How much should I worry about a name being similar to DC's cousin's name?

[Mung]

I really like the name Nina, but DH's neice is called Lina. We don't see them very often really and are not all that close, but I feel like I shouldn't use the name as it is too similar. What are your views on this?

[CinderellaRach]

Nina is beautiful-go for it!Don't worry about it rhyming..lots of names rhyme it doesn't matter!I also love the name Gina(might be something to do with my love of shoes though!)

[bluemonkey123]

I know of sisters with more similar names than that (Emily and Emma) I wouldn't worry about it.

[Mung]

I suppose my DH's nickname sounds just like his brothers full name, so I shouldn't worry particularly given that we only see them about 3 times a year.

[liliputlady]

It doesn't matter a bit for cousins IMO. It would be different if they were sisters.

[Jamieandhismagictorch]

If you see them only a few times a year, then I'd say, no problem

Nina is lovely

or

Stella
Claudia

[zozzle]

I wouldn't let it put you off going for name.

[birdofthenorth]

Nina is a lovely name. Depends a bit how much your in-laws views matter to you though as they might feel a bit silly telling people their grandaughters are called Lina and Nina!

[BoggleJunior]

Our wider family has Lisa, Linda, Belinda, Lina, Libby, Lilly and Lilia. None are immediate families and no-one seems to mind.

[livviloo]

If you feel comfortable shouting across a crowded room/playground "come on Lina and Nina" knowing that people will think they are both yours then go for it. If you would feel silly however infrequently it may occur (and I know I would) then don't.
My son has a similar name to his cousin,(Felix, mine age 10, and Phoenix, SIL son age 2) I wasn't keen but my son hates it even more. The last time we looked after my nephew he asked if I could call him(my son) something else because people were giving him funny looks!

[Mung]

Thanks for the comments. Livviloo we really aren't close at all. I really cannot envisage a time when I will need to call out their names other than in the PIL's house and that would be about 4 times a year. As for what the PILs think birdofthenorth...well I don't really care about that one, again we hardly ever see them despite them living 30 minutes away, so it isn't an issue.

I am keen...just need to convince DH now.

[dreamingofsun]

my son's godparent used the same name for their child - which i thought was a bit off as they knew we had picked name that wasn't that popular on purpose. its left us with the feeling that actually they don't care a stuff about what we feel. However, Lina and Nina are quite different names - so i don't think this would worry me - if you are worried you could always check with them to see if they mind?

[RustyBear]

When DD was born, one of the names we were considering was Alexandra - DH wasn't keen because my sister's DS2 was Alexander & he thought it would be confusing - six months later DH's sister had a boy & called him Alexander.... Ten years later she had her 4th child & called him Christopher, which is the name of my sister's DS1!

So now my children have two cousins called Alex and two called Chris. It doesn't seem to bother anyone in the family except my MIL, who gets very annoyed if I talk about the 'wrong' Chris and Alex without adding their surname. Incidentally, my DC also have two Uncle Andrews, my brother and SIL's DH, but MIL can't really blame anyone for that.

[RubiMama]

I don't think it matters at all. It rhymes but it has a completely different feel to Lina. Unlike someone I know who has an Amelie and a Lily, which I think is a bit ridiculous. Great name, it 's on my list.