Are house names naff?

[schmalex]

We're buying a newly built house on an old road where most of the houses have names, not numbers.

It hasn't been officially named/numbered yet and we are trying to decide between it being 32a (which is a bit of a rubbish number) or giving it a name.

Part of me thinks names are twee and silly, but part of me thinks what's the point of calling it 32a if there aren't also numbers next door?

Has anyone seen any non-twee house names to help inspire me?

[Damnautocorrect]

Yes have a name if the others do.
Can't suggest any but go with a name

[Sparrowfarts]

I'd be sorely tempted to go with New House.

[WhatWillSantaBring]

I understood that where a house has a number, it must always keep that number. So No 2 Privet Drive can only become "Dunroamin, 2 Privet Drive". Personally, I think a name and number is a bit naff (unless the house has had a name as well since Victorian times)

So odd that some houses in the street don't have numbers and some don't have names.

If your house has a number, then I would always keep it to aid emergency services.

If you can ditch the number and get a name, then can you think of any names related to where the house was built? e.g. Dairy Cottage (if it was built on a farmyard)? Newt House (if building works were delayed due to the discovery of rare crested newts that had to be rehomed) - that sort of thing.

[edam]

I think names are fine where the house has always been known by a name. Bit daft when someone moves in to number 12 and decides to call it Casa Bevron.

However, schmalex's case is an interesting one, given most houses have names, not numbers. What does the post office say?

(My Mother's house is Gooselands Cottage on the deeds but the fields around it have long since become a road with lots of other houses, so it's now no. 19 - would seem a bit arsey to insist on Gooselands instead of the number.)

[schmalex]

The council says we can call it 32a if we like, or we can give it a name.

The developer tried to call it The Coach House (because it's built on the plot of an old garage!) but there's another house of that name nearby so it's not allowed.

Good point about emergency services santa. I think we'll stick with 32a (it just makes me think of bra sizes!)

[culturemulcher]

I was about to say 'twee!' but in your case I think a name would be the best option, for sure.

Our house has a name and a number and we use both because there is - for some barmy reason - another house with the same address, 1/4 of a mile away (e.g. 6 Spring Lane and another 6 Spring Lane) so we each use our house's name to differentiate the two. It makes for a long address but it avoids miss deliveries.

WhatWill has the right idea, though - it would be good to find something out about the land the house is on and use that as a basis. Although I like 'New House' too.

[wonkylegs]

Our house has a name & a number.
The house is Victorian and originally only had a name but the street was renumbered about 10yrs ago so it was given a number in sequence too.
We generally only use the number as most computer stuff won't use both, although my business address uses 'House Name Studio' the rest of the address as I work from a studio in the garden.
I think a name would be sensible in your case but the number helps to sequence it.
IMO names are only twee if they try too hard, descriptive names are better.

[tywysogesgymraeg]

Names are good if you live in a huge house in it's own grounds, but not if you live in a terraced house in the middle of a long row of houses.

In your case, if all the houses in your street go by names, not numbers, they I would plump for a name too.

[KatoPotato]

haha! Casa Bevron! I loved Brookie!

[50shadesofmeh]

Lol at Casa Bevron

[Sparrowfarts]

Is 32a that useful if no. 32 isn't numbered though?

I was born in my aunt and uncle's house, Fredena. No prizes for guessing their names.

[Idespair]

If it is 32a and most of the other houses are named, I would have the name and the number together to get maximum chance of things getting to you ok. If your house is 32a, I'm assuming there are at least 32 houses so if they are all just named it must be pretty hard to find the house you are looking for without the number. Even if the houses immediately next door are not numbered, are some of them 2/3 doors down or opposite numbered? If so keep number and name.

I think if you live in a street where all the houses are numbered and not named, you look ridiculous giving your house a name on top of the number.

[Editededition]

If most, or even several, other houses around you are named, then it is not at all twee.
Unless you call it Chez Nous or Witzend!!

I do think it pays to avoid calling houses something they are not (and apparently it can be an issue with selling in the future). If it doesn't look faintly cottage'y ....don't call it a Cottage. Or Seaview, if the view is only from the velux in the loft.
We have a local utterly dreadful architect was off in lala landmonstrosity of modern design, in the area. It proudly calls itself "Rivendell"
Just waiting for Hogwarts to pop up, next door

[Editededition]

Also - I would not give it name and number.
Always seems to me that people do that when they give a name as an addition, to a house which is part of a numbered series.
That's not you, so why do it?

[Sparrowfarts]

'Cissie Villa' from A Room With A View has always appealed.

OED, villa, n.: 'Orig., a country mansion or residence... Hence, any residence of a superior or handsome type, or of some architectural pretension, in the suburbs of a town or in a residential district; also, any small better-class dwelling-house, usually one which is detached or semi-detached.The word is frequently employed in the names given to particular houses of this type, as Windsor Villa.'

Does that fit?

In the House Names equivalent of the Baby Names topic, I suspect I'd be told that my house was asking to get bullied at school though.

[FayeKorgasm]

I hope they aren't.

We just have a house name and the village name as our address, no road name or number at all. It makes finding us interesting

[Iwaswatchingthat]

Why not 'The Carriage House'

Same meaning as coach house, but different name.

I think it is lovely and not at all naff.

[namechanger1979]

We have a name only.... However most names are a bit descriptive which helps people find them.... The old stores , white cottage etc. i quite like "new house"for you.... Its what the locals will call it anyway for about the next 20 years!

[specialsubject]

stick with a number. I now live in a house with only a name and am forever spelling it out. And it is a simple, standard name!

[greentshirt]

Whatever you do just make sure it's registered properly with Royal Mail! Lots of people who have trouble with mail delivery do so because they have a vanity/cherished address that they haven't bothered to register and just expect people to 'know'

[Leopoldina]

heh, I was coming over to say that unless you're going to call it Casa Bevron, then stick with the number but I see I've been roundly beaten to it

[Editededition]

Whatever you do just make sure it's registered properly
My local council dealt with the whole thing, advising all and sundry as required.
It was part of the service included with changing the house name (no numbers in this village) from something very strange to something normal and location appropriate.

I am sure they will do the same for new registrations.

[culturemulcher]

sparrowfarts I think in Room With A View Cecil is laughing at the nouveau riche interlopers who've moved into (in his eyes) a vulgar new home and had the pretension to call it 'Cissie Villa'.

So, yup, your house name would get bullied at school (if it went to Harrow)

[MummyBeerest]

Oh you Brits do it so well.

House names don't happen much here in Canada unless it's a heritage home. I love the idea of naming your home!

Reading this, I think if I lived in Britain, everyone would hate me...

[IceCreamForCrow]

My in laws house has a name which is made up of both their names together which is sort of odd I think

Ours had a name when we bought it and whilst I don't use it in the address I haven't the heart to take it down. Stripping it of its name would be .

I think in your case a name would be ok. Just nothing too twee.