Major 'Client' Drama
Dr. Gail Gross: What Parents Need to Know About Stress and Learning
Can I Give My Daughters the "Same" Name?
Filed under: Baby Names
My 2-year-old daughter's name is Elizabeth. Since Isabella is the Spanish version of the name Elizabeth, should I not name my new baby Isabella? The two names sound and look completely different to me, but will this create a lifelong problem for my two daughters?
- Isabella Lover
Don't we all create lifelong problems for our children? Luckily, choosing the names Elizabeth and Isabella ranks low on the scale of Ways To Give Your Kids Complexes. I'd say it comes in just above making them wait until high school to get their ears pierced.
That's not to say I'd recommend it. I've weighed in against other close sibling pairings, like naming John's little brother Jack. Sibling rivalry can be a powerful thing, and discovering that you and your sister have variations of the same name could strike some uncomfortable chords. With so many names in the world, why risk it?
On the other hand, as you point out, Elizabeth and Isabella look and sound very different. And unlike John and Jack, neither is a nickname of the other. You can also give the girls some extra personal space with distinctive nicknames like Liza and Bella, rather than Lizzie and Izzie. So while the pair wouldn't be my first (or second) choice, I doubt that your daughters will suffer identity crises.
Part of parenting is giving your children positive emotional tools to negotiate the world. I think it's a good sign that you're already considering the potential implications of your name choice. Tackle this head on. Make it clear that you chose each name because it was beautiful and you loved it on its own, but don't try to hide the connection. Call it a secret bond for your daughters to share.
That positive attitude will be important in facing down another challenge, too: Name-knowledgeable busybodies pointing out to you that your daughters "have the same name." Don't rise to the bait and get defensive. Respond with your warmest smile, and explain that the names are simply lovely relations. "They started with the same roots but grew into two complete individuals -- just as siblings do!"
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard Name Daughter After A Car
The adorable couple Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have welcomed their first child into the world. A baby girl named Lincoln…. interesting name, right.
-
David Beckham And Victoria Beckham Name Daughter Harper Seven
Hollyscoop.com gives the scoop on the baby naming of David Beckham & Victoria Beckham's new baby. Images by Wenn.com. Video hosted by Nora Gasparian / Twitter: @NoraGasparian
-
Demi Moore Forbids Daughters From Mentioning Ashton Kutcher's Name
Demi Moore was reportedly reeling when her daughter Rumer hung out with Ashton at her concert recently, so Demi has put an all out ban on anything Ashton. Demi has ordered her daughters not to mention Ashton name while in her presence. Demi is in a fragile state after her substance abuse troubles and Star magazine reports that the star has a strict rule banning Rumer, Scout and Tallulah Willis from discussing their former stepdad.
-
What Will Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William Name Their Daughter?
Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Prince William reportedly name a name for their daughter.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 2 of 4)
11-01-2010 @ 9:43AM
Cathy said...Didn't he name his daughter George, as well?
11-01-2010 @ 10:23AM
Kathy said...Wow talk about an identity crisis..
11-01-2010 @ 2:31PM
kathleen said...I work for a state agency -- entitlement benefits, and I can tell you that many African American men will name their sons the same name -- his. They generally have five or six different children from just as many women and don't live full-time with any of them, so it's not really a problem. But it's not uncommon.
11-01-2010 @ 9:37AM
LW said...Seriously........this is really an issue for this woman????? My advice to you mam... is to listen to the news....read the papers and realize that there are REAL problems in the world far more important than what you should name your daughters!
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 9:35AM
Jonathan said...I hate parents using their kids for experiments or cheap entertainment... no, just name them normally like everyone else. Jeez.
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 11:15AM
M2Cute4Jerks said...@fromalittletown try insurance claims!!!! I went to school with boy twins Craig and Greg. Very confusing when you are in grade school!
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 12:48PM
msusarbear said...I think its cool...one of my friends were Lacy and Larissa and it never was an issue...go for it
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 9:57AM
eseiber said...My sister's name is Emily and my mother decided to name me Emilia which is Emily in Spanish ( no we arenot hispanic) and I hated it because I was called Emily by people too lazy to actually figure out how to pronounce my name but Isabella and Elizabeth are two differently spelled names so I would not expect any problems there.
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 10:59AM
Grant Ayjian said...Remember George Foremen named all of his sons first names George. That should take care of this blog.
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 10:41AM
Julie said...George Forman did it. He has about 5 sons and they are all named George.
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 10:51AM
Suzie said...Why not? You'd have "Lizzy" and "Izzy".
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 11:08AM
tiredofit said...I see its more of the same here! you make a comment to a subject but you bury your spam within. nobody cares how you met your man or what diet you use or that you work at home!!! Sell your "wares" elsewhere and leave this forum for the subject at hand! Sorry AOL, I've had it! Even though there were subjects that I would have loved to comment on while you were under construction, I prefer it was back to the way with no comments. at least we were not subjected to this trash!
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 11:05AM
Ace Ventura said...My name in English is James or Jim, in Spanish it's Jaime' (Pronounced "hi me").
My middle name is Francis, In Spanish it's Francesco
So Spanish tranlation's of English names are out, especially since I am Irish and German
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 11:12AM
PhotoJournal said...If you are wavering on the issue of whether or not it is a good idea to name your daughters something similar, you will probably come back to those questions later in life, after the deed is done. You've already identified that it may be an issue, so take your own good advice, and choose another name.
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 11:55AM
Becky said...I know of a family that named all their sons a version of Andrew(the fathers name I believe).....Russian...and other languages....It's kinda cool....I personally don't think Elisabeth and Isabella sound the same and it wouldn't even occur to me that they are same version of Elizabeth....to me they look like different names and to me it only makes it more special for the sisters. Follow your heart...you will be happy you did later on.
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 11:48AM
B. Taylor said...There are sooo many names out there, why the need for two so similar sounding names? I've known so many twins who, once they get going about being forced to share identities, will complain about not having their "own names even." Some will remember, fondly, having the same clothes, toys and similar sounding names but the majority don't like it. Siblings should be individuals. Nobody, twins or other, should have to share identities. And these two names, as nice as they may be, are way too common. They'll not only be just faces in the crowd in public but at home too.
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 12:01PM
SkyBlue said...Children need their own sense of identity, and their names are one hallmark of that. A person's name is his/her identity. Having similar names makes each child a "subset" of the other and will reduce their sense of self-worth and value.
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 12:01PM
annoyedbyu said...How stupid and ridiculous is it to write to another human being to ask if it's okay to name YOUR baby the name that YOU want to give it. We are going a little too overboard with the etiquette and expectations of society. If you don't know what to name your baby, if you need some "expert" stranger's permission, then maybe you just shouldn't be having a baby. Duh. This is dumbest thing I've seen on the internet in a while....right up there with that Ally McBeal dancing baby and the bedroom intruder.
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 12:23PM
sls7796 said...I have a friend whose husband is named Jim. They had two sons named Jimmy and James. CONFUSING!!!
Reply
11-01-2010 @ 12:08PM
karen said...well i have 3 siblings we all start with letter K .. kellie, kerri, keith my name is Karen.. my mom knew kellie and kerri are kinda the same most people who have twins would name them kerri and kellie .. i always got teased tho because we were all K's so my suggestion is name your children diffrent
Reply