Message: "Re: Met adorable twins the other day..."

This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

[Opinions] Re: Met adorable twins the other day...

by Dot (Spider from Mars)

11/25/2007, 12:15 PM

I just want to sit anyone who's expecting twins down and say, "Now, you do know you are not giving birth to dolls? Twins are human beings. They are not the same human being. Do not dress them in matchy clothes, do not make them do everything together and for god's sake don't give them matchy names. Honestly! No Phoebe and Melanie. No Alex and Alexa. No Romeo and Juliet. No McKayla and McKenzie."

And no Lillie and Lucie! Way to ruin two perfectly good names by making them all matchy.

Replies

- Array (WeloveyouJesseLacey) +4

11/25/2007, 4:19 PM

Honestly, I don't think Phoebe and Melanie deserve to be put in the same category as Romeo and Juliet. D: One is tacky and awkward, and the other is a subtle theme that doesn't draw attention to itself.

I understand feeling vitriolic over names that are matchy-matchy, but I don't see a problem in names that are a good match. If that makes sense. :)

Array

- Isla

11/26/2007, 2:34 PM

Names having opposite or related meanings would bother me less than twins having names that had the same meaning, like Heather & Erica or Anna & Grace, but those still don't bother me as much as names that sound very similar or start with the same initial. And, of course, Romeo & Juliet. Cuz that's just gross. :b

- Murasaki (lady murasaki)

11/26/2007, 4:45 AM

Yes, I agree that while similar-sounding, rhymey and obvious themes (eg Winter and Summer) for twins are horrid, I rather like the idea of a "hidden theme". I hadn't even realized that the theme with Phoebe and Melanie was related to meaning, I thought the issue Dot had with them was that they're a bit rhymey, since they both end with a long -e sound.

- Dot (Spider from Mars) +1

11/25/2007, 7:09 PM

I think you're right...

If I met twins named Phoebe and Melanie in real life I would be okay with it, while I'd have a hard time even holding a conversation with Romeo/Juliet or Tristan/Isolde or whatever twins. So, yeah, probably went over the top there.

It's just...I don't like the whole idea of twins matching, not just the names, but everything. Parents seem to have the urge to name them matchy names, dress them in matchy clothes, and squee over how matchy they are. Well, yes, they look alike...but must you coo over that fact so?

So, the general sentiment bugs me even when the names aren't as in your face matchy. Like, when people say 'top names for twins', it seems like those should just be the parents' two favourite names. Why should it change?

- queenv

11/26/2007, 10:47 AM

Out of curiosity, though it's straying a bit off the topic, I was wondering what you would think about my two sisters? They were not twins, but were born only one year apart. Their names were Patricia and Pamela, but they were always called Patty and Pammy. (Patty is still Patty now that we're adults, but Pammy has become Pam.) My mother used to often, though not always, dress them alike. Many people were under the mistaken impression that they were fraternal twins. Do you think it's still a mistake to give your children matchy names and matching clothes if they're NOT twins? Just wondering, I won't be offended by any answer.

- blaaarg +1

11/25/2007, 2:37 PM

What about Dexter and Sinister? Are those okay?

fave twinset EVER

- Lillian (LillianAMS)

11/26/2007, 8:13 AM

Rofl!

- CN (CSwe) +2

11/25/2007, 1:02 PM

Have to ask...

What's wrong with Phoebe and Melanie?

- Dot (Spider from Mars)

11/25/2007, 7:04 PM

Honestly, it's not as bad as the others, but it's one I see talked about a lot as "would be so cute for twins!" They have opposite meanings: Phoebe means light, Melanie means dark.

- Julia (JuliaF)

11/25/2007, 1:57 PM

Phoebe means "bright" and Melanie means "dark".

View Message

Replies