Are these names too similar?

[AveryATL]

Last winter, DH and I were wandering through his family cemetary, and came across his great-grandmother, whose name was Ella. I have always loved the name, and think it goes perfectly with my grandmother's name Rachel, (which is non-negotiable in being to be included in the name if we have a baby girl). My alternate to Ella was Evelyn, as it was my grandmother's mother (I was super, super close with my grandmother).

I just really love the name Ella Rachel, and I also like Evelyn Rachel - and both are significant from a family perspective.

My SIL had a baby girl in early summer, and named the baby Zella. Zella is her mom (my MIL's) name.

So, I am now concerned that Ella is too similar to Zella. My SIL lives 2500 miles from me, and we really only see them once a year, if then.

And, then a little later in the summer, my DH's step sister had a baby girl...and of COURSE named the girl Evelyn. We aren't that close with his step-sister (my MIL remarried her father when both she and my DH were adults), so we see them a few times a year at my MIL's house, but we live 300 miles from them too.


So, I am now struggling with both of the names. Am I being crazy, or should I find an alternative? I really, really like Ella, and my DH who has hated almost every name I have ever suggested likes it too. I am not copying my SIL's name, because they are both from different family members, but still. Neither his sister nor his step-sister had any idea about my name ideas, so it wasn't them being mean, just a coincidence.

 

[tiggerz]

I would call the baby what you want too but IMO I would go for Ella as it's not exactly the same as Zella and it was also my nans name! Her name was actually Eleanor but known as Ella - could you use that instead???

 

[SummerRocks]

Obviously; You can call your daughter whatever you want

Personally; even though you live 2500 miles apart, if you see each other on a regular from time to time ... I think Ella and Zella are too similar in one family, so I wouldn't do it.

 

[Futuremommy1]

we will be naming our daughter (if we have a girl) Ella Catherine after our grandmothers as well so I'm partial to Ella. I think you should name your daughter whatever you want regardless of others.

 

[donnalou]

I dont think it matters its not as if they will seen each other all the time, will they have different surnames? if so I wouldn't worry

 

[jx6]

I can tell you really love the name Ella and I think you should go for it
I have nieces called Ella and Millie and our name for a girl is Emily I know people are going to think its similar, particularly to Millie and I'm sure grandparents will get mixed up and call them by the wrong name at times but they do that now with completely diff names so I'm not bothered.
I think people worry to much about it and to be honest we had Emily picked out 12yrs ago and if a relative called their child it I'd still go with it if it's what we really loved.
Good luck hun x

 

[Wallflower]

Awww that's a tricky one! They're both really lovely names. It depends on how u will feel, would you feel awkward having the same/similar name as family members? Personally I would want something totally different but if u have your heart set on it then it's hard xx

 

[MissCourtneyP]

I think, unless they're attending the same school or daycare etc, and have the same surname, having a similar name isn't an issue.

My SIL and BIL named their oldest DD Aliyah, and I had always wanted Alisha for a girl...but since we're so close with them, and now our girls will most likely be in the same school and probably in the same grade/class and they also have the same surname, we decided it'd just be too similar. And then I fell in love with Ashlyn, so it worked out it's kind of funny though, because they have 2 other girls now, and only one has a name not starting with A...so all the girls are the "3 A's n a K" hah

 

[bababel]

I think Ella is a beautiful name. It's gorgeous! I say name your daughter that. Evelyn is also very pretty but if you have your heart set on Ella I say go for it. I'm sure your family would understand...besides, it's not Zella. It's a different name!

 

[Louise N]

I think the 'z' makes all the difference between the names so I don't see why having 'Ella' would be a problem.

 

[bumpbear]

I would try and find another name and if nothing suits, then go for Ella.

I'm in the same boat in that we've found a few names that we've loved, but like you, they sounded too similar to their first cousin's names. We live across the Atlantic, but regardless we'd like them to be close with each other, so we've opted for something else. Plus, if grandma is reeling off the names of her grandkids to someone, it would sound a bit silly if they rhymed so closely.

 

[Olivia_T]

For what it's worth, I know SO MANY people who have a story about how they didn't name their child something because they thought it was too close to someone else they rarely see....and all of them wish they have just picked the original name.

 

[Animaniacs]

My daughter is named Ella and I love it. Just gorgeous!

 

[NDH]

Ooh I really like the PPs suggestion of Elanore and calling her Ella. But I don't think using Ella when you have a Zella in the family is a bad thing. I have a nephew named Jamey and my DH said he wouldn't have a problem naming a boy James even though they're similar. We don't see them much anyway (though that can always change) but they are different names. I wouldn't give a child the same name as a cousin (or second cousin their age) whether they saw them regularly or not, but nothing wrong with one thats similar.

 

[SouthernC]

I would go with the name you love. Regardless of how close it may sound to your sister in laws little girls name. But thats all your choice..

Were name our son Grayson, and I have a cousin who named her son Jaysin my grandparents are already trying to call my son Jaysin instead of Grayson cause they sound so much alike but I love the name and Im going with it

 

[AveryATL]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the feedback!!!!! I do like the suggestion of Elanore, but part of the reason that I love Ella so much is because it is a family name, so I will run that suggestion by my DH!!!

 

[Duejan2012]

Well i think that the name is beautiful. And you can name your baby anything you want. However. The thing is that happend with me when i had my dd. You see its common for my dhs family to call people by the middle name instead of the first. My daughters middle name is Shaylene. Once my SIL got PG.She named my nieces middle name Maylin. Same pronounciation(Spelling). I personaly was upset because idk maybe because i thought why couldnt she come up with her own name. lol crazy i know. but still. I also know some cousins that where named zoey and cloe. I like the idea of calling her something like Elenor or something and saying ella for short like tiggerz said

 

[BackwoodsBarB]

my family takes joy in doing this, it seems......there's (me) brianna, julianna, brielle. kahneedah, kaleenah. tristan & kjersten. and colby & cody.

and there'll always be room for nicknames don't let anyone else influence your decision!

or what about adding a bit to ella? maybe something like gabriella? it keeps the name going, but adds a unique twist so your daughter is still a namesake, but has a bit of flair?