Family Ties?

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

I really like the name Elizabeth. I know some people think it is boring, but I like it because you can get to many other names out of it. My name is like that, and I've always appreciated having choices. But here is the catch. It is my cousin's name. She has always gone by Libby, a derivative I would never use. Her sister recently named her baby Elizabeth as well, and also calls the baby Libby. She may be having another baby, and will most likely use my name if it is a girl. (Not after me, she just likes the name.) I my cousins are a good 15 years older than I am rarely see this side of the family. So, in your opinion, is Elizabeth off limits?

Comments

[ladyincendiary.livejournal.com]

If you don't see much of that side of the family, I'd say go ahead. I'd just think it might get a little confusing with 3 Elizabeths all at one time. Family reunions would be a nightmare.

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

We've never had a family reunion, come to think of it.

[crzydimond.livejournal.com]

The same as you shouldn't feel obliged to name a child by a family name...you shouldn't NOT use a name you love because you know someone else....besdies, if you are keen on a different nickname i doubt it would be an issue!
I personally like the name Elizabeth :)

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :)

[padfootinpurple.livejournal.com]

I love the name Elizabeth--that's almost what I was named (instead I'm Kathryn, which I also love). Since you said you wouldn't be using the nickname Libby, I think it would be fine to use Elizabeth, especially if you don't see that side of the family very often :)

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

I'm Katherine as well - I live it too. So many people meet me and start calling me Elizabeth though. I am really drawn to names in this vein - I also like Melissa and Clarie. I think my cousin is using Kathryn as the spelling. Thanks for your comment!

oops

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

live=love

[tokossel.livejournal.com]

if you really love it, you should go for it.

[confusedanswers.livejournal.com]

PSH! My da was a late in life baby, my g-ma was Elizabeth Catherine... I know atleast 4 of my 1st - 4th cousins have used the names (most of them are older than me, only one is younger and she's a 4th cousin). I plan to use that name for my only girl (with a few spelling changes Elisabeth Katherine). I wouldn't not use a name just because someone in your family used it first!

(another good example from my life.. sadly my cousin on my mum's side plans to use one of my all time favourite boy's names on her next child if it's a girl (Aubrey). I detest her for doing this because she hated the name till we played the name game one christmas and I told her of my plan to use that name to honour our g-grandpa and my brother... suddenly she's using it.. so sadly one of my boys will have the same name as his cousin.. all well!)

The point:
Use it if you like it.. there is no reason not to!

[fleckerbug.livejournal.com]

No, I wouldn't say Elizabeth is off limits. It's just a cousin's name and you never see them and you're not really the same generation anyway. And they've already used your name.

My brother and I have argued over the name Eliza, but I recently decided I'd probably like to just use Elizabeth and then use whichever nickname I choose. It's somewhat of a custom in my family for women to pass on the family names-- I told him he was usurping my right. ;) Anyway.. just decided if we have multiple Elizas or Elizabeths in the family, who cares.


The only time I have gotten bothered by someone wanting to use a name of 'mine' is my fiance's sister who wants to use part of my deceased daughter's (2 name first name) name.

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

I love the name/nickname Eliza. I would probably call my daughter that or Lisa if I used Elizabeth. Thanks for your input.

On the other hand, I think your fiance's sister may be out of line. Unless she is honoring your daughter (with your permission) I think that would be out of the question. Are you and your fiance close enough with the sister to talk this over?

[0o-faerie.livejournal.com]

No, I think if you love the name as much as you do, you shouldn't refrain from using it =)

[americandiva.livejournal.com]

I don't think it is off limits at all.

And yes there are so many difference nicknames that come from Elizabeth. In fact, my best friends name is Elizabeth but she has gone by Lisa her entire life.

[eleanorgrace.livejournal.com]

I think you'll end up with repeated names in a large family either way--like a mother/daughter pair, father/son, accidental pairings with step-siblings etc.--so it shouldn't really be your main concern. I don't think there's a reason to trash your favorite name just so at the occasional holiday get-together you don't have repitition of names.
My step-grandmother's only son was named Steve and my grandfather's oldest son was Steve, totally coincidentally, but it's never been a big deal. When we talk about them we either use lastnames or the nickname the family made up to distinguish between them. With a name like Elizabeth that'll pretty much never be a problem, because you'll actually have a Libby and a Liz (or Beth, or Lisa, or whatever). So my point is: naming your child Elizabeth should not be a problem.