Whilst many parents may choose to keep their preferred baby names under wraps, some may choose to share their options with those closest to them, trusting that they won't spill the beans to anybody else.
One woman was left horrified, however, when she learned that her pregnant step-sister had chosen the same moniker for a boy as she had - and she was a month further along, so was more likely to give birth first.
She took to Reddit's 'Am I the a**hole' forum to share that her step-sister was about to steal her "dream name" after she'd been "confiding in her, and asking her for advice." But things soon soured after the realisation, and the original poster was left gutted and "stressed", claiming it had put a "cloud" over her gender reveal.
She explained: "So I'm currently pregnant with my first child (16 weeks), I'm finding out the gender in a few days, but I feel my step-sister has ruined it for me. I have a very traditional Irish name and my partner is also Irish. My dream baby boy's name is also a very very unusual Irish name that I've wanted to name a boy since I was 17/18.
"When I announced my pregnancy to my step-sister, she also said she was pregnant (a month further along than me). I was so excited that we'd be pregnant at the same time. She already has three children from a previous relationship and I was so relieved and happy I could confide in her and ask her for advice.
"One of the first things on the call she asked me was 'do you have any names?' I said yes and told her my boy's name. She said 'ohhh that's my name' but said she was thinking of others. I was shocked, as I had mentioned to her at a family party that was my dream name.
"I told her this and she said she couldn't remember. After going through my messages I found a message I sent her in 2018, when I met my partner saying 'he also loves my baby boy name too', with the name. There was no message back then saying wow that's my name.
"When I sent her this screenshot there was zero acknowledgment. All her other children have English names and this name is a very traditional Gaelic name. (She is also Irish and her partner is English). There's zero acknowledgment she has stolen the name.
"I feel if this was the other way around I'd back off the name and feel a bit embarrassed. I've tried to give her time and suggested other Irish names, but she's now saying if my baby is a girl she's using my name. Meaning if my next child is a boy I can't use the name I have dreamed of for nearly 20 years.
"I also feel it's put a cloud on our gender reveal. Plus I don't really want to go talk to get as much, her baby shower is in a few months and part of me doesn't want to go. Then I don't want us to have conflict, as it will cause stress. Any advice?"
People were quick to tell the woman in the comments that she didn't have ownership of the name, with some even saying that if they both had boys, they could still have the same name, despite the familial relationship.
One wrote: "You're the a**hole. You don't own the right to that name. You're allowed to feel upset but you can't police what others name their children."
"It shouldn't matter if two kids have the same name. The name is not exclusively yours", another pointed out.
Someone else reasoned: "So you would be an a**hole for skipping her baby shower, but I understand why you feel the way you do. Maybe talk to her further about the name if you absolutely are 100% planning on using it if you have a boy in the future.
"But plenty of people have all girls or boys, would you feel bad if having a boy didn't pan out? And maybe ask her how she would feel if two kids had this name in the family. If she is really opposed to it you can just let her know it's your plan to use the name in the future even if this pregnancy isn't a boy."
A Redditor wrote: "You're the a**hole. Don't show all your cards at the table. My sister and first cousin share the same name, only there is a slight variation to the spelling of the names. For example sister is Jessica and cousin is Jessika (not real names).
"To distinguish each other when family and friends are calling out the name, one has a shortened version whilst the other as the full name. For example, sister is Jessie and cousin is Jessika.
"They both think it's great having the same name. So who cares if your sister-in-law named her child the Irish name you wanted. Just name him the Irish name too, the rest will fall into place."
What would you do in this situation? Let us know in the comments.
