14 May 2023 , 15:05
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They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but sometimes it can feel a little bit irritating to be copied, and it may leave you "silently seething" - especially if your child's moniker has been stolen.
One woman was left baffled when her brother and his wife had chosen to name their baby the same name as her daughter - but one letter had been changed.
The woman's brother had "tried to discourage" his wife from using the name, but she was "adamant" that she was going to use the same one as she'd allegedly always wanted to.
The woman was confused, however, as whenever she tried to bring it up to her family they simply "changed the subject" as they just want a "harmonious life."
Her brother tried to persuade his wife to change the name - but she wouldn't (Stock Image) (Getty Images)She took to Mumsnet to vent: "My brother's wife is a complicated sort of person and they don't have a great relationship. They had several rounds of IVF over 8-10 years and finally had two daughters, and the second was born recently.
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"They have given their second baby the same name as my youngest child. Well, not the same name exactly, one letter is different (think Helena vs Helene).
"My daughter isn't too bothered about it, at first she thought it was a compliment but apparently, it wasn't! My sister-in-law just 'always wanted that name!' My brother tried to discourage her but she was apparently adamant."
And the mum really wasn't happy about the name, saying the baby is "very cute and we all love her" but admitting she is raging.
She continued: "I am secretly seething about the name. My parents are already getting the children muddled and my mum recently sent my daughter a birthday card with her name spelled wrong - ie using the slightly different spelling of her cousin's name.
"My parents are elderly, happy and proud about all their grandchildren and just want a harmonious family life so they have changed the subject when I've grumbled about it.
"But am I being unreasonable to privately feel really annoyed? I just can't understand why someone would do this. There are so many names in the world! Surely some should be off-limits?"
In the comments, people were quick to admit that they'd also be annoyed, but they said she should be annoyed with her brother too as he would've had input.
Someone wrote: "I'd be annoyed too. But, she was probably privately devastated when you used the name she'd always wanted. Not that you did anything wrong, especially if she'd never mentioned the name to you, but it sounds like they had a really awful time and that probably stung.
"I think you'll just have to take a deep breath and move past it but you're not being unreasonable to feel privately peeved."
But another disagreed, commenting: "I think you're being unreasonable. It's not the same name as you've said and it's not your sister-in-law's fault that your mum spelled your daughter's name wrong in a card.
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"Why are you only annoyed with your sister-in-law and not your brother? Surely he had some input in what they were naming their daughter."
A Mumsnetter said: "You're being precious. This simply doesn't even matter. Let it go."
One mum fumed: "What?! She's always wanted that name, and probably, without the fertility issues, would have chosen it before you chose it for your child.
"She was delayed having her children, through no fault of her own. Why shouldn't she have the name she's always wanted? I really don't understand how it's got anything to do with you. You're being unreasonable."
Who do you think is in the wrong? Let us know in the comments.