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Ex-husband under fire for 'weird' baby name choice with new partner: 'Wrong on so many levels'

By Naomi White|

Baby names can be a minefield - as soon as you find one you like, it feels as if someone finds a reason to veto it. But one name that is surely off-limits is that of your older child.

One mum has been left fuming and heartbroken after her ex-husband decided to use "almost the same name" as his eldest son for his baby with a new partner.

Opening up about the situation on Mumsnet, the woman explained that the former couple's son Barnaby, 11, is not very close to his biological father, but still had some contact with his dad.

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A mum has turned to Mumsnet for advice after her ex-husband named his new son the same name as their child.
The mum worries her son will feel he has been replaced by his baby brother. (iStock)

''My ex has been in a relationship for around two years I gather, with a woman I have only ever spoken a few words to as when I drop Barnaby at his house she never seems to be in", she wrote.

The pair recently welcomed their first child, which the anonymous poster heard about via her son.

While she was initially happy for the couple, this quickly turned to anger on hearing the name they had chosen: Barney.

"I was speechless!", she declared. "I asked him why he called his son basically the same name as our son Barnaby. He said that he hadn't realised that, but was not going to change it because his DP (darling partner) had fallen in love with the name."

"Am I the only one who thinks this is wrong on many levels practically calling your son the same name as your other son, and what can I actually do about this (do I just have to leave it and tell my son that he has basically been 'replaced'!"

Most users agreed that it was a perplexing choice, arguing the dad should have thought it through more.

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A mum has turned to Mumsnet for advice after her ex-husband named his new son the same name as their son.
The mum asked for advice in how to explain this to her son. (iStock)

"What an absolute nutter... how odd," said one. "Your ex and his partner are both complete idiots. Honestly, some people are ridiculous," agreed another.

"I'd tell them both that it's grossly insensitive to give their child almost the same name as your son. There are thousands of names to choose and to pick one that detracts from your sons uniqueness is appalling. The pair of them must be mindless!," said a third.

Others however felt that Barnaby and Barney were different names and the mum was overthinking things.

"It's not even the same name. It's slightly strange with the names being very similar but it doesn't mean the dad doesn't care or the kid has been replaced. It's just a name," said one.

"You are being unreasonable, the names are similar but not the same, your son isn't being replaced, don't alienate your son against his father," said another, "Don't project your insecurities onto your child."

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