https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:49:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-69514 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:17:55 +0000 banana 69514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsh: Dislike! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-69504 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:16:35 +0000 MrsH 69504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I told a group of my DHs family a name I wanted to use (my great granfathers name mind you) and one of them used it for their dog. FAIL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-69455 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:03:12 +0000 googly-eyes 69455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Banana- Yeah I wouldn't mind either, I really don't know why it bothers me. Maybe because they used it as a MN and we were going to also? Maybe because MIL is probably not going to be thrilled about this pregnancy and yet she's thrilled about theirs, so it's jealousy? Or maybe I thought "attention grabbers!" because just as we are "finally" (we're young but have been married a year and a half, and talked about babies the entire time!) having a baby and we could do that, they go ahead and name their kid the name (they are also the people who set their wedding date a month before ours and planned it super quickly) I don't know, it's probably situation specific. In any case, I think it's common. Every time I hear about these naming conflicts it seems more is at play than "just" a name. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-69363 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:40:26 +0000 mediagirl 69363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's childish to claim names. If my best friend said she wanted to name her baby what we're naming our lo, whatever, I'm not going to NOT name her that. I love a name, I'm going to use it. On that note, I will not name my child any name that is in our family - cousins, their kids, our aunts and uncles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-69304 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:24:45 +0000 banana 69304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For some reason I wouldn't mind having my child with the same middle name as a friend/family member. I would feel a bit weird about having the same first name, especially if the first name was a unique name. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-69298 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:22:26 +0000 googly-eyes 69298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think you can call dibs. But I will be the first to admit I'm annoyed that a distant cousin decided to middle name their baby after our immediate family member who passed away about a year ago. I know it makes no rational sense...but I just keep thinking that they are full of it! (We barely see them and had been considering it for our own future kid.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-69230 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:18:33 +0000 pastemoo 69230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: LOL. I think I'll just let them have it. They want 4 kids. I think we might be done after this one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-68598 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:57:05 +0000 chopsuey 68598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: oh that's good! First to have a girl gets the name! ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-68561 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:27:10 +0000 pastemoo 68561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: Me too! My SIL has dibs on a girl's name even though she had a boy. At that was our favorite girl's name.<br /> But... we're having a boy, so the crisis has been averted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60715 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:25:50 +0000 calsmom 60715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think it's fair to call dibs on names. If someone happens to name their kid the same name as ours, big deal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60709 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:20:58 +0000 Modern Daisy 60709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No I don't think so. And I think it's best if people keep name ideas to themselves so no one feels weird about using a potential name! Honestly I am going to keep all of my name ideas to myself just because I don't want anyone to feel bad for using them just because I was thinking about it. If it's a friend or a cousin, our babies can have the same name it's not a big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60703 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:15:30 +0000 Adira 60703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really think you can have dibs on a name until you're at least pregnant, and here's why:</p> <p>I've always always always loved the name Kathryn. I was <i>convinced</i> that I would name my first daughter Kathryn. I told people left and right my future daughter's name was Kathryn. And I'd been holding onto Kathryn for YEARS (like 10+). When I started getting serious with my now-husband, I told him we'd be naming our daughter Kathryn, end of discussion!</p> <p>Fast-forward to now when we're TTC and Kathryn is OFF the table! My husband has a close cousin who's name is Katherine and I just don't feel comfortable giving our daughter the same name as his cousin. So no more Kathryn for me!</p> <p>Things change. People change. Anything is possible. So unless you're actively TTC (or even better, pregnant), you can't really call dibs on a name.</p> <p>But if you are pregnant, I think it's okay to call dibs. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60690 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:08:31 +0000 banana 60690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The reason why I brought up this post is because my cousin told her best friend that she wanted to name her daughter Kayla. And we all basically agreed that Kayla would be my cousin's daughter's name when she was born. Well her best friend had her daughter first and of course, named her daughter Kayla. My cousin was totally upset because she had been calling her unborn baby Kayla for months! So when her daughter was born, she ended up calling her Kaitlin. After that, I decided not to tell anyone what name I was thinking about using. </p> <p>This all sounds so lame sometimes and I laugh at how silly it all sounds. But at the same time, naming your child is serious business! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60680 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:01:47 +0000 lemondrop 60680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No- you can't "lick a name and call it mine". You can't guarantee when a child will actually arrive or what gender it will be. I think all names are fair game until the child actually shows up. </p> <p>We refused to play that game with family and friends, so we just avoided discussing naming with everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60672 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:55:15 +0000 Bluebonnet 60672@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think you can call dibs on baby names. Someone could always use the name before you or after you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60647 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:17:51 +0000 LuLu Mom 60647@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hubby and I have names picked out and we are only TTC not pregnant. I don't think we have dibs on these names, I do have a fear someone with use them but that's the chance we take. In most cases unless it is close friend/family we will probably use it anyways because we like them that much, however it's just the chance you take. I don't go advertising them either, however if someone ask I do say what we are thinking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60633 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:06:29 +0000 joyjoy 60633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is one of the reasons I don't want to share our potential names with friends/family until the baby is born. Back in high school (yes, high school) a bunch of friends and I were jokingly talking about names we liked and what we would name our future children. I mentioned that I had always liked the name Josiah. My friend then exclaimed that she really liked the sound of that name and claimed it as her own. When I protested that I mentioned it for *my* kids, she responded with, "Well, I'm older, and I'll probably have kids first; so too bad for you!" I've been traumatized since then. :-/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60632 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:05:59 +0000 Rescuemom10 60632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dont think it matters unless its like Family. For example my Bro and I are at the "baby" time in our lives, they just had one and we hope to soon. My SIL actually asked me what names we want to use to "make sure" we have different names. With family I guess I can see making sure you dont take a family name that someone else wanted to or something, but with friends I dont think it matters and you can name your baby whatever. First one born gets it! Haha! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60612 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:57:54 +0000 autumnlove 60612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think dibs are fair because people should be able to name their baby whatever they want. We had one girl name and one boy name selected and didn't talk names unless our friends asked us directly. One close friend asked and told us our boy name(pretty common name for a boy) was off limits since it was on her baby name list for years. DH and I thought it was ridiculous since she is single, not dating, not pregnant and frequently talks about how she does not like kids! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60190 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:45:25 +0000 tequiero21 60190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>nope. no dibs unless the baby is born and you've already named them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60141 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:56:29 +0000 Andrea 60141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: my DH says that all the time, which is why he doesn't have any outside of his work friends. He doesn't want to deal with everyone's personal issues. </p> <p>I don't think you can call dibs if you are not pregnant! If you are and your close friends are too, then maybe you can throw some names out there if you don't want everyone to end up with the same name. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60133 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:10:05 +0000 SugarplumsMom 60133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's fine, as long as it's definitely a name they're set on. One of my childhood friends has always had a name set, and she's years away from TTC. I kind of always knew about it and appreciate her coming out with it - it'll make our process easier by eliminating it offhand. </p> <p>If it's a name one of my close friends is really attached to, I think it's better being open and honest about it instead of being put in a tricky situation if another one of us just randomly picks it (without the same significance). </p> <p>My cousin is having twin girls and although I don't know my LO's gender yet, I wish I knew her names to avoid possible heartache. I'm a little afraid to fall in love with a girl name if my cousin is naming one of her girls the same name (and they'll only be a few months apart). </p> <p>So yeh, for me, calling dibs would be much easier than having to wait a few months until she gives birth before we can really narrow down our names. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-60117 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:31:41 +0000 erinpye 60117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's only OK if someone has firmly decided on a name and shared it--I think that means it's off limits to their close friends/ family to also use. We just decided to keep ours a secret so we don't run the risk of any copy cats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-59385 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:59:48 +0000 mrbee 59385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thi is why sometimes it's easier to just have fewer friends! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-59376 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:57:49 +0000 sorrycharlie 59376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It kind of bugs me. I would be bothered if someone "stole" my name, but I'd move on. But when friends are like, "O M G my son/daughters future name is going to be XXX" I feel crappy, especially if I liked that name! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-59371 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:56:29 +0000 twodoghouse 59371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think name claiming is tricky business. My husband and I talk about names constantly (at my insistent, haha) and have ones picked out that we like. However, we know we don't really have claim to any names when we aren't even pregnant. </p> <p>For the most part, we do not talk about names with anyone else. If someone else chooses "our" names before we have the opportunity, we'll get over it. The only exception is my sister who flat out said "this is our girl name" and I said "ok, this is ours." Our taste in names DO NOT overlap so I think we're safe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-59361 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:53:11 +0000 heffalump 59361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think there's such thing as dibs on a name. You're always free to name your baby whatever you want. </p> <p>@banana: There's a good chance you're friends future hubby won't even like those names. I don't think she's thought that totally through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-59355 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:50:35 +0000 MaisyMay 59355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think that it's okay to call dibs, per se, but if a friend says that they are planning on using a name that has family connections or whatnot, it's fair to tell them that you are planning on using the name too, but also explain why. Maybe, "Oh, you're going to use Samantha? So are we! It's hubs' grandmother's name and we're excited to honor her that way. It'll be fun to have two Samanthas!" But in this scenario, I'd imagine both parties to be pregnant, not just TTC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-59345 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:46:53 +0000 banana 59345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey119: Ugh. I know what you mean! My friend who's single already claimed 3 names and swore she would hate us if we took her baby names. She doesn't even have a boyfriend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-it-fair-to-call-dibs-on-baby-names#post-59340 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:44:33 +0000 chopsuey 59340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate when people who aren't even pregnant or married claim names. :T </p>