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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which girl's name with my stupid surname?

63 replies

BabCNesbitt · 02/10/2011 15:01

Said stupid surname is 'Mack', and I know it's probably not a fantastic idea to post one's real surname on a message board, but the trouble is that so many female first names (especially two-syllable names ending in 'a') sound vaguely absurd with that surname - like something you'd use to waterproof your roof. With that in mind, this is our shortlist so far:

Elizabeth
Frances
Gretchen
Hannelore
Hester

I like the longer German and English names! Thing is, I'm not crazy about any of these names (although I guess if we gave DD the name, I'd come to love it). All opinions/other suggestions welcome.

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nooka · 03/10/2011 04:40

I think a longer name works well with a snappy sort of surname. Also if you choose something more unusual then she's more likely to be known by her first name alone (I have a very unusual name and usually only use my first name as a consequence). Perhaps something like

Georgina
Penelope
Constance
Miriam
Angelica
Dorothy

saffronwblue · 03/10/2011 04:29

Henrietta? or Gretel?

Offspring · 03/10/2011 03:38

Eloise Mack

NorkyPies · 02/10/2011 20:06

What's wrong with Mack? I like it. How about an alliterative first name - Millie, Myra, Maggie (just examples), that would make her very memorable as an individual.

Original poster
BabCNesbitt · 02/10/2011 19:59

Hocuspontas and Selks, I'm inclined to agree with the 3+ syllable idea (and yes, I spent my whole childhood being called Anorak. Blush)

ZZZenagain, thanks for defending my name :) It's not really that bad, I guess, it just doesn't flow with a lot of first names. If we went for Hannelore, we'd be using the German pronunciation (so lore-uh), so I'll have a look for similar names (I liked the Lieselotte suggestion earlier, too).

OP posts:
MissHonkover · 02/10/2011 19:33

Juliet?

Selks · 02/10/2011 19:04

I think thinking about the rhythm of the whole name is the way to go. Mack is quite a sharp, short sound, so a first name that has perhaps three syllables and a bit of flow and bounce to the sound might help e.g

Isobel Mack (Is-o-bel Mack)
Julia Mack (Ju-li-a Mack)
etc.

hocuspontas · 02/10/2011 18:58

or 4 even Blush

hocuspontas · 02/10/2011 18:57

I think it's a good name too.

Anna Mack sounds a bit like Anorak though.

I think the 3-syllable names go best, like Katherine and Elizabeth.

Yama · 02/10/2011 18:46

I really like the surname Mack.

Anna?

DesertOrchid · 02/10/2011 18:40

I like Gretchen.

There's an actress (in Smallville?) called Allison Mack, which is nice. A.Mack isn't obvious enough to be a problem I don't think.

MrsBuntyCulDeSacWonder · 02/10/2011 18:36

Gretchen is beautiful.

ZZZenAgain · 02/10/2011 17:49

Konstanze Mack if you like German versions of names?

Mack is a fine surname, there is nothing at all wrong with it. Everyone can spell it, it is straight-forward and she can have pretty much any kind of name with it. I think she could have a name ending in a or a German name ending in e (which is then pronounced a as above) if it is 3 syllables long for instance.

Maybe google for German girls names and have a look at a list. There are some very nice ones, but you need to like them and roll them around your tongue

JiltedJohnsJulie · 02/10/2011 17:47

From your list I think I like Gretchen and Elizabeth the best.

How about Adelaide, Luella or Odette?

frutilla · 02/10/2011 17:44

I have a friend with this surname. I guess I can't say her first name, but it was glamorous and sounded good. So I'd go for something bond girly like Talisa or Alyssa...

TheMitfordsMaid · 02/10/2011 17:40

How about Lydia Mack?

dreamfeeder · 02/10/2011 17:33

Francesca Mack?

Stars22 · 02/10/2011 17:29

What about Alexandra?

bruffin · 02/10/2011 16:09

What about a double barrelled name - it might give it more flow

ie sarah-jane
emma-louise

but probably not milly-may

Meteorite · 02/10/2011 15:57

Louisa Mack
Victoria Mack
Katherine Mack
Julia Mack
Rowena Mack
Philippa Mack
Jessica Mack
Georgia Mack
Laura Mack

blinkineck · 02/10/2011 15:53

Lucy Mack sounds nice imo.

Original poster
BabCNesbitt · 02/10/2011 15:48

I do rather like the sound of Lizzie Mack, actually... and I suppose it would give her a 'proper' name for CVs and Nobel prize medals Grin.

Hocuspontas - ha! Don't think I'm sufficiently film starrish to get away with that, whatever surname we used!

OP posts:
Thumbwitch · 02/10/2011 15:47

My first thought was Stevie - suspect strongly it has something to do with Stevie Nicks out of Fleetwood Mac...Blush

LikeACandleButNotQuite · 02/10/2011 15:45

Florence Mack
Charlotte Mack
Ruby Mack
Olivia Mack

All sound good. I love Hester, from your list, but I dont think it sounds great with Mack.

ThatsNotMyBabyBelly · 02/10/2011 15:44

Annalise
Katherine
Verity
Hermione