While some parents spend months searching for a completely unique baby name, others prefer to keep a family theme going - but one mum-to-be has found herself facing an unexpected dilemma09:29, 18 Jul 2026Naming a baby isn't always as easy as it sounds - especially when you start to listen to other peoples' opinions. That's exactly what one mum-to-be came to learn when revealing she wants to give her son the exact same name as her brother's little boy.‌She explained how she and her husband had settled on the name years ago as a nod to her husband's late grandfather, only to be left shocked when her brother and sister-in-law unwittingly chose the very same name for their newborn son. Although both boys would go by different nicknames, she's now wondering whether it's too uncomfortable for cousins to share the same legal first name.‌Turning to Reddit for advice, she said: "My brother and sister-in-law recently had their third baby boy and named him Harold, calling him Hal. My husband and I are expecting our first baby later this year and we're planning to name him Harold, calling him Harry."‌She added: "We have had this name picked out for years, but my brother and sister-in-law didn't know that and, of course, it's their right to name their baby anything they want."We are thrilled with our new nephew, but are certainly bummed our baby's name was used. We've been calling our baby Harry for months since we found out he's a boy, but this isn't something they knew."Despite the awkward coincidence, she was keen to highlight the boys would have different surnames, nicknames and would be raised in different parts of the country.‌Keen to get people's thoughts, she asked: "Is it totally weird to give our son the same first legal name as his cousin? Do I need to run this by my brother and sister-in-law?" She also revealed that finding an alternative tribute wasn't as simple as it might seem."Funny enough, we could consider naming him my husband's grandpa's middle name, Edward, but this same brother has another son named Edward, nicknamed Eddie," she added. "Our best option to honour my husband's grandpa is the name Harold."‌The vast majority of social media users urged the couple to go ahead with the name they had their hearts set on, insisting that no one has the right to lay claim to it.One person said: "I would talk to your brother and let him know you're planning on using the name. I wouldn't ask for permission if you're tied to it, just explain the significance."I think it's totally fine, considering the different nicknames and living in different states. I'd make sure to pick a different middle name though."Article continues belowAnother added: "I actually think it could be really nice and something the cousins could bond over as they grow up, as long as all of the adults can be normal about it."Just call your brother and sister-in-law and tell them what you said here, and that you hope they are equally understanding and happy for you."A third said: "As someone with a shared first name in the family, it does get annoying at family get togethers trying to figure out which of us they mean, or getting called a nickname I don't like to differentiate."