[Danielle G.]

AIBU 17.01.2025​

AIBU, which stands for 'Am I Being Unreasonable', is the perfect platform for sharing your thoughts and opinions! So, for today's AIBU discussion, we have this story from Reddit/diivinexxjuicy:

Am I being unreasonable for refusing to change my dog's name after my sister gave her newborn the same name?

'I (26F) have a dog named Charlie. Charlie is a golden retriever I adopted four years ago, and he’s my best buddy. My sister, Emily (29F), recently had her first child—a baby boy. She and her husband named him… Charlie.'

'At first, I thought it was funny and didn’t really think much of it. But then Emily pulled me aside during a family gathering and said it was “confusing and disrespectful” for me to keep calling my dog Charlie now that her son has the same name. She asked me to rename my dog.'

'I told her no. Charlie has been his name for four years; he knows it, responds to it, and it’s on all his paperwork. Changing it would be weird for him (and for me). She got really upset and said it’s not fair for her son to “share” a name with a dog, especially in family settings. She thinks it’ll lead to jokes and confusion as her son grows up.'

'My parents have weighed in, and while my dad says it’s ridiculous to expect me to change my dog’s name, my mom says I should “just consider it” to keep the peace. Now Emily’s barely speaking to me, and a few family members think I’m being stubborn. I have no idea how I am in the wrong here. The worlds gone crazy.'

'I love my dog, and I didn’t name him to spite anyone. I also think it’s not my fault they chose a name already in use in the family. Am I being unreasonable?'

 

[sylfield]

You chose the name first; their problem, not yours

 

[HelenB55]

I agree…. You had the name before them.

 

[Jerry5]

If you had a child would she expect you to rename the child just because she wanted that name for her kid?
What a spoilt brat she is for even suggesting it!
Stick to your guns and stay with Charlie.

 

[Witty]

You have had your dog for 4 years and Charlie is his name. Your sister has had 4 years to get used to you having a dog with that name. Why on earth would they call their son Charlie when they know your dog has that name. You could always change your dogs name to her husbands name!!!!! No, don't do that.

 

[Moosh]

I sympathise with you as I mentioned to my pregnant Sister that my then pregnant wife and i were going to call our daughter Georgia. She mentioned to family members that they would call their baby Georgia, we were livid at the patently obvious name steal. Fortunately for us she had a boy and we had a girl. Justice !

 

[janj]

no keep your dogs name

 

[homebode]

No, you had the dog first and she knew that. Stick to your guns, don't change it. It's like celebrities suing businesses for having their name that have been going for years before they were even famous. And to make it worse, it's not the celebrities real name. So I say NO.

 

[magpie1]

Keep your dog's name 4 sure.....she could call her child by her middle name if she wants, other than that she can just go and 'suck it up ' as the saying goes.

 

[Andrew]

Why didn't they name the boy Charles, and use Charlie as his nickname. For a very long time l was called Andy, l outgrew it and now use my proper name.

 

[Jo Piper3]

Keep your dog's name at Charlie and suggest they change their child's name as you selected Charlie first.

 

[mOiOz]

Even if you named your dog after your sister named her child, you have every right to, They don't live in the house together, there's no confusion, so go for it! Naming after someone is generally seen as an honour!

 

[MIZMAC]

Stick to your guns. The dog knows his name. Your sister knew the name of your dog.
THEIR BAD LUCK

 

[Furbaby]

You had the name first so stick to it. It’s not like you’re living in the same house.
We also had a dog called Charlie and a cat called Di.

 

[Craftingnonna]

Once again a spoilt brat that needs to put in her place, Obviously this lady got her way all her life.My husband had the perfect answer when I told him this story “ is the woman for real?”

 

[Marvin Kombi]

Why would someone name their child with the same name as a family members or friends pet. All I can say is, “sucked in stupid!” If you had of named your dog after the birth of the child I’d say fair cop, change it! She chose to name her child with the same name as your dog, now she can live with it. Perhaps she should consider calling her son Charles or Chuck or even referring to him by his middle name instead.

 

[Dynamo]

No
You are not being unreasonable. They chose the name knowing that you have a dog named Charlie

 

[Viellarde]

She can't be very interested in you if she forgot, or even knew?, that you have a dog called Charlie. And your mother agrees 'to keep the peace'? No wonder your sister is entitled.

 

[Trish M]

If I was pregnant and considering baby names, I would not name tbe baby the same name as my sister's dog. She's barking up the wrong tree if she thinks you should rename your dog.

 

[Robbo3006]

Your Sister cocked up not You. Tell Her to build a bridge and get over it, kids don't care about things like that.