Parental Responsibility in Naming Multiples
by Lynda P. Haddon
An important parenting responsibility is the naming of our child. In the case
of multiples, the responsibility can be even greater. It is helpful for parents
of multiples to remember that while their kiddies arrive more than one at a time,
they remain individuals with distinct likes, dislikes, interests and abilities.
They are not a package. However, when multiples are continually dressed alike
and given rhyming, similar sounding names or names which begin with the same letter,
the public perceives them as a package and the chances of confusing them is heightened.
We all need to believe we are unique and parents can support their multiples in
helping them to feel so.
There is another important reason for NOT naming your multiples alike. In some medical
situations rhyming names or similar initials can result in healthcare professionals
pulling the wrong file, and perhaps treating the wrong person. This scenario has
happened more often that one would think and parents can easily ensure it does not
happen with their offspring.
Before naming their children, parents need to consider that what they think is “cute”,
interesting or reinforces the fact the kids are multiples, may back fire on the
children as they struggle to maintain their identify in the real world. Parents
will not always be there to identify, support or explain who is whom, e.g. the school
yard, at summer camp, in the medical system. So avoiding rhyming or similar names
gives each multiple in the set the best chance at being and staying individual and
unique. Make life simple for your multiples. Recognize that your multiples are individuals
and deserve distinctly different monikers.
The list of names herein may be part of the current trend, but there are
no favours done for the children when something as short as one letter can make
the difference from picking the right medical file or not (e.g. Mandy and Andy,
Taylor and Tylor), or not being ridiculed in the school yard. Think beyond the moment
and remember that a name (usually) lasts a lifetime and as the parents, it is our
responsibility to make sure that that our children not only have food, shelter,
clothing, education but also names which will not potentially haunt them for the
rest of their lives.