Navigating family dynamics can be delicate, especially when it comes to the happy occasion of choosing a baby name.​

This was the case for a 23-year-old expectant mother who found herself at the centre of a family feud over her decision to name her daughter 'Wren’, a name her older sister had secretly cherished for her own future child.

‘We didn’t tell many people yet. My boyfriend told his parents, and I told my parents and my siblings,’ the expectant mother posted on a social media platform.

She and her boyfriend, also 23, had settled on the name Wren, unaware of its significance to her sister.

‘After I told my sister, 30, she asked me if we could talk, and she showed me a list of names she and her husband had chosen for future babies.’

‘Wren was the girl name they had chosen too.’

Her older sister had been trying to conceive for six to seven years and had experienced the heartbreak of infertility, including a miscarriage five years prior.

Currently undergoing fertility treatments, she was understandably emotional upon hearing her younger sister's baby name choice.

The younger sister said she had ‘no idea’ her sibling had wanted to use the same name.

She had hoped to tell her the pregnancy news first, allowing her time to process the information.

The older sister expressed her appreciation in return.

‘And when she heard we had chosen that, she got a little sad,' the expectant mother explained.

However, the situation escalated when the older sister requested that the name Wren be reserved for her future daughter.

The younger sister found herself torn. She and her partner had already formed a deep attachment to the name, going so far as to personalise items for their unborn child.

In their eyes, their daughter was Wren, and changing the name didn't feel like an option.

The older sister told her younger sister how much she appreciated being told the pregnancy news first. (Credit: Unsplash)

‘I love my sister, and I always want to try and be understanding and not make her feel like s*** because I’m having a baby and she’s still trying to,’ she said.

‘But when she asked me to please choose another name so she could name a future daughter that... I didn’t feel like I could agree to that.’

The woman explained to her older sister that she couldn’t change her daughter’s name after they had already committed to it and that the name ‘felt so right’ to the couple.

Her sister then burst into tears but said she understood and hugged her.

However, things changed when her sister’s husband got involved. He confronted the younger sister for not being considerate.

'He tore me a new one for not sacrificing a name so that my sister can hold on to the hope that she’ll get to name their future daughter that one day,' she said.

'He said she has been such a good big sister to me, and this would cost me nothing.'

The younger sister ended the social media post by saying her brother-in-law made her feel guilty about her decision to keep the baby name.

The social media post had more than 3,000 comments with divided opinions on the matter. Some include:

‘Nobody owns a name.’

‘She can name her daughter Wren too. Cousins can have the same name.'

‘Your sister has been struggling. Is a name really that hill to die on, or is your love and empathy for your sister more important?’

‘Honestly, can you imagine having to spend the rest of your life looking at the child named Wren that you could never have? I couldn’t do that to my sibling.’

This situation highlights the importance of communication between family members. It’s a reminder that while we may not always have the same opinion, finding a common ground that everyone can agree on is worth considering.

In a similar story, a mum regretted naming her child because it sounded like ‘virus’.

Key Takeaways

• A pregnant woman is facing a family dispute after choosing to name her daughter 'Wren,' a name her older sister had also selected for her future child.
  
• The older sister has been struggling with infertility and felt sad and jealous about the name being used by her younger sibling.
  
• After a heartfelt conversation, the older sister understood her younger sister's decision, but her husband confronted the younger sister, making her feel guilty.
  
• Opinions are divided online, with some suggesting the name isn't worth a family conflict, while others believe no one has exclusive rights to a name.

To our members, how would you handle such a delicate situation within your own family? Do you agree with the name the younger sister chose and her decision to keep it? Share your insights in the comments below.

 

[Suzy Q]

What if the older sister never had girls or sorry to never got pregnan. Sorry I don’t feel the younger sister was doing anything wrong or hurtful.

 

[Suzy Q]

That was meant to say Pregnant

 

[StarTrekker]

I told my sister-in-law the name I would use when I was pregnant with my second child. She was also pregnant with her 4th. Her child was born first and a girl so she took the name I had selected.
I had a boy but that girl's name was the name of my maternal grandmother who was very dear to me.
I could no longer use the name as there would be 2 girls in the family with the same first and last name.
I finally got my girl two pregnancies later. I named her after my Paternal grandmother instead.

 

[BellaB18]

Unfortunately l have had a similar issue between my children. One has a child called William, who had been here for 10 years before my other child had a child called Will. To my way of thinking l could not care less there are bigger things in life to worry about. In saying that the child with Will should have spoken to the sibling with William, but chose not to. Because that child already had three children, who's names had no say in, due to a controlling spouse. Should have spoken to the sibling just to make sure it wasn't going to be a problem.
New partner one child wanted to name the child Will. When l heard the name when he was born l thought it's not going to go over well.
Mmmmm l was correct, but l am the one who heard about the unhappiness quite a few times. In the end a couple years ago. I said look l don't care a toss about this if you want to take it up with your sibling do it. To me they are two different names. I love all my grandkids and don't care about their names as long as they are happy and healthy.
In regards to these two sisters, the lady who is expecting a little girl just take the name. I am very very sorry for her sister who has had a lot of trouble getting pregnant, and l hope with all my heart this couple will be blessed with the gift of a beautiful child. Who knows if they will even be given a daughter. If they do maybe use the name as a middle name.
Some may disagree with me. There is so much more important things in life to worry about. Like having a healthy happy baby.
Kind regards to all Vicki

 

[Luckyus]

Ask them if they'd like a job with sex and travel?

 

[Jest]

i have not even read this garbage. why are we subjected to this tripe. i know longer wish to look at pregnant bellies. been there done that. many moons ago.