My wife and I have the SAME names – and traveling is a NIGHTMARE

A couple with identical first and middle names have told how they ditched matching surnames after marriage in a bid to prevent further confusion. 

Vancouver-based Nicole Marie Skutelnik, 35, and Nicole Marie LaCroce, 37, met in 2021 and were online friends before dating. They met on an LGBT dating app, and thought they only shared a first name.

However, after adding each other on Facebook two weeks later they realized they both shared a middle name of Marie too – due to their Italian heritage.

In an Instagram video, which has been viewed more than 80,000 times, Nicole Marie Skutelnik explains that she was keen to change her ‘weird’ last name through marriage but when she met her ‘perfect partner’ with the exact first and middles name she realized she would end up with ‘unlimited problems.’ 

They met on an LGBT dating app , and thought they only shared a first name

However, after adding each other on Facebook two weeks later they realized they both shared a middle name of Marie too – due to their Italian heritage

She continues: ‘[Like] trying to travel with the exact same name on your passport. It leaves you with no other option but to keep your weird last name.’

Before they married in October 2022, the couple considered double-barreling their surnames, but thought it was too complex and confusing. 

Despite not taking the same last names, they say their identical first and middle monikers still cause ‘chaos and confusion’ – especially when they travel and have to present identification documents.   

Nicole Skutelnik is from Vancouver where they now both live together, but Nicole LaCroce – who goes by ‘Nikki’ – is from the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – meaning they often cross borders together on visits.

Recounting one incident, Nikki said: ‘One time we drove across the border together and the guy asked, “Which one of you is Nicole?” and we both raised our hands.

‘Then he asked, “Which is Nicole Marie” and we both raised our hands again.

‘We realized travel would be difficult. We roll our eyes but we’re both light-hearted people so we do chuckle about it.’

They said even now whenever the name ‘Nicola’ or ‘Nick’ is called, both turn in unison – and have to use context to try and work out who was being spoken to.

Before they married in October 2022, the couple considered double-barreling their surnames, but thought it was too complex and confusing

Despite not taking the same last names, they say their identical first and middle monikers still cause ‘chaos and confusion’ – especially when they travel

The couple regularly post content to TikTok and Instagram, where they use the handle @nic_and_nik, and they also run a podcast called Who The F***

Even on their wedding day, virtual guests got confused who was being spoken to. 

Nikki said: ‘It was actually funny during our wedding ceremony.

‘The amount of times the officiant said ‘Nicole Marie’ – I wish I had counted. You could have made a drinking game out of it!

‘My dad couldn’t make it so Facetimed us. He was getting confused who was being spoken to!’

Nikki says that for Italian girls born in the 80’s, Marie is the most generic middle name.

After she found Nicole on Facebook, she asked ‘are you the kind of Italian with the middle name Marie?’ and the answer was ‘yes.’

Luckily they chalked it up to one of the endless list of things they have in common – and they’ve always seen the funny side of it.

The couple regularly post content to TikTok and Instagram, where they use the handle @nic_and_nik, and they also run a podcast called Who The F***. 

In their posts, they address everything from coming out as lesbians to deciding not to have children.

On the topic of having kids, they joke that if they ever did, they should make ‘Nicole Marie’ the family name, and give the children a different last name.

Nicole said: ‘We don’t get too confused by it any more and if we do it’s just funny.

‘But it compounds exactly how much we have in common!’