What do you think about a parent and child having nicknames that sound similar - for example, [name_m]John[/name_m] and [name_f]Jen[/name_f]? I’m not considering that particular example, but wanted to demonstrate what I’m talking about. If their full names are very different (like [name_m]John[/name_m] & [name_f]Jennifer[/name_f]), do you think it would still be very confusing? Does it make a difference that it’s parent/child rather than siblings? (Since the child would call them Mum or Dad?)
Hm, tricky one…
For siblings I think very similar nicknames are a definite no. It feels too matchy and a little unimaginative, and it would be bound to get confusing. For a parent and child, I’m not sure. I’d much rather avoid it if possible, but you’re right - the parent will be “Mum” or “Dad” 95% of the time, so the confusion aspect at least will be much less.
For me though, it still strikes me as a little samey, a little uninspired, and a little odd. I’m reminded of a friend called [name_u]Romy[/name_u] who’s expecting her second (a girl). We don’t know what they’re calling her, but had she been a boy she would have been [name_u]Remy[/name_u], which I found quite weird. But I guess that means that some people don’t see this kind of thing as a problem at all?
To conclude: do-able, but I’d definitely rule out all alternatives first.
I think it’s no big deal.
Maybe that’s because my husband and my names already rhyme and it’s been more a cute/fun thing than a problem.
If I really adored the name [name_u]James[/name_u] I’d definitely consider it because [name_m]Tim[/name_m], [name_u]Kim[/name_u], and [name_m]Jim[/name_m] would make me totally smile.
I think it is pretty tacky (like naming twins [name_u]Shawn[/name_u] and [name_f]Dawn[/name_f] or [name_f]Mary[/name_f] and [name_f]Carrie[/name_f]), first of all. Secondly, I could completely see it being confusing, even in the case of it being a parent and a child. [name_m]Even[/name_m] with being called "mom’ or “dad”, the parent’s nickname is bound to come up…like if the other parent calls it out in the house. I know a mom, [name_f]Cassie[/name_f], who has a daughter, [name_u]Casey[/name_u]. They usually go by those names, or [name_u]Cass[/name_u] and [name_m]Case[/name_m]. The mom thought it would be so adorable, but it quickly became a nuisance. When one is called, they both come running. To add to the matter, guess what [name_u]Casey[/name_u]'s brother’s name is? [name_u]Chase[/name_u] (slightly different than the other two names, but given that [name_u]Chase[/name_u] and [name_m]Case[/name_m] are similar, it gets more confusing). I’d just avoid it all, honestly. It may not be so bad if the names were different enough from each other such as [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] and [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] “[name_m]Jon[/name_m] and [name_m]Joe[/name_m]”.
But honestly? A lot of people wouldn’t even blink if this were done. They will likely think it’s cute, if anything. To each their own, though.