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Baby names

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

ADVICE ON THE SURNAME...

36 replies

FirstTimeMumma · 13/08/2012 19:31

Hi all.

Im 34+5 and haven't been with babies daddy since the beginning, although he has been to scans but that's about it. He very rarely asks anything about the pregnancy, and has had fun enjoying his life to the full every weekend while i'm going through all this on my own. He even went a "lads" holiday for a fortnight in June. I hate to constantly moan about him as he is no longer anything to do with me therefore i cannot dictate how he lives his life but i can't help it! This was an unplanned pregnancy( as you can probably tell ) , and i have huge trust issues with him and his family.

Problem is, i really don't feel comfortable with the baby having his families name. After all, she will be living with me and i don't feel like he has earned it? Am i being silly? His second name is Higgins, and mine is Hamilton.. So i was thinking about having Higgins-Hamilton?

I hate confrontation, and his family are known for being very confrontational and i see them causing me a lot of problems in the future. To be fair, i have said from the beginning that she can have his second name, so i now feel as though i can't go back on this but it really does upset me as i have gave up everything for my daughter and he hasn't gave up a thing.

What do you all think i should do?

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Eggward · 13/08/2012 20:07

Give her your surname. You can add his later if you want, but he can stop you changing it from his if you start out like that.

McPhee · 13/08/2012 20:05

My Dd has my surname.

I don't live with her dad, so it seemed logical. Especially as I'm the one that will be dealing with official things. I also wanted her to 'belong' IUKWIM.

Thankfully Dp understood my reasoning, and I've told that if if one day he makes a commitment to me, we can talk about changing it.

Beamur · 13/08/2012 20:03

I do find it a bit odd sometimes when I have to give both of our names and they are different. My reasoning for our choice was more about the children (DD has half brothers/sisters) having the same name so they would feel more like a family.
Could you offer him the choice of middle name, or even use his surname as a middle name?

LittleWhiteWolf · 13/08/2012 20:00

If you are not married (I'm guessing you are not) I think he will have to come along to your DDs registration in order to be named on the birth certificate.

LittleWhiteWolf · 13/08/2012 19:59

I wouldn't even mention it. If he does, just say "she will be having my name."

FirstTimeMumma · 13/08/2012 19:59

apologies Effingwotsits didn't see your post.

I assume he will be coming to register the birth, he has said the full way through he wants to be involved and i have given him oppertunity to do so, but DD isn't here yet so don't know how things will pan out when she arrives... I know this will cause a huge argument but it's what i really want as i will be doing most of the work even if he is involved. Thankyou Beamur Effingwotsits and VolAuVent for your advice!!

OP posts:
VolAuVent · 13/08/2012 19:52

Just use your own surname.

Beamur · 13/08/2012 19:49

Will he be coming with you to register the name?

I'm not married to DD's father but she does have his surname, but if we had been in a relationship like yours, then I would have probably simply registered her with my surname.

FirstTimeMumma · 13/08/2012 19:46

Thankyou Terracotta. How would you go about doing this, should i wait till baby is here to bring it up again? I just don't see the point in her having his name if we are not together.

OP posts:
effingwotsits · 13/08/2012 19:44

I wouldn't give the baby daddy's last name.

I had my mothers name as was only natural as she was the one bringing me up.

TerracottaPie · 13/08/2012 19:35

I would give the baby your surname only.

No matter what his family may be like or what you may have said before now.