Mum is afraid her daughter and half sister’s names will be associated with tragic crime

Would you have made the connection?

This Mumsnet user is concerned about naming her soon-to-be-daughter Jessica in case people associate it with a tragic crime. The woman is worried that the combination of her partner's daughter's name with the name Jessica will lead to them being compared to two young murder victims. The mum to be posted;

"I’ve name changed as this is quite outing. My partner has a DD called Holly. I am pregnant with our DD who I did want to name Jessica. This has been my favourite name for years. Growing up all my dolls had the name Jessica and I was thrilled when I found out we were having a girl and I could use that name. But having heard OH say the names together I am starting to worry about what people will say! Are we going to have to pick a different name?"

There was a mixed reaction with some posters not seeing what the problem is;

"I don’t get the link between the two names . . ." "I honestly don't think people will even bat an eyelid! I had to really think to see what you meant. It isn't really the first thing that will come to mind meeting a lovely little girl." "I’d bet if you referred to the children as Jessica and Holly even fewer people would make the connection. Just use the name you have loved for years."

Others thought it was far too risky to chance;

"I just thought 'Oh No' when I saw your SD's name. I really don't think you can. What about something similar? " "I saw a link with Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman straight away sorry. As a middle name yes but I personally wouldn't." "It's the first thing that I thought of. Personally I wouldn't just due to the tragic link, it's too sad."

To be honest the 2002 murders of Holly and Jessica were the first thing that came to mind. I'm only a year and a half older than the girls and remember it being all over the news like it was yesterday. I don't think I could use the name, as aside from anyone else, I would constantly see the connection. What do you think? Do you think the names will always remind people of the awful tragedy or should she just go with the name that she's always loved and forget about the similarities?