[name]Hi[/name] everyone… We really need some advice on this one. [name]Hope[/name] you all can help…
Our first born (a baby girl) is due in [name]October[/name]. We both absolutely [name]LOVE[/name] the name “[name]Charlie[/name]” for her. It is hands down our first choice.
Problem is, my cousin has a 13 [name]MO[/name] baby boy named [name]Charlie[/name] . We really only see that family once a year, but we are both concerned that:
It will be strange having two Charlies in the family
My cousin and her husband will take offense
[name]Baby[/name] [name]Charlie[/name] (the boy) will be upset that a girl in the family has his name
It feels like we shouldn’t be naming ours [name]Charlie[/name], but we can’t tell if maybe we are making too big a deal out of it.
[name]Do[/name] we have to just suck it up and pick a different name?
Does anyone have any experience with anything like this that can give some advice?
Well, choosing [name]Charlotte[/name] as a first name and using the nn [name]Charlie[/name] may solve the problem. But I would ask [name]Charlie[/name]'s parents how they feel before making any final decision.
There are so many great names out there! I am sure you can find one you both love that is not already the name of a baby in the family… a baby of the opposite sex no less. Can’t you hear them thinking, “Seriously?! Of all the names in the world, they had to choose to name their daughter a boy name, and it had to be the exact same name that we just chose for our son.” I say suck it up and pick another name. And you have until [name]October[/name] to do it!
I wouldn’t use it. I’ve given up [name]Amelie[/name], [name]Emily[/name], [name]Emilia[/name], and [name]Amelia[/name] because my cousin has a daughter named [name]Emilia[/name].
My number one recommendation is to call your cousin and talk to her and her husband about it. That’s always the best and easiest way to make sure you’re even worrying about something that needs to be thought of. Maybe they couldn’t care less! [name]Just[/name] be honest and kind about it and see what they say, then go from there. I think the nn [name]Charlie[/name] is adorable from [name]Charlotte[/name] - but it also seems to be increasingly popular right now. I know 2 infant [name]Charlotte[/name]/[name]Charlie[/name]'s and one on the way in a few months!
Oh my goodness, I would move on and pick a girl’s name for your little girl. I totally agree that if I were the parent of the little boy [name]Charlie[/name], I would be so aggravated that you gave it to a girl in the family. There are so many gorgeous names out there to choose from. Why make a fuss over one that is already taken?
I honestly agree with all of the other posters. If I was [name]Charlie[/name]'s parent then I would be pretty irritated if you used my son’s name on a child of the opposite sex, it seems almost like you didn’t do your own name hunting and took that name because you liked it.
I could be wrong though, I would talk to [name]Charlie[/name]'s parents and see how they feel about it. I wouldn’t recommend using [name]Charlie[/name] on it’s own anyway, [name]Charlotte[/name] with the NN [name]Charlie[/name] seems more substantial for a girl.
If you know for sure they’d be upset, I’d do your best to find another name. You at least have to ask yourself if it’s worth the drama. If you aren’t sure how they’d react, pick up the phone and ask before you make any decisions.
I agree with mischa, you may be able to get away with it a little easier as a nickname. [name]Charlotte[/name] or [name]Charlize[/name] and call her [name]Charlie[/name] at home, or [name]Char[/name] for that matter.