'My colleague gave her twins matching names, I laughed so hard I was sent to HR'

Irish Daily Mirror

25-05-2025

Choosing names for twins can be a tough decision.
Some parents go for distinct names to avoid confusion, while others lean into the twin dynamic and opt for similar or "matching" names.
But one mum-to-be may have taken the matching concept a bit too far - sparking laughter at her workplace and even drawing in HR, reports The Mirror.
Sharing the story on Reddit, a co-worker explained that a colleague had recently returned to the office to introduce her newborn twin boys after a long struggle with infertility. While everyone was genuinely happy for her, her choice of baby names caught the team off guard.
"She brought the twins in and we asked what she had decided to name them," the co-worker wrote. "She said she had named them both Sean."
Confused, the co-worker asked what she meant. The new mum clarified: "One is spelled S-E-A-N and the other S-E-E-N. So, Sean and Seen."
To make things even more perplexing, the co-worker added that the mother's surname is also Sean - meaning the babies are now named Sean Sean and Seen Sean.
When the co-worker pointed this out, the mum reportedly responded: "Yes, like Tom Tom or Jay Jay," suggesting she saw it as a cute or quirky naming choice.
The situation escalated when the co-worker laughed so hard at the name reveal that HR had to step in, reminding employees to maintain professionalism and sensitivity, particularly given the emotional journey the new mother had gone through to have her children.
The co-worker explained how without thinking, they told the woman: "That is the most idiotic thing I've heard and it's going to be so confusing." After the situation, they started receiving messages from others saying it wasn't their place to make that comment.
In an update, they shared how the husband came across their Reddit post and admitted it prompted them to change the names, especially after reading the comments. The person added: "They had a good chuckle and ended up agreeing with the replies that the naming process wasn't ideal, and maybe the overwhelming process of having two newborns left them too tired to think straight.
"Despite the fact they had already sent off the paperwork to the births, deaths and marriages office (the place you lodge births for in Australia), they called up the Brisbane office and the paperwork had only been provisionally processed, and they have used this time to reassess.
"They have withdrawn the paperwork (for Seen only) and will think of a new name, but they are keeping Sean Sean as they like it. I have also been reported to HR for making this Reddit post (not by the parents, they think it's hilarious) so well well, if it isn't the consequences of my actions.
"They also want everyone to know that 'calling her an idiot isn't the worst thing I've said to her this year, and while I'm definitely a a**hole, that's more of an in general thing than tied to this situation'." Describing their HR meeting as "underwhelming", they said the company asked them "to be more considerate of co-worker's feelings" and to "not put this meeting all over the internet".
Commenting on their post, one user said: "Sean isn't a stupid name, but Seen is. I don't care if you were rude. It's better for the mum to have the rude awakening before her children are born rather then after." Another user added: "My friend literally named her kid Beetle. So yeah. People are dumb."