Hey Proud_Mummy, your story and mine sound just alike. I don't think your friend stole your name on purpose out of spite, she probably just started thinking about it when she heard you say it and starting thinking, "I like that". Because I really think that is what happened with my friend, too. They had another name picked out for a boy and then they changed it to this name- and like you said, it was the only boys' name that I and my husband really liked! Maybe you will be able to use it first. If not, I'd use it anyway!
Some people just don't care if they "take" your name or not. My husband and I will never tell the names we like from now on to anyone. We have another boy's name in mind now, but I don't dare tell anyone what it is, especially since it is not a common name you hear alot, and it wouldn't be likely that anyone would use it unless they heard me say it, and I'm not giving anyone any ideas.

sorry, but you can't book a name. its for anyone to use as they please. i had the same thing happen to me, my best friend used the name alice after i told her thats what i was naming my daughter. i did get upset about it, but after awhile i realized i was being silly. i named my daughter jamie instead. alice is a tubby lil girl with short black curly hair and a rotten attitude. jamie is a tall girl with long blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes, and althugh she has the demeanor of a 3 year old, she knows to say please and thank you and is generally pretty good. im glad i named her jamie, i could imagine her being an alice now.