Naming a baby after someone you love can be tricky. On one hand, it can be a real honor. On the other, it can be a little uncomfortable, especially depending on the context.
One expectant mom took to Reddit to share the bizarre situation she found herself in with her family. The original poster explained that she experienced the crushing loss of her husband, a member of the military, in the middle of her pregnancy. OP expected to honor him by giving their son, whom she is currently eight months pregnant with, the name they'd already chosen, with her husband's name as the baby's middle name.
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Her family members knew her intentions, which is why OP was shocked when her sister, also pregnant, gave birth to her own baby boy and named the baby after OP's husband, causing a stir.
OP explained her situation with her husband and family.
"I (30F) am 8 months pregnant with my first child, it's a boy. My husband Rodrigo (35M) died in the army 3 months ago," she shared.
"My sister Kayla (28F) just gave birth five days ago."
OP was excited to meet Kayla's baby, especially because they've been living together.
"She and her BF live with our parents, and I temporarily moved in as well (it's a very big house) because I hated being alone and my parents have been very supportive," OP explained.
"We were going to name the baby Alex, and I am still going with that, plus Rodrigo as a middle name. My sister never discussed baby names with me or the family, she just always said she loves Hispanic names (we are white Americans, my husband was Mexican)."
OP was stunned to learn the baby's name.
"Yesterday she came back home with the baby and introduced us all to 'baby boy Rodrigo,'" she revealed.
"I started crying and told her that's really awful of her. My mother comforted me and told my sister she is way out of line with the name."
OP's sister feels very differently about the situation.
"Sister says I don't own the name, it's a common name where we live (it is) and I am going with Rodrigo a middle name anyway, not a first, so it won't be a problem," she noted.
"I told my sister to just change the name to literally anything else. She says I'm an AH for suggesting she changes her kid's identity."
Commenters didn't think OP should budge on the issue.
"Her kid doesn't have an identity yet. But she sounds so selfish, she will never do it," one commenter wrote.
"Do yourself a favor and find your own place before giving birth and move out. I'm very sorry for your loss."
"Is she really gonna say that's his identity while he's an INFANT?" another agreed.
"I think my eyes just nearly rolled out of my head. If she refuses to change it I'd tell her to kick rocks and go no contact."
Most leveled that, at minimum, OP's sister should have told her.
"She should have consulted you if she was considering that name, it's a constant reminder of your loss along with the fact you had already made it clear it would be the middle name for your child," they wrote.
"Super insensitive the way she did it as well, and you'd be well within your rights to not let it go. I'm so so sorry for your loss."
OP's sister's husband even thought she knew.
While answering a commenter about her usual relationship with her sister, OP revealed her sister's partner didn't even know the name was a surprise.
"We have an okay relationship otherwise. She is a bit of an attention seeker, but it isn't really bad or anything," she said of her sister.
"My sister told him I was on board and honoured they would name their baby Rodrigo. He thinks that my sister was wrong to name the baby that, but he doesn't want to pressure her to change the name."
Many people agree OP's sister was very selfish.
"When she announces his name or people ask about it, she'll get to share this story about how her beloved BIL passed away, so bravely serving his country, and she just had to do something to honor him and how meaningful it is that he shares a name with the uncle he never got to meet," one commenter said of the sister's intentions.
"I 100% think this is a way to garner sympathy and attention."
These stories are based on posts found on Reddit. Reddit is a user-generated social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website where registered members submit content to the site and can up- or down-vote the content. The accuracy and authenticity of each story cannot be confirmed by our staff.
