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AIBU?

Hyphenated names

126 replies

GirlOnATrainToShite · 24/09/2017 17:38

AIBU

SIL just had her 1st baby and gave her a really beautiful name and middle name which now I have seen written down I realise they have hyphenated.

It it just me or is this not a massive PITA having a hyphenated name for form filling, it's a mouthful and will inevitably be shortened whether you want it or not?

Pick one name FFs!

I have noticed it's getting quite popular.

OP posts:
splendidisolation · 24/09/2017 17:42

I think its kind of reflective of pur narcissistic times.

Used to be your parents would bang a Jane/Emma/Sarah/Jen/Becky label on your and off you'd go.

I'm not a parent but seems these days its all about making your kid seem and feel as utterly unique as possible. Which of course, none of us really are, in a sense.

Obviously the truly original and unique thing to do would be to officially name your child something like Humanoid741003.

Winteriscomingneedmorewood · 24/09/2017 17:44

Where I used to live was a woman and her dsis who had 6 dc each and all had double barrelled names!! Left the shop with a headache after hearing them gather up all the dc at the checkout!! The dsis with dc my dc went to school with had db surnames also. Poor teachers.

thatwhichwecallarose · 24/09/2017 17:44

I have a hyphenated name. No faff on forms - it's only 9 letters including the hyphen (same as dd2 incidentally). Although admittedly I only ever get called the first name. Given I changed my name to the second most popular in the country, I like that I'm "unique".

Maelstrop · 24/09/2017 17:44

Very common in Europe. Narcissistic? No, just a different way to what you think should be done, hardly narcissistic. There are loads of kids at school with hyphenated names, including some boys. Should I deride what their parents chose to call them? Rude.

x2boys · 24/09/2017 17:45

i have a hyphenated name im nearly 44 its never been shortened people try but i dont answer them its rude to call somebody something that isnt their name

silverbell64 · 24/09/2017 17:48

DS has a hyphenated surname. His dad and I split when he was very young so instead of having a tonne of arguments we gave him both surnames. Son however is pretty easy about being called just one of either.

beCreativeInitiate · 24/09/2017 17:49

It's more annoying when people do it with surnames in the pretentious, snobbish way.

I have an annoying 'Norman' name and don't understand why people would foist a faux one upon their children. It seems to accompany the expensive buggies that cost several months benefits

someonestolemynick · 24/09/2017 17:51

I have a hyphenated name.

I don't go by my full first name and am not a huge fan of tge combination but I really don't have any practical difficulties.

Angelicinnocent · 24/09/2017 17:51

Slightly off topic but something I've always wondered. If you double barrel your DC surname and they grow up to have DC with someone else with a double barrel surname, how do they pick their surname?

GirlOnATrainToShite · 24/09/2017 17:52

I think in Spain they always double barrel the surname....?

OP posts:
Queenofthedrivensnow · 24/09/2017 17:53

I used to work in holiday club. I remember these kids being dropped off and the mum saying 'now remember you names are josie-Charlene and Lee-Jason so don't let anyone shorten them' their faces were stony at the v least! Every time I see a hyphenated baby I see those two kids and their grim faces. They would be adults now

AdalindSchade · 24/09/2017 17:53

Angelic in Spain they give children one name from each parent. Or the kids may choose just to use the mother's name or the father's. Just because one generation double barrels surnames doesn't mean the next will do it the same way.

underpaiid · 24/09/2017 17:56

I have a hyphenated first name. It's a 'proper' name though.

There is an over abundance now of the Ellie-May / Alfie-Jay variety.

Still not a PITA for forms ffs. It's my name.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 24/09/2017 17:57

Bloody hate hyphenated names, I once knew a guy who insisted on everyone saying both names because it upset his mum not to, his name was Andrew John he was an accountant and in his 30s, he wouldn't answer you if you just said Andrew.

arethereanyleftatall · 24/09/2017 18:02

Angelic. I agree, I'm not sure who people who go double-barrelled surname have really thought about the future.
'Do you miss Hoskins-bitterbelt take mr smith-Clyde to be you husband'
'I now pronounce you mrs Hoskins-bitter belt-smith-clyde'
When is it going to stop?

user1495490253 · 24/09/2017 18:03

I know an Emma-Leigh. Poor kid. Just go for Emily FGS! I do love the name Annie-Rose though.

x2boys · 24/09/2017 18:13

i dont blame him allthegood how would you like it if someone tried to call you a name that wasent yours my name is hyphenated i was born in 1973 so think sarah-jane[not that but along those lines] i always insist peoople call me my full name its my name why wouldnt i?

Angelicinnocent · 24/09/2017 18:14

Thank you for the info adaline. I've genuinely always wondered but it sounds snarky to ask someone directly.

Threenme · 24/09/2017 18:16

Dd name is hyphenated because the second bit was dgm who is not with me anymore. In fairness it is rarely used but I was so upset she wouldn't meet her I wanted it there properly iyswim!

GirlOnATrainToShite · 24/09/2017 18:24

TBH I find people with hyphenated names who insist on their full name a bit tedious.

I have a long name which is always shortened to something else (think Susanna - Suzy but not) I am never ever called by my full name.

OP posts:
allthegoodusernameshavegone · 24/09/2017 18:29

I too have a long name but not hyphenated, that is constantly shortened, I don't have a problem with it at all.

corythatwas · 24/09/2017 18:29

As Maelstrop says, it's common in Europe. You can also see from old tombstones and censuses that it was common in England in the 19th and 18th centuries. It's just something that didn't happen to be fashionable when you were young.

As for hyphenated surnames, they are the norm in Spanish speaking countries and the next generation manages perfectly well (by taking one half from each side).

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Plainlycrackers · 24/09/2017 18:32

I know a teenage girl who has a hyphenated first name and a hyphenated surname (no she's not Spanish)! She also has a middle name (not hyphenated!). She is known by the shortened version of the first half of her first name... or by the initials of her surname if she is being annoying which is quite often totally bats decision IMHO and I have wondered if it fits on forms as it's 36 characters long without any spaces! Grin

x2boys · 24/09/2017 18:33

But thats your choice OP how would you like it if people thought 'suzy 'was a bit tedious and decieded to call you susanna even though you didnt want them too i have always been called my full hyphernated name and that the way i prefer it i would think you were rude if you called me just one of my names..

TypicallyEnglishMustard · 24/09/2017 18:35

If they're going to take one half of the double barrell from each side, why don't the parents just pick one surname to start with in the first place Confused

I'm a teacher. I can't stand double barrelled surnames, they make lists and labels look so untidy next to the other kids'. (I accept that's my ridiculous issue) Double barrelled first names, I always find the kid just tells you to use just one anyway. Again, the parents may as well not bother as far as I'm concerned.

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