Stars of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives spark baby-name debate after naming daughters Charli and Lottie

Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews, best friends and stars of the reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, have reignited a recurring social-media debate after announcing the names of their newborn daughters. In a joint video posted this week, the pair revealed the babies’ names as Charli and Lottie — both diminutives of Charlotte — prompting thousands of comments and renewed discussion about the ethics of choosing similar names in close social circles.

The video, which included both mothers introducing their newborns, drew a mix of reactions from followers. Many commenters expressed relief that the names were not identical; others questioned whether friends and family should avoid names they know another expectant parent has already chosen. The exchange revived a familiar online conversation about whether baby names are effectively “first-come, first-served.”

The debate over name reservation is not new. Parenting groups and social-media threads frequently grapple with whether it is acceptable for relatives, friends or coworkers to give a child a name that someone close to them had planned to use. Positions vary: some people say a name belongs to the first person who announces it publicly or uses it for a baby, while others treat names as freely chosen personal decisions that need no clearance.

Commenters on the video framed the situation in familiar terms, noting the practical difficulties that arise when two children in the same family or friend group have similar-sounding names — from confusion in conversation to complications in written communication. Others defended the mothers’ choices, saying variations such as Charli and Lottie are distinct even if they share a root in Charlotte.

Sociologists and naming researchers have long observed that naming practices reflect cultural trends, family traditions and social dynamics. In recent years, the rise of social media has accelerated the visibility of naming decisions; parents often announce names online, and those announcements can prompt immediate reactions or inspire copycat choices. The increased publicness of naming can intensify disputes that previously would have remained private.

Public discussion around naming etiquette also intersects with questions of identity and intention. Some parents select names to honor family members or cultural heritage, while others prioritize uniqueness or aesthetic preference. Where these motivations clash among close associates, the outcomes can vary from cordial negotiation to online disagreement.

Among the viewers who weighed in on Neeley’s and Matthews’ announcement, several framed the situation as an example of why people should announce names early, while others suggested that people should not feel constrained by friends’ or relatives’ tentative plans. The exchange underscores that naming remains a highly personal decision that can nonetheless generate public scrutiny when celebrities or reality-TV personalities share details of their private lives.

Both Neeley and Matthews have continued to share updates about their pregnancies and parenthood on social platforms, and the naming discussion shows how quickly such personal announcements can spark wider commentary. The conversation on social media about Charli and Lottie mirrors broader public conversations about etiquette, ownership and the social dimensions of naming in the digital age.