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We can't choose - can you? Surname Help

28 replies

tiptopchanged · 15/01/2012 22:54

I have name changed for this.

Both me and DH are equally attached to our surnames.
Both are very unusual.
DH comes from a big family, while my name (for my family) dies with me.

We can't decide. We both agree that if one was very 'normal' we would chose the other but as they aren't ...

Help!

Bizuayehu
OR
Pihlajama

OP posts:
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RillaBlythe · 21/01/2012 15:17

I would double barrel.

Or I'd have your surname.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 21/01/2012 08:39

My DD has my name as one of her names. I don't use my DHs name but we agreed that she would.
She's already told me that she will continue to use her four names when she gets married but double barrel with her DPs name to give her five.

Janey1387 · 21/01/2012 08:23

You could double barrel but only use it for official documents etc. and then either surname for everyday use , that's what we do because my parents couldn't decide either! My mother has a long Dutch surname and my father a short English one , officially its double barrelled but since I already have a long name plus a middle name I only use my nickname and the last bit of my surname for everyday use . I'm not going to out myself lol but think something like Jennifer Adelaide van der Heever-Smith , and then go by Jen Smith. That way the wifes surname doesn't die out but you also don't have to write it all out the whole time . the only things with my full name on are my passport and my bank accounts , even at work I'm just known by the short version of my name .

lottiegb · 19/01/2012 13:45

Use one as a middle name, probably yours as surname if it's more 'at risk'.

I'd avoid double-barrelling too, as quite a mouthful and, what happens when two DB children then have offspring? Fine if everyone's using the Spanish system and knows which to drop but we don't.

Sannebanana · 17/01/2012 20:35

One of my middle names is my mother's maiden name, my parents had the same problem. Could that work as a compromise (not saying it has to be your surname that's the middle name, it could be DPs :) )

Monstrosity · 17/01/2012 18:56

I love Bizujama! It's lovely that both names would be in there but it's unique to your family.

penguininpink · 16/01/2012 21:05

Is Pihlajama a Finnish/Estonian name?
I probably wouldn't double barrell, it would be way too confusing to spell I imagine, although you'll have to spell either of those names anyway so not sure if it would be that much of a problem.
I like the idea of combining the names though, but would you feel any connection to the new surname?

ZhenThereWereTwo · 16/01/2012 18:25

Bizuayehu for a middle name (I believe this is an ethiopian name meaning I have seen a lot or something similar)

Pihlajama for surname

I luckily have a brother who is carrying on my maiden name, but if I didn't this is what I would have done. May still add my surname as middle name if we ever have a boy (my maiden name suits a boy).

nailak · 16/01/2012 18:13

A lot of Sikh and Bengali families have one surname for girls and another for boys, it is not that complicated, but if your name is dying out perhaps yours for boys and dhs for girls

minipie · 16/01/2012 18:08

I am not normally a fan of the "combine the names" approach but I think Bizujama would be great!

The other option is that you toss a coin for it - AND whoever loses, gets more sway on the choice of first name, since they've lost out on the surname.

sethkillsyou · 16/01/2012 13:25

I like Valar's suggestion

Bizujama
or
Bizuajama

FaithHopeAndKevin · 16/01/2012 13:16

I'd use his as a middle name and yours as surname. Or vice versa. Not that that's much help to you Confused

DeeCrepitude · 16/01/2012 13:14

Double-barrelling would be quite unwieldy I think.

I guess I would stick with my husband's name but then I am very traditional like that.

shouldnotbehere · 16/01/2012 13:02

I would not double barrel.

I have a very unusual surname, which I love, but DH would not hear of DC having my surname. He's very traditional. I have brothers and cousins to continue the name.

Double barreling was just cruel, our names are chalk and cheese. Think Armenian name mixed with Northern English surname (on the lines of Braithwaite) - it doesn't work.

CheerfulYank · 16/01/2012 02:12

Double barrel or go with yours as it will die out.

nooka · 16/01/2012 02:02

We had friends who developed a new surname inspired by their surnames for their child. Its quite cool that you can make up a new surname.

With such long and complicated surnames I think double barreling would be a bit unkind, although they are both rather fantastic :)

OptiMumPrime · 16/01/2012 00:38

Agree with Valar. And it's slightly easier to spell than the originals.

TheCrunchUnderfoot · 16/01/2012 00:35

Yours of course, otherwise it will die out!!

Can't believe that you would do it any other way, that seems such a good reason. Yours as the surname, with his as a second middle name so it's in there (if he feels strongly about it).

FriggFRIGG · 15/01/2012 23:17

I would double barrel ( in fact,I have)
but if you really don't want to,I'd choose one to use as a middle name,and the other (maybe yours as it will die out otherwise) as the surname.

HTH

ValarMorghulis · 15/01/2012 23:10

Bizujama

mix of the both.

That way neither wins or loses.

Fo0ffyShmo0ffer · 15/01/2012 23:07

You could use on as a middle name. I've seen that done a few times before and bearing in mind the middle name is rarely used it would be legally documented on the birth certificate but just not every day use.

tiptopchanged · 15/01/2012 23:04

Wouldn't having DCs with (possibly) different surnames be confusing?

OP posts:
Plonker · 15/01/2012 23:03

neither

Plonker · 15/01/2012 23:02

I would definitely double barrell them.

But if that's really not an option, and given that niether of you are prepared to give your names up, then I would toss a coin.

Both are fab (and would still sound fab double-barrelled)

landphil · 15/01/2012 23:00

Boys get his girls get yours