18-05-2025
Mom Wants Adult Cousin to Change Her Name So She Can Use It for Her Baby
An expectant mom, named Lila, asked her cousin to 'give up' her name so that her baby could use it
Lila claims the special name is tied to a 'family prophecy'
The cousin was stunned by the bold request and took to Reddit to share the storyA woman says her cousin wants to name her child after her because the special moniker is tied to a "family prophecy."
In a Reddit post, the 23-year-old explained that her cousin Lila, 25, is "very into family lore, spiritual omens, and old prophecies that have been passed down through our great-grandmother's side."
"Most of the time, I just go along with it because it's harmless—stuff like 'never plant rosemary on a full moon' or 'our bloodline has a connection to the ocean.' Weird, but whatever," she began. "Well, now she's pregnant, and things have gotten intense."
"Last week, she announced that she wants to name her daughter after me," she continued. "I was flattered at first and asked why she chose my name. That's when she got all serious and said, 'Because you're the chosen one.' "
The woman was stunned and replied, "Uhh… excuse me?"
Her cousin explained that, "according to a family prophecy, a girl born into our bloodline with my name would have a great spiritual awakening, unlock ancient family powers, and become the protector of our lineage."
"I laughed, thinking she was joking," the user continued. "She wasn't."
Instead, the cousin said her baby "was 'meant' to be the true heir to the prophecy, and by giving her my name, she could 'absorb my connection' to whatever mystical forces our great-grandmother supposedly tapped into."
Lila then asked the Reddit user to "release the name" to her child.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
"I asked what that meant, and she said that for the magic to work, I needed to stop using my name and 'let it fully belong' to her daughter," she wrote. "I was like, 'Lila… you want me to give up my own name??' "
"She nodded and said I could pick a new one—something neutral and mundane, so I wouldn't 'compete for the energy.' "
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the woman told her cousin no, and the cousin, in return, became upset.
Now, some family members are arguing that the woman "should at least consider" giving up her name.
"I honestly don't care if the kid gets magical powers or not—I'm not renaming myself just so her baby can have full access to the family spirits or whatever," the woman added.
Reddit users are firmly on the side of the original poster, arguing she should not give up her name for the cousin's child.
"Tell her you are indeed the Chosen One, and if she tries to steal your power you will curse her and all her descendants," joked one commenter.
Read the original article on People
