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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Dodgy surname combinations?

20 replies

Buenavista · 21/08/2015 09:55

I'm not sure if I'm now overthinking this. Our surname is the classic english Cox. I really want to try and avoid a combination that is easily going to lead to teasing such as Hugo. Some names are just a bit too close too e.g. Harry / Hairy. Can you please look at our short list and see if you would rule out any of these for possible rude nicknames?

Boys
Ethan
Jack
Nathaniel / Nat/ Nate
Daniel

Girls
Emma
Olivia
Lily

Thank you. I'm aware some of these combinations would be relatively plain but they're just the names we like and I'm less bothered about that than rude names!

OP posts:

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BeautifulLiar · 21/08/2015 09:59

Olivia is a no go.

Either "All over your cox"
Or "I love your cox"

How annoying, I have an ex with that surname!

Helenluvsrob · 21/08/2015 10:07

Mostly I'd say avoid the obvious and go for what you like ( by obvious im thinking Hugh for instance ) teen boys will be vile purile creatures and that is the thing that needs stamping on not your choice of name!

Jack might end up as " jack off" and Emma as " im a " but that's about all my inner teenager can see.

What is your husbands name ? Did he have trouble at all?

Sophronia · 21/08/2015 10:21

I know an Alex Cox, Isaac Cox would be another no go

From your list I'd avoid Jack due to the "jacking off" thing, and Olivia and Emma as pps have said. I think the rest are ok.

Buenavista · 21/08/2015 10:22

It is very annoying! I've already ruled out lots of lovely names like Isla (I love), Esme ('ere's me), part of me wonders whether where there's a will there's a way. DH never had any problems, it didn't occur to me until quite recently. Is Ethan too close to eating?! Grr.

OP posts:

Buenavista · 21/08/2015 10:23

Alex was another top choice until someone said it was close to 'I licks'

OP posts:

Notaverymemorablename · 21/08/2015 11:13

How about double barrelling a first name. Isla-Jane just for an example. Will be less obvious then?

All of your first name choices for boys seem fine to me

Jenga2703 · 21/08/2015 22:48

Our surname is Alcock. I am having the same problem :'( Unfortunately, Alex was one of my top choice names until I saw this thread. Wonder if teens will just make fun of any name with "cock" connotations no matter the first name and so be it...?

NobodyLivesHere · 22/08/2015 01:45

I think Esme would be fine!

my kids have a stupid surname. i feel your pain lol

WishIWasWonderwoman · 22/08/2015 02:29

Nathaniel and Daniel are good (and safe!).

Lily seems the safest of yours girls names but too be honest I think Emma would be okay too (unless you have an unusual accent).

How about Danielle or Daniella for a girl if you like Daniel?

Buenavista · 22/08/2015 11:34

Thank you for the replies. Hmm, maybe you're right in that it's probably impossible to prevent all teasing, and who knows maybe a little bit would be character building or something! I originally wanted a classic 3 syllable name to go with Cox but we just can't find one we agree on. I'm not altogether put off Emma probably because it's our strongest favourite, I will rethink Olivia though, I was thinking of that as a middle name. I'm not keen on double barrelled names, good suggestion though. Sorry Jenga if I've put you off Alex. I really like illiterate names, Alexander Alcock is a strong name. I wanted Sebastian / Seb but DH has vetoed.

OP posts:

Buenavista · 22/08/2015 11:47

One colleague did suggest with a straight face Ophelia. Er, no.

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WishIWasWonderwoman · 22/08/2015 12:06

Ophelia!

Is cox pronounced as written or pronounced as "co?"

Jenga2703 · 22/08/2015 12:56

I love Emma! Another on our list :) my maiden name got made into a 'funny' innuendo nickname at school and its not even slightly sexual sounding, so I'm coming around more and more to the idea that teens will be teens and I'll just pick a name I like and be done with it!

Ememem84 · 22/08/2015 13:07

Feel for you. I had a stupid surname. Then I married she and changed it. Now less stupid but still annoying surname....

kavv0809 · 22/08/2015 13:15

If you like Emma what about Emily or other variants?

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 22/08/2015 14:45

I know someone called Emma with that surname and I can honestly say she's never had an issue

Lightbulbon · 22/08/2015 14:59

Use a different surname?

Seriously I know someone who legally changed from this surname because they hated it so much.

Why inflict it on a child when you don't have to?

Daphnedolittle · 22/08/2015 18:28

I know an Emma with that surname too and it never even crossed my mind!

SmugairleRoin · 23/08/2015 02:04

Not Ethan - it's too close to 'Eating Cox' iyswim. Huge possibility for cruel nicknames there.

Jack and Olivia are a bit unfortunate with the surname, as people have said. All lovely names though.

Junosmum · 25/08/2015 19:21

You have the surname Cox. Avoid Hugh and just go with a name you like. I appreciate that you don't want to give your child extra cause for ridicule but kids will be kids and make fun of people for all reasons. My friend has the name Dix, and has never been made fun of for that (but for plenty of other things!).

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