How terrible would it be?

OK, so after some negotiation, the name Elliott James is back on the table.

Marcus James, Theodore James, and Elliott James.

And actually, last night, I dreamt up two more names--Elias James and Isaac James, but I haven't asked Kevin about them yet.

But I like them a lot.

Now, not EVERYONE knows this, but you all know this--I had a pet named Elliott. He was a gray and white bunny, and like Evita, he died before his time. He was only two, and he had some intestinal problems and he died. And it broke my heart because I loved him so fiercly (I think you can only understand if you have had pets that you truly love).

I suggested Elliott earlier, and Kevin said no way, because evidently he thought it was just after my bunny, and he didn't want to name our kid after my pet. I didn't really feel it was after my pet--I mean ok, I had a pet named Elliott, but, I still really love the name and think it's adorable. If I never had a pet named Elliott, I would still want to use the name.

After more discussion with Kevin, he understands that I don't want to name him Elliott AFTER the bunny--I just truly love the name. But we have decided to keep this to ourselves for the time being. Most of our family and friends know about Elliott the bunny, at least most on my side, and might make the connection. My parents and brothers would IMMEDIATELY make the connection, and would be very critical.

But through his life, friends and strangers that he meets would have no idea that I had a pet named Elliott, too.

He might hear it someday from a family member, something like "You know, before you were born, your mom had a pet rabbit named Elliott, too".

So, my question is--is that terrible to do to a kid? I mean, he's going to way outlive the rabbit, and the rabbit's memory will fade, right? And the fact that our son shares a name with a passed on pet will eventually fade, too, and the name will become only our son's name.

Would it be wrong or cruel for a child to share a name with a beloved pet? Provided of course the name is human appropriate (Sareet, I don't think you should name your future daughter Pig, after your dog. Just FYI!:)).

What do you think? Am I crazy? And if you read this and have contact with either of our families, don't tell them we are considering the name. His family might not know about/ remember about the bunny Elliott. My family will SURELY know about it, and they would really give me hell and tell me I'm a nutcase.

Are they right?