Why do so many people want baby names that 'go' together?

[SpeedyGonzalez]

It's a bit like putting your kids in matching outfits. I find it weird.

[PanicMode]

Perhaps because if you had children called Atticus, Ptolemy and Octavia, it would be weird to call number 4 something like Kevin?!

We are trying to name DC4 and I'd like the 'style' of name to go with the other 3 - I think that sort of makes sense?

[probono]

People sometimes do that subconsciously I reckon.

I know so many Sarah and Louise sisters.

[SpeedyGonzalez]

Gasp! PanicMode, how did you know the names of our 4 kids?

I'm thinking long-term here; they are part of a family, yes of course, but they are also individuals and will only spend a short portion of their whole lives 'together' - i.e. living under the same roof, etc. Would it matter so much that their names complement each other when they're older?

I can understand (obviously) people choosing names that they like, but if, for example, someone felt that Name 1 went perfectly with Name 2, but they hated Name 2 and couldn't find another to go with Name 1, what would they do???

[MaggieTaSeFuar]

why would anybody want names that sounded like they were chosen by different parents on second marriages, or the same parents but under the influence of different drugs.. or, why would anybody not consider that their children may feel put out that one got a quirky name and the other got the conservative name. They might both be unhappy about that. It's like an extension of parenting style imo. Better to be consistent with the style of names.

[ASecretLemonadeDrinker]

I think names just tend to go together after a while anyway, unless it's something really far fetched. My name is pretty plain and my sisters is very exotic and unusual, but it didn't sound odd at all. I don't think at all about my DSs names when thinking of a name for DC3, exept they both begin with J so am avoiding more J names!

[SpeedyGonzalez]

Ooh, talking of J names, read the list on this page!

[MaggieTaSeFuar]

joanna and joy-anna is ridiculous.

what about jurex

[randomimposter]

agree with panicmode....
it's not really about "matching", it's more about avoiding a clash...

[Ziggurat]

I had never even considered the concept of co-ordinating names until coming on MN, but then I am not going for a Maximillion, a Thaddeus and a Constantine, nor am I going for Jayden, Chardonnay and Princess-Tiiami.

I am just going for normal names, so whether they 'go' perfectly is not a massive concern.

[SpeedyGonzalez]

Rofl at 'Jurex'! Don't think they've heard of the stuff, not if they're on kid no 19...perhaps they use pregnancy as 'contraception'?

[TrillianAstra]

Because you're going to have to shout them one after the other rather a lot of times, at the park, for example.

My brother and I both have unisex names (shortenings at least) and people were often unsure which was which when she just said 'this is Jo and Sam' (not really).

[ArcticRoll]

Yes agree is it just a MM thing though?-I have never heard of this apart from on here.

[LynetteScavo]

It's not weird.

Calling your 3 children Edward, Emily, and Jayden is weird.

[crumpet]

some would sound odd - Dave and Persephone for example, but no need to be too matchy matchy

[SpeedyGonzalez]

Just looked through the threads where people are asking for suggestions of complementary names - examples given of existing siblings' names are Reuben/ Ruben, Emily, Sophie - no 'exotic' names there.

[dizzydixies]

I didn't want a theme but wanted the girls to all feel comfortable with their names and not have an 'odd one out' so to speak

all 3 of mine have names shortened for everyday use and they all have a choice of nn's for when their older

I think it stems from my hatred of my name growing up

[mathanxiety]

Mine all sound mis-matched individual. Only someone who knew us well would realise we went for family names. Mind you, the middle names all go well together, which is weird, because while they're very solid and old -fashioned, they're also family names. At some point they'll fly the coop; I think having individual names with each one 'going' with the surname is more important than having all the names match.

[Ziggurat]

Totally agree mathanxiety.

Unless you're going for really wacky names, chances are they're not going to massively clash...

[SpeedyGonzalez]

Couldn't agree more, mathanxiety; particularly over the importance of the name going with the
surname.

[PanicMode]

I agree about the fact that they won't all be under the same roof forever (well I bloody well hope not!). We've tried to ensure that each name stands alone with the surname, that doesn't form some heinous anagram or something, but equally that when said all together they all sound as though they are from the same family at least!

My parents had friends with 8 children and all of their names (including the mother's) started with J - now THAT I find incredibly weird.

[PanicMode]

I agree about the fact that they won't all be under the same roof forever (well I bloody well hope not!). We've tried to ensure that each name stands alone with the surname, that doesn't form some heinous anagram or something, but equally that when said all together they all sound as though they are from the same family at least!

My parents had friends with 8 children and all of their names (including the mother's) started with J - now THAT I find incredibly weird.

[PanicMode]

• sorry for double post - my connection is playing up.