Can you ever ‘claim’ a baby name for yourself? An expert weighs in

Have you ever been reluctant to tell a friend your favourite baby names, like Monica in Friends?

To some Rachel taking Monica's favourite girl name, Emma, for her own daughter was one of the cruelest a friend could do - but can you ever really try to keep a baby name for yourself? And is it fair to 'take' the baby name a friend or relative wants for their own child? Baby naming expert Pamela Redmond Satran of Nameberry  believes names are actually fair game in some circumstances. Trendy or very popular names like Olivia or Daniel can't be claimed, for example. "Those names are up for grabs. You’re not the only one," she told Bravo. She also believes that a family name can't be claimed unless you have a very special connection with the person. "If it’s your grandmother’s maiden name, if it’s the great, great grandfather’s middle name and you have 50 cousins who also like it, you can’t call dibs," she said. Pamela thinks a couple should be expecting a child before they try to lock down a name for themselves and that people should get their nose out of joint if their name is 'copied'. "It seems bizarre that people get upset that someone in their town uses the name … it’s like, yeah people hear your child’s name."