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Baby names

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

Original poster

Help with naming worry please

58 replies

shoopastry · 14/02/2013 11:27

DD arrived last month and we decided to call her Beatrice, however our surname is four letters and begins with 'B' and ends with 'all' and I'm starting to have second thoughts about this combination.

We have not registered her yet so we have time to change our minds and would really like some constructive advice. How does it sound to you? Would her name result in teasing? I would really appreciate honest opinions as I'm lying awake worrying about this! What would you do?

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Sashapineapple · 16/02/2013 21:35

Gingerbread, good on him. I'm sure his kids will thank him in years to come.

GingerbreadGretel · 16/02/2013 20:31

Yes, my dad's colleague changed by deed poll from Dick to Dixon - problem solved. Refused to pass it on to his kids.

Sashapineapple · 16/02/2013 20:23

rockinhippy. Shock Blue & Bea. Why, just why. Although tbh I can't understand why people choose to keep that name when deedpoll is so easy and cheap.

rockinhippy · 16/02/2013 19:46

Sorry I'm another that thinks your having sleepless nights for a good reason - it's a bad name choice with your surname I'm afraid :( she will forever be known as beeble, beatable, bibible etc etc - it would be a lovely middle name though - ie Catherine Beatrice Ball nn Katie Ball etc etc

I feel for you though as my favourite girls name was a complete no no with our surname too, thankfully it never felt right for DD anyway

Must be something with the surname Dick - we also know Dicks with DCs with that surname - Blue Dick & Bea Dick :(

strawberrypenguin · 16/02/2013 19:39

Personally I think it's fine but then my DS has an alliterative name he's William and our surname begins with W (and is fairly common) and I love it. We picked his name because we loved it but actually it has the advantage of making him memorable too because people remember his name.

Sashapineapple · 16/02/2013 19:22

Just googled and found this is a common problem with your surname. This a list someone suggested on another forum, it may be useful to you.

Adelina
Lara
Leandra
Elise-Marie
Madeline
Felicity
Maxine
Miranda
Rosalie
Ginevra
Estelle
Emily Maeve
Catherine
Lucinda
Clarissa
Cassie (Cassandra )
Audrey
Audriana
Julianna
Sophia
Helena
Lillian
Anneliese
Imogen
Minella
Noelle
Francesca
Alyssa
Alicia
Celestia
Amanda (Amandina )
Anne-Marie
Rosanna Diane
Abigail
Georgina
Sophia
Hannah
Nadine
Jodie

DomesticCEO · 16/02/2013 19:18

Poor kid, sasha.

Sashapineapple · 16/02/2013 19:09

It wasn't even like they didn't know. Their friends (quite a few, including BIL) pointed it out to them but they just didn't care Confused

DomesticCEO · 16/02/2013 18:56

whatyoulookinat, I think the poster after you shows the exact reason why you shouldn't just stick with a name "whatever the surname"! Shock

Names and surnames get used a lot together - anyone who thinks that ignoring this fact is not going to lead to a lifetime of sniggering about your child's name is deluded!

Sashapineapple · 16/02/2013 18:51

BabyRoger at least it wasn't as bad as BIL friend that insisted on naming their DS Issac because they just loved the name so much.. Their surname is Dick!! Seriously. It's just cruel to do that to a child.

whatyoulookinat · 16/02/2013 18:26

Beatrice is a lovely proper name whatever the surname. Stick with it.

BabyRoger · 16/02/2013 18:22

Domestic another Richard Head. Shock Now that is a stupid name!

Beatrice B all is not!

Viviennemary · 16/02/2013 17:52

I think if you want to change it now is the time. Why not ask around family and friends. I don't mind Beatrice but certainly don't love it. Do you feel she's a Beatrice or not. I think when a baby is tiny it does seem odd when people call them by their name. It did to me in any case. Other names

Rosalind
Rosalie
Violet
Pandora
Iris

Clary · 16/02/2013 17:47

I know a Lizzie Ball and an Alice Ball, both fine IMO and on the same lines as Beatrice (in terms of style of name etc).

I agree, B Ball sounds pretty silly, sorry it is the alliteration that's the issue. But then I am not a big fan of aliteration.

Floralnomad · 16/02/2013 16:58

I agree , without the alliterative first name it is not a comical surname . You make it comical with the choice of first name. On the subject of comical names I did my nurse training with a girl called Teresa Green , what were they thinking .

DomesticCEO · 16/02/2013 16:31

BabyRoger, sorry!!

DomesticCEO · 16/02/2013 16:31

BabyBrother, my brothers' best friend's name at school was Richard Head!

AKissIsNotAContract · 16/02/2013 16:27

I remember your threads from before. I thought you had decided on Jessica?

seeker · 16/02/2013 16:20

"I don't agree it's a comical surname anyway - Zoe Ball for instance, you don't snigger at that do you?"

Umm Blush

seeker · 16/02/2013 16:19

Scented- the name I couldn't use was Constance......

PuppyMonkey · 16/02/2013 16:19

Oh dear I think I would change it while I had the chance. I don't agree it's a comical surname anyway - Zoe Ball for instance, you don't snigger at that do you? It's definitely the alliteration that kills it, would be the same with Belinda or Barry. Sounds daft.

GingerbreadGretel · 16/02/2013 16:10

Ed Balls' kids all have Cooper as a surname.

GingerbreadGretel · 16/02/2013 16:08

What was your maiden name? Maybe this is a sign the whole family should use that as a surname instead?

ScentedNappyHag · 16/02/2013 16:03

Seeker- I have a surname with similar implications, I wonder if its the same one?!

ScentedNappyHag · 16/02/2013 16:02

My DD has an alliterative B name too, I think it's wonderful- like a superhero's alter ego Grin if you love it, use it.