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Baby names

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

Original poster

I think we're going to ignore the surname issue. Are we mean?

117 replies

LoopyLupo · 20/08/2013 07:43

Our surname rhymes with (and has the same number of letter as) pea but starts with a 'L'.

I am pg with dc3. We have two dds and I haven't used my favourite girls name with them because of the surname issue. The name is Rosa. So when said together it can be confused as one name.

Dh is all for throwing caution to the wind and saying the surname issue will be a minor one. He has also fallen in love with the name.

This is our last baby and will be the last chance to use it.

What do you think?

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Leopoldina · 20/08/2013 18:55

Bryan Adams' second daughter is called Lula Rosylee because she was born at tea time (the Lula is from Be-Bop-a-Lula). His first daughter was also named in tribute to when she was born - Mirabella Bunny (Easter baby)

Bowlersarm · 20/08/2013 18:48

I wouldn't.

But I might be guilty of over thinking it.

I still wouldn't though.

fruitpastille · 20/08/2013 18:37

I also know an emma lee and it's fine. Rosa wss top of my list but dh wss not keen. Gypsy or tea did not occur to me. Go for it.

AngelaOxford · 20/08/2013 17:56

What about Rosamund, if you still want to use Rosa? Rosamund Lee.

I adore the name about some people find it too harsh in comparison to Rosalind, for example.

wickeddevil · 20/08/2013 17:51

She could always try the 007 approach. The names Lee. Rosa Lee Grin

AltogetherAndrews · 20/08/2013 17:45

I think Rosa goes with the surname better than Charlotte, which sounds really awkward.

wickeddevil · 20/08/2013 17:38

Suggestion I heard, possibly on mumsnet, was to try putting Dr in front of the whole name to test whether it works as a proper grown up name. Using this test - I have to say your name works for me - what do you and DH think?

lifesgreatquestions · 20/08/2013 17:35

I think Rosa Lee is lovely! I don't get the gypsy part.

TheContrastOfWhiteOnWhite · 20/08/2013 17:31

I think Rosalie is fine, it's the Rosa Lee that would make the connection in people's minds. You say "My name is Rosalie Smith", that sounds rather different to someone introducing themselves as "Hi, I'm Rosa Lee", when I'm guessing a lot of adults would be mentally adding 'Gypsy'.

Mckayz · 20/08/2013 17:05

As I said earlier I have a Rosalie and have never heard of the gyspy and I don't get the tea thing either.

Maybe I am too young or in the wrong part of the country.

eurochick · 20/08/2013 17:00

I'd immediately think gypsy. Why would you do this to your child? Rhyming slang would be the second thing that popped into my head (I am not a cockney).

MrsMongoose · 20/08/2013 16:55

I know an Emma Lee and tbh it's awkward for her. Teased at school, and when introducing herself, she constantly gets 'Emily what?'

Original poster
LoopyLupo · 20/08/2013 12:52

I think we consider it an issue as we named dd1 without considering the surname.

Her name is 24 on the ONS list. Her first name + surname doesn't even make a 'real' first name yet people still ask us what her surname is when we say both names together.

So now we have adapted how we say her name. I say it with a long pause in between names when asked. Dh takes a different approach, he says just her first name and then waits to be asked for her surname.

Its not been that big a deal as I think if people are stupid enough to think we would call our daughter a completely made up, unheard of name, then its their issue not ours.

The difference with Rosa is that it actually does make a real name; Rosalie.

OP posts:
ThePortlyPinUp · 20/08/2013 12:47

My dd4's first part of her name (she has the mumsnet pet hate of a hyphen) rhymes with her surname, it's no big deal.

noddyholder · 20/08/2013 12:44

I think its fine. I can imagine someone introducing themselves as Rosa Lee and getting that its 2 names! MN over thinks names all teh time Suit yourself Smile not other people

millymae · 20/08/2013 12:42

I must come from a different planet to many of you as I really can't see there being a problem with the name Rosa Lea. The vast majority of her peers will never have heard or care about Gypsy Rose Lee and the name Rosalie is not exactly common so I don't see there being an issue with her having to explain that her first name is Rosa and her second name Lea. Sometimes I think we can overthink things like this. IMHO Rosa is lovely and goes perfectly well with your surname. If you like it don't be put off.

TheContrastOfWhiteOnWhite · 20/08/2013 12:12

No, probably not. Sorry!

Honestly, I massively feel your pain. I have a rubbish surname for ruling out other names.

Original poster
LoopyLupo · 20/08/2013 12:11

I don't think links like that help Wink

OP posts:
TheContrastOfWhiteOnWhite · 20/08/2013 12:09

Rose Lee.

Am Shock that her mum re-named her because she wanted to give the name to her sister. That puts things you see on here in perspective.

Mwirren · 20/08/2013 11:06

I think it's a bit like Annette Curtain. Would you {being objective with a different name} use Annette if your sur name was Curtain?? I think it's about the same.

I know a family with the sur name Byrne who named their son William, and she did think about the potential for willy burn and hmmd and hwwd over it and yet Shock still decided that actually it was ok, it would be fine. So I think people can lose their objectivity.

TheOneAndOnlyFell · 20/08/2013 11:03

Rosie L = rhyming slang for cup of tea

Gypsy Rose L - gypsy woman famous for erm..something or other.

oscarwilde · 20/08/2013 10:57

Is it rhyming slang or something? Not getting the tea/Gypsy Rose Lee thing at all....
Unless you live in East London I can't see it being an issue.
Rosa is lovely. I suspect that most people will be lazy and just call her Ros or Rose though, especially at school. Will that bug you?

TobyLerone · 20/08/2013 10:06

Oh, it's a rarity that people don't have to spell/explain their names nowadays.

I have a perfectly normal first name. And a perfectly normal last name, for that matter. I still have to spell both every time.

My maiden name was one of those which can be spelled with or without an 'e' on the end. I had to spell that since I was a child.

I am currently between last names, having recently got married. So I have to explain that, too.

It's perfectly normal. So Rosa Lee will be no more annoying than Jane Smyth.

TheContrastOfWhiteOnWhite · 20/08/2013 10:05

Yes, sorry. I would think cup of tea and/or gypsy.

I speak as someone who had to can many names because of our surname, so I feel your pain.

OneLittleToddleTerror · 20/08/2013 10:01

I don't think it's a bully target name. But she'll get sick of explaining to people that her first name is Rosa, and her surname is Lee. Most people would just think she has a hyphenated first name called Rosa-lee. It can get very annoying. DH hated his name because of it. His parents picked two one syllable names, and he hated how rapper it sounds. And if in any place he needs to use his full name, everyone automatically hyphenates it.