Dear Queenie,
I just had a baby boy and I want to name him Philip John after my uncle who died not long ago, but my aunt, my uncle’s widow, wants to keep that name for her daughter to name her baby when she has a boy, who will be my uncle’s grandson.
Queenie, should I give my baby a different name?—Niece in mourning
Dear Niece,
It often happens, especially in large families, that several children are named after the same deceased relative. However, this often leads to some confusion, especially if the children are all about the same age.
Why not name your son John Philip in honour of your uncle? Then your cousin can name her son Philip John and you both will have honoured her father, both in naming your sons after him and in respecting his widow’s wishes – and you will have reduced the possibilities of any confusion.
