Dear Miss Emily:

My niece is naming her baby "Jane" and now my stepdaughter wants to use the same name. There's a big family uproar! We think my stepdaughter should come up with her own. Am I wrong?

------------------------------Miss Emily's advice------------------------

Have you approached your stepdaughter on this issue? And if so, what was her reaction? This kind of thing does crop up in families and those who object want to wave their fingers in the person's face and say, "What is your problem?" But, usually, the copycat is clueless and thinks everyone else needs to get over it. You can't force her to change her mind and, although it seems silly she can't be more imaginative, it's best to let it go.  Bottom line: Consider the source. Perhaps she'll change her mind before her baby is born. If not, get used to saying Jane One, or Jane Two, whenever the two girls are together --  and from the sound of your letter, I think you probably hope that isn't often.