3 years ago, my husband and I moved into his childhood home right after we had our first child, [name_u]Noah[/name_u]. The house is clearly very significant to him, very understandable.
[name_m]Even[/name_m] before we even considered having children, I have wanted to use the name [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] for a girl. Both my mother and sister were named [name_u]Kelly[/name_u]. So the name is very significant to me. Hubby is totally on board with using [name_u]Kelly[/name_u].
However, about 6 months ago a couple moved in next to us. They are both very nice people, but they have a horrid dog. This dog does absolutely nothing except aggressively bark at passersby, dig and loudly vomiting in either the front or backyard. She behaves so badly that the neighbors shriek her name every 10 minutes to get her to stop. Believe me when I say that the yelling and the barking etc. gets on the nerves of everyone in the neighborhood.
But the biggest catch here is that this dog is named [name_u]Kelly[/name_u].
Normally, I wouldn’t be bothered by someone’s pet having the same name as my child (god knows how many dogs are named [name_u]Noah[/name_u] around our block). But the fact that we hear our neighbors yell “[name_u]Kelly[/name_u]!” dozens of times a day, makes us a bit doubtful.
Has no one spoken with the owners or filed a nuisance report on the dog? Anyway, I’d still use [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] because it is so meaningful but the dog’s presence would push it into the middle slot.
I’m sorry to say that I wouldn’t use it as a first name. Especially since this situation seems to have given you doubts about the name yourself. I think the suggestion of using it in the middle slot is a great compromise, and you’ll still get to use your favourite honour name that way. Alternatively, could you find a variant or similar-sounding name that you love but that won’t make you and everyone else think of the nuisance dog? [name_f]Callie[/name_f] or Kiely, maybe?
Are you planning on relocating any time in the near future? If so yeah it’s still useable. But if no I don’t think so. Also it would be really confusing for the kid hearing “[name_u]Kelly[/name_u]” every 10 or so minutes.
What an unfortunate situation. Both the dog problem and your beautiful name affected.
I agree about shifting it to a second name if you are not moving,
Or could you use e.g. [name_f]Calliope[/name_f] –[name_f]Ally[/name_f], Caella, [name_f]Calla[/name_f], that could ‘morph’ into [name_u]Kelly[/name_u]/[name_f]Callie[/name_f] as your daughter grows and the dog may not.
Life is so full of ironic twists I would be really sure you love [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] (as a first) sufficiently in case something similar occurs again. The number of puppies I know named [name_f]Luna[/name_f], [name_u]Harper[/name_u], [name_f]Bianca[/name_f] –I’m always in trouble from pet lovers (of which I am one ) because I am not in favor of pets having people names but it’s very common I am sure you know.
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] it all works out well for you both.
I’m sorry you’re in that situation, it’s so unfortunate. My first thought was: use the name anyway, because it has so much meaning to you. But being realistic, I probably wouldn’t use it anymore. But if you’re absolutely sure this is the right name for your daughter and you’re certain you love it enough… I’d still say go for it.
I would still use the name. It’s doubtful that you and the couple will remain in the same neighborhood forever, and even so, to be blunt, the dog won’t live forever. The name has so much significance to you, don’t let this little thing ruin it for you. It’s a lovely name. Use it!