Comments on: How Close is Too Close? Ten Factors to Consider

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:17:53 +0000

Fun article and thread! . I just have to add that my grandfather (Howard) had twin brothers named Homer and Omer. I’ve played around on ancestry’s website, and it’s funny to me that all the other people researching this family presume Omer is a typo, since they find both names on the same birthdate, and Omer gets left out of their family trees! They must all look at the info in front of them and think, “THAT has to be a mistake!”

By: Fetching Names: Joyful J Names | Appellation Mountain

Fetching Names: Joyful J Names | Appellation Mountain — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:03:09 +0000

[...] – They’re impeccably Biblical, but with Joseph, Josiah, and Josie, it seems like another Jo might be a no-go. Then again, it hasn’t stopped them yet [...]

By: Kaye

Kaye — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:36:24 +0000

Actually, I know a pair of twins that are Zach and Isaac, and it never occurred to me that they may be too close. That’s probably because here in Minnesota “Isaac” doesn’t sound like “Zach”. It’s more of an EYE-zik than an EYE-zak. I don’t know if the pronunciations sound closer in other places, but here they just seem matched but not rhyme-y.

By: Elle

Elle — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:18:55 +0000

Really, I think matchy names (Madeline/Maddie & Matthew/Mattie, Jim/Tim/Tom, etc.) are kind of dull and lack creativity, if not confusing at best. I have neighbors whose daughters names are Shelby and Kelly, and did I mention mom’s name was Shelly? I can never remember who’s who. Though, I guess sometimes we just like certain types of names and don’t realize the damage until the deed’s done.

By: betsy diver

betsy diver — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 17:00:59 +0000

In my family,my father’s middle name is his mother’s maiden name William stowell diver and my parents continued this pattern with my brother William Shepherd diver. When my nephew came along the considered continuing the pattern but his mom’s maiden name was oeh so instead they stuck with the william s. diver pattern, using sterling as the middle name. some friends are teri and jay and they named the kids jill, tate,and jordan

By: The Name Game - NYTimes.com

The Name Game - NYTimes.com — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:49:46 +0000

[...] question that might not occur to you. Among my favorites is her analysis of sibling names, titled “How Close Is Too Close.” Think before you name your younger daughter Kelly if her sister’s name is Grace, she warns. And [...]

By: Kacie

Kacie — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:25:15 +0000

My son is Jonathan and gies by Johnny right now. We have a girl on the way and really liked Jocelyn, but it is just too similar, as is Josie which we might have used.

My husband and his twin brother are Shane an Shawn and the have the same middle initial. Too close! I recenly filled a prescription for my husband and the pharmacist pulled up his brothers records instead. Similar name, same date of birth, middle initial. Didn’t catch the error until later.

By: appellationmountain

appellationmountain — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:17:39 +0000

I grew up next door to a Jennifer, younger brothers James and Jonathan – Jen, Jim, Jon – same problem!

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:49:38 +0000

I feel pretty late on this one, but I had to add my family. I was first, and my mom picked names she loved and would give me one of each parent’s initials- Jennifer Mariska (Jennifer of course being number one at the time, but I never minded sharing). The following year they had Jonathan Michael, same pattern for the same reason.

The real Problem? Jan (mom), Jen, and Jon all under the same roof. Mostly confusing if being yelled at from a long distance or if the speaker is mumbling.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:48:28 +0000

I love that you used Philippa with nn Pippa. I’ve been in love with it for a while, but no one else seems to understand what I love about it. It’s a beautiful name.