My first son Benjamin was born 2 years ago. Sadly, just two weeks after bringing him home, our beloved yellow Lab Luke died unexpectedly. We were devastated, but over time we are now able to think of him fondly. Our second son is now due to arrive in January and of course we are looking for a name. I would love to use the name Luke- not as a tribute to the dog- but because I really like the name and think it goes great with our other son's name. My husband also really likes the name but is more hesitant because he is afraid people will think it's weird. The people I have asked (except for my Mother) have all assured me they they don't thing it's weird- but these are my good friend. So mama's, I need honesty, if you had a friend tell you she was doing this would you secretly think it was weird? I really have my heart set on this name, but obviously still have some doubts!
I want you all to know how much I appreciated the responses I received. Many touched me- made me laugh, or feel much better about the idea. I showed all of the responses to my husband- he read them all but hasn't said much yet- I don't want to push but I think the comments and insight you had helped both of us. I think that many of you are right that soon enough it would be my son's name and people wouldn't think of the dog. Thanks for sharing you honest thoughts and stories- I enjoyed them all!
I would try not to worry about what folks are thinking, but easier said than done, I know. Perhaps you could tell folks who you think might be thinking it is wierd "Lucas" but you can always call hin Luke. ( I prefer that version too).
Totally fine! Just do what makes you happy and don't worry what a few other judgemental people may think. Congrats!
I think you should use the name if you like it. Most people either won't know or will forget quickly anyway.
Go for it. I think it's fine. And Ben and Luke do sound great together.
That's so funny. I think we pick names for our pets because we like those names, not just that we like that name for a dog or whatever. I know my sister and her husband were kind of regretting that they had named their dog Gus or they might have used it for their son. So if you have your heart set on it, it's not really that weird.
Do whatever you want. If you love the name use it. If you are still uncomfortable you might consider using Luke or Lucas as a middle name. I have two close friends who use both their first and middle names. Some friends and family call them by their first name, other group of people call them by their middle names. Our daughter is just Hope to some and Hope Reinee to others. There are lots of options! Best wishes!!
Yes, initially it would seem weird. But I think I would forget about it a lot quicker than some of the truly weird names friends have chosen (like Zuzu, Casper). After a little while people won't associate the name with the dog, but just with your new son.
Luke is a great name. To maybe add some insight I had a classmate named Chloe, after her mom's favorite perfume and dog. We joked about it but she never really got teased. I would think that it would be worse to your name your son something completely off the wall, then it would be to name him something traditional like Luke (who just so happened to be a family pet).
If you and your husband really like the name then there shouldn't be any problem naming your second son "Luke". In time only your oldest friends will remember that you had a dog with the same name. Personally, I like the name too and I think it's sweet that there's a connection between your old dog and new son...maybe a little humorous, but in a very sweet way. My vote is to give your son the name you love.
Good luck!!
I don't think it's that weird--especially since when we named our second daughter Sadie, I had more people comment on how many dogs they knew with that name rather than something like, "oh, what a cute name." Many people give their animals people names (and some people give their kids animal names, but that's a different story) and regardless, you are bound to run into one or two people/animals with the same name, if it's popular. BTW, I have yet to meet a dog Sadie since my Sadie was born, 18 mos ago. If you love it, do it.
I think if you wanted to name him Spot after your dog, that might be a little weird, but Luke is a perfectly wonderful name for your new little boy. I would use it!!
It's okay, D.!
I have a two year old son and am expecting our 2nd in April. We're having a hard time with names too. My brother named his dog, who is about 8 now, the name I've always wanted to name my daughter (could be a boy name too, though), KC. It would be spelled differently, but I'm sure my brother will give me grief if I do it. But the dog won't be around as long as the child, so I'm okay with that.
People who didn't know your dog won't have a clue. People who did will remember what a wonderful Lab he was ('cause all Labs are wonderful, aren't they?). Doesn't matter. It'll give your son something to talk about when he's older :-)
By the way, we're thinking of using the name Luke for a boy too, so I know it's a good name!
B.
If you were getting ready to name your child Fido, yes, I'd think you're weird. Luke is a lovely name - if anybody asks, you picked the name because you like it. And if your family is anything like mine, your mom thinking it's weird is not necessarily a downcheck... ;)
I have been here...twice. Our Sheltie Riley passed away a few years ago and our German Shepherd Gianni will be not with us much longer. I love Riley for a boy or Rileigh for a girl and Gianna for a girl but felt unsure about it, we ended up going with other names.
I think Luke is a lovely name for a baby boy. And the fact that it brings fond memories to you, makes it all the more special. I don't think it's wierd in any way, especially because it's originally a people name. Now if you were thinking of calling your new baby "Rover" that might be different! Do you watch All my Children? Kendall (Erica's) daughter, named her 1st born son "Spike". All because that's what she called him in-eutoro...it just stuck. It's not totally unheard of. Best wishes on everything!!
One of my very good friends did the same thing. She loved the name Sydney and named her dog that. Several yrs later she had twin girls and she still really loved the name, so she name one Sydney. The dog passed when her daughter was 2. I have never heard her say she regrets naming her daughter that and she still adores the name. I just don't see a problem with it. I love the name Luke and if anyone has anything to say about it, just remind them of your love for the name.
I say go for it. I named my son Michael and I got a lot of people who thought it was weird because my brother's name is Michael and my husband's cousin's name is Michael and I have an uncle named Michael... But it's our favorite name in the world! Like you, I just had my heart set on it.
Good luck!
Totally not weird!!! Luke is a beautiful name. My husband and I played this game so much when I was pregnant with our son, Solomon. Every name brings up an emotion. It sounds like this one brings up love and happiness- what more could you ask for?? And the other mama's are right- it would only be weird if the dog was still alive. Also, think of families that have jr's- now I think that is a little weird (sorry to any of you moms who have jr's!!)to name a baby after yourself:) Good luck!!
A.
Name your baby Luke! If you aren't naming the baby after the dog, you aren't. How many of us have known multiple Michaels and Steves and Jims and yet we would never think they were named after each other?! You love the dog. You love the name. They're different. I hope baby Luke arrives happy and healthy in January.
D.,
If the friends knew the dog since it was a puppy, then I think it would be wierd. If I were the friend, everytime I heard the childs' name, I would either think about the dog, or turn my head to look for it.
I hope your friends are truly honest with you and I wish you the best of health for him.
Maybe another name will pop up and change your mind.
Be well.
I do not think this is weird at all,I think it is wonderful !
I myself have an 9 yr old son named after a cat ! When I was in my twenties I had a lynx-point siamese kitten with the biggest bluest eyes you could ever imagine .I just adored him so.When my life took a new direction ,I need to move and my new place would not accept pets .I was so sad ,I felt like how could I give up my best friend, but I found (CODY) a new home, with someone who loved him like I did ,but I never saw him again .For many years I dreamed of those blue eyes and remembered his sweet loving personality .Then when I turned 31 I gave birth to my 3rd child .When they brought him to me for that first time in my hospital room as I looked into his eyes I saw once again that beautiful color blue I had seen only once before in my life .I knew in an instant my baby would be named cody and he has to this day that same loving personality that touches my heart .
Hi D.,
Just want to add my vote: I don't find it weird at all. Those of us who choose "people names" for our pets (and I'm one of those people, too) choose names we love for our pets. I agree absolutely that it would only be odd if the pet were still alive.
Good luck!
As someone who doesn't know your family (or former dog) it doesn't seem strange to me. Since you are a bit concerned about the similarity (as if naming after your dog), perhaps you could name him Lucas and call him Luke (that way it's not technically the same name?).
I say use the name. Its a great name for a little boy. We named our son John after his grandpa (my husband's dad), but we alreay had a cat named Johnny (which I had for 5 years before I even met my husband) so the child goes by "Jack" :)
It's only weird if the dog is still alive (and I know someone who contemplated this). If you love the name, which is probably why you picked it for your dog when he was your only child, then I say use it. I realize this is a problem we won't have - our dog's name was Frosty :)
That is a little bit weird. Sorry for the honesty but I do think it is bizarre.
