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Baby names

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Original poster

Is it ever ok to hyphenate?

36 replies

MeantToStopAtTwo · 29/05/2011 10:27

Are there any acceptable hyphenated names? Or are hyphens always a no-no?

How about Marie-Claire?

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babybear5 · 29/05/2011 16:58

all four of my girls have hyphenated names and not one of them is a country and western or foreign name. Of course i am biast but i like them..eg my youngest Karla-Linzi. My little lad's name is not hyphenated tho as i dont think it works for boys

JamieAgain · 29/05/2011 16:52

Not IMO

oohlaalaa · 29/05/2011 16:10

I like them, especially Sally-Ann, Anne-Marie, Mary-Lou, and Katie-Ann.

I also like Marie-Claire, but prefer Claire-Marie.

I have previously been told by mumsnet jury that they are rather naff though.

Youcantaffordme · 29/05/2011 14:09

I think it's often a Catholic traditional thing, since it usually involves a version of Mary - even with boys as you get Jean-Marie. Of course Jean is almost always hyphenated with another name in France: Jean-Claude, Jean-Paul etc. So I do see it as "respectable" with certain names, but not when it seems random.

ManicAnnie · 29/05/2011 13:55

I like Anna-Maria, Maria-Luisa etc. The Spanish and Italian usage.

Otherwise hyphenated names all tend to have the 'Somthing-Mae' effect on me.

squeak2392 · 29/05/2011 13:33

I don't mind them on established names, as have been mentioned here, but I do think they're unnecessary. I have Mary Jane on my list, without the hyphen, and I would have thought that Mary Jane is such a well known name that anyone reading it would assume the two were together.
I don't think the same works for Marie Claire (maybe just because I think they work well on a first name, middle name basis thoguh), but you still don't need a hyphen.

However, some hyphen names do sound very country-and-western, and should be avoided, imo.

P.S. Marie Claire just makes me think of the magazine, and I don't even read it.

sasamaxx · 29/05/2011 10:35

I think they are fine as long as they don't sound too country and western, so Anne-Marie or Marie-Claire or Marie-Anne are fine but Sammy-Jo or Sue-Ellen are definitely not

Cattleprod · 29/05/2011 10:34

The hyphen is unnecessary imo - just call her Marie Claire.

meditrina · 29/05/2011 10:32

I have to say it's not something I'd go for, but I do think there are some names which have become well established, like Mary-Rose, Anne-Marie, Mary-Lou and Marie-Claire. There is also a set of American names, like Billie-Jo or Mary-Jo.

It doesn't really work for boys, with the possible exception of John-Paul.

Hassled · 29/05/2011 10:29

I think no.
Mare-Claire is a) French and b) a magazine.

bigbadbarry · 29/05/2011 10:28

My opinion is that a hyphen between two separate names is ok is a bit country and western: Marie-Claire, Ann-Marie, Jo-Beth, Suzy-Lou. Hyphens between syllables is all wrong.

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