too close to have an [name]Anna[/name], that is firmly at the top of the list still. We will see whether baby looks like a [name]Susannah[/name], [name]Hannah[/name] or [name]Anna[/name] and decide then I think (if it’s a girl that is :)).
There are so many beautiful variants of [name]Anne[/name], thank you for the additional ideas. We have come down to these three after lots and lots of debate, and these are the only three we can both agree we both love, so we will see what baby looks like I reckon
Unless you live with your grandmother I wouldn’t worry too much about it. My daughter is named after my mom and my hubby calls my mom Cath and our daughter [name]Kat[/name]. (I would think your grandmother would be called grandma anyway.)
