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Baby names

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Original poster

How important is it that first names goes with surname?

18 replies

eth37 · 28/10/2010 13:57

After much, much heated discussion, the only name DH and I can agree on for DS2 is Max. Which we both love, but had ruled out early on, because our surname begins with M, and is not unlike Mosley. As in Max Mosley the horrid nazi prostitute man. Which is not ideal. My Q is, does it really matter? I am assuming not many of DS2's will have heard of him, just our friends. WIll everyone be laughing behind our back? (I am paranoid about what people think, clearly!)

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KERALA1 · 28/10/2010 21:10

Also in the generation your child will be in even fewer people will make the association. I did because I have just read a book about the Mitford sisters. It might cross my mind the first time I heard the name but I wouldnt comment on it and once you get to know the child they become that name and any vague associations fall away. On balance I would go for it - Max is a great name.

cece · 28/10/2010 18:55

Sorry I misread your OP!

I'll get my coat...

Bue · 28/10/2010 18:22

If it's just Max Mo---- and doesn't actually sound like Mosely, then I really can't see an issue. Max Morris? Max Mossman? Totally fine!

Original poster
eth37 · 28/10/2010 18:12

FakePlasticTrees No, it's not really that similar, just when you put Max in front of it I worried it might make people think of it. It begins with M O but the rest is totally different.

OP posts:
FakePlasticTrees · 28/10/2010 18:09

Well, if your name is like Mosely but not, then it's not a problem, as your DS will just have to say "no, not Mosely it's Mxxxx". If you have a surname that sounds a bit like another one, you'll have that problem regardless of your first name choice.

Original poster
eth37 · 28/10/2010 18:09

Cece I wouldn't actually be naming him after a Nazi - I think that is a bit extreme! I just like the name Max and our surname begins with M!

I actually think, aside from the Mosley reference, the names sounds nice with our surname, I was just worried a lot of people would have heard of Max Mosley and snigger at the similarity.

But, on here it seems not many people have heard of him for it to be too much of an issue. And, as others have said, you can't account for some idiot / famous person rocking up in the next few years with a similar name.

OP posts:
RockBat · 28/10/2010 17:59

LOL, it's a bugger isn't it. I used to see Ronnie Birtles on Grange Hill and think Ronnie was going to be the name of one of my daughters. I thought it was such a cool nickname. 30 million men in the country and I pick the one that rules that out [hhmm] [hgrin]

thisisyesterday · 28/10/2010 16:33

i must admit that until i googled him i hadn't actually heard of the nazi sex shenanigans

i knew of him tho

thisisyesterday · 28/10/2010 16:32

RockBat... i have the exact same issue!!!

runningrach · 28/10/2010 16:02

Mosley isn't a nice character but he isn't exactly Hitler. As someone mentioned it was his father Oswald who was the real t**t and not that many people remember him. Mosley is old and won't be around for much longer then he will be long forgotten. So yes as long is your name isn't actually Mosley then it's fine.

There is only do much you do anyway, you can't legislate against someone with the same name as you/your dc become infamous for something really unpleasant in future

DinosaurRumpus · 28/10/2010 14:49

I think it's really important that the first name and surname go well, sound nice and don't have any peculiar associations.

When they get to school, their first name and surname together is how they will be known - It will appear on the register, in newsletters, on certificates, on sports fixture lists etc. It will be called out in assembly, on prize day etc.

If you have any doubts, I'd choose something else..

RockBat · 28/10/2010 14:42

Depends. The name going with the surname is nice but not a deal breaker.

The name being the same as a well known person is a different issue. My surname is the same as the loudmouthed family of mutants in Eastenders which is really annoying because I love Samantha, Veronica (Ronnie) and William (Billy) but can only use them if I divorce DH.

Blu · 28/10/2010 14:37

If your name is NOT Mosely, then it's fine!

5DollarShake · 28/10/2010 14:37

Your questions isn't so much whether the first name goes with the surname, but is the combo of names too reminiscent of an already known person?

I personally probably wouldn't go with it. I guess it just depends how much it would bother you if every other person, or even every 5th person made some reference to Mosley.

For what it's worth, he's not an actual Nazi himself, he likes a bit of Nazi role play. His Dad's the fascist.

thisisyesterday · 28/10/2010 14:36

i thought he sued NOTW because it wasn't actually true?
although, who knows?

hmmm

tough one. i think if it reminds you of it though then you shouldn't do it. cos you will always be thiniking of it

cece · 28/10/2010 14:31

People will talk/laugh behind your back but it depends if that would bother you.

Personally I wouldn't name my ds after a Nazi.

4andnotout · 28/10/2010 14:31

My dd4's first name rhymes with her surname which we got some flack about initially but it's a rarity that anyone use her first name and surname together.
I see no problem with your name choice at all :)

BuntyPenfold · 28/10/2010 14:24

Never heard of the guy.