We all know that when you choose a name for your baby, no matter how unique it might be, you don't actually own the name - and other parents are free to choose it for their little ones if they so wish.
But while it might not matter if complete strangers give their kids the same name as yours, it can feel a little more uncomfortable if people you know decide to pinch the moniker.
That's the situation one mum is dealing with after her best friend told her she's going to give her baby the exact same as her three-year-old daughter - without even asking her for permission first.
The mum said her friend is currently seven months pregnant, and despite having a different moniker picked out for most of her pregnancy, she's now changed her mind and wants to pinch her mate's name.
In a post on the Name Nerds Reddit forum, the mum said: "My best friend is seven months pregnant and told me last night she and her husband have decided on naming the baby 'x' which is my 3-year-old daughters' name. She just says 'it wouldn't be weird, would it?'
"Is it stupid that I am not happy about it? I know no one owns a name but she couldn't have picked any other name? This is not a family name for her and she hasn't mentioned it her entire pregnancy. In fact, she's had a totally different name picked out that we've been calling the baby."
In an edit to the post, the mum also insisted the moniker - which she kept a secret - isn't a hugely popular one in most baby name lists, and while it isn't "outrageously unique", she picked it out for her toddler specifically because she had "never known anyone" in her life with the name before.
Commenters on the post largely agreed with the mum, as they said that while no one owns a name, it would make them uncomfortable if their best friend went for the exact same moniker that they had already chosen.
One person said: "I think it would be weird, and I would feel the same way as you but unfortunately if they decide to go that way, I guess there's not much you can do about it."
While another added: "Yeah that's weird. And I'd definitely say so and tell her you feel that way. Ultimately you can't do anything about it, but I'd question her reasoning. Hopefully, she changes her mind, because that's really strange and not something I'd ever do myself."
But others told the mum she was wrong to be upset about it, as they pointed out that her child may meet several people with the same name as her as she gets older.
Someone noted: "You don't own a name. It's really not a big deal. Each of your children will have lives and identities outside of two similarly aged friends who have the same name. Chill, it'll be ok and both kids will survive."
Meanwhile, another person agreed, adding: "Maybe it's kind of unusual to do but it doesn't affect you or your child in any actual way so why does it matter? And if it's a popular name, then your daughter will just get a jump start on getting used to being around other kids with her name."
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