Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

views on double barrelled first names

53 replies

holzyb20 · 27/07/2016 15:59

What's your views on double barrelled first names for a girl a friend of mine has made me question myself by tellin me it's stupid

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
sweetkitty · 27/07/2016 23:12

As the owner of a double barrelled first name I hate it.

Forms don't recognise the hyphen, the hyphen is just a pain in the arse full stop. People don't know what to call you first name second name all bloody sorts.

manicinsomniac · 27/07/2016 23:06

I don't know any grown ups who introduce themselves with both of their first hyphenated names, they just use the first

Really? I do. I know an Anne-Marie, a Carrie-Ann and a Kerry-Ann. They're never anything different.

I have a double barrel but I'm a Rebecca so that's long enough on it's own without my added extra. I used to get it at school occasionally - if I was in trouble, generally!

I like some and dislike others. It depends what it is.

ThursdayLastWeek · 27/07/2016 21:07

On paper, I don't like them so much.
But actually, in real life, I barely notice once they've been introduced.

BackforGood · 27/07/2016 21:05

That does, indeed sound like a bell, in an aviary.

Personally I don't really like double barrelled names, but that's personal opinion I suppose. I can't think of a single teen / adult who hasn't dropped the 2nd part though, as soon as they can make their own decision, which says a lot to me.

Pauperback · 27/07/2016 21:04

Since you asked, double-barrelled first names are usually associated with the bottom end of the social class structure in this country - if that matters to you.

Personally, I don't like them because they sound both indecisive and a bit overdone, like someone who can't decide between necklaces and ends up wearing them both, even though they clash.

I quite like Avery on its own.

Ni58 · 27/07/2016 21:02

I like it x

villainousbroodmare · 27/07/2016 20:58

Skanger, imo. Sorry.
Belle is fine on its own.
Averie, or even Avarie, but dear God, don't hammer Belle onto the end of it.

florascotianew · 27/07/2016 20:53

OP - A afraid that I missed the bit in your earlier post about a miscarriage. Am so very sorry to hear that and most certainly did not want to cause offence by my earlier comments re possible names. Perhaps I should have phrased them more gently.
All the best.

shartsi · 27/07/2016 20:51

I prefer Everly to ava-leigh

florascotianew · 27/07/2016 20:44

Avery (as mentioned above) is a version of a well-established male name. The 'b' in Alberich becomes a 'v' (the two sounds are very similar) and the final 'ich' - which can sound a bit like 'ih' - becomes 'ee', spelled 'ey'. So Alberich becomes Avery. [http://www.behindthename.com/name/alberich/tree]]

Changing the middle 'e' to an 'a' does not really make it a new name or a feminine one. Arguably, it also changes the meaning from 'elf counsel' to, erm, nothing.

Avarie-Belle is a bit like 'Robart-Belle' or 'Wulliam-Belle'- a well known male name mangled and mixed with a very feminine diminutive.

eyebrowsonfleek · 27/07/2016 20:27

notamummy10- OP has chosen Avarie not Averie . Is the "a" version also a known variant?

Sophronia · 27/07/2016 20:15

Agree it sounds like a bell in an aviary.

BadToTheBone · 27/07/2016 20:14

Double-barrelled first names are so hillbilly. Is your surname Clampet or Walton?

notamummy10 · 27/07/2016 19:43

Averie is the other way you can spell Avery.

But Dani isn't the first person to spell it the way she has and she certainly won't be the last!

buffalogrumble · 27/07/2016 19:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

septembersunshine · 27/07/2016 19:15

No from me. Just for all the reasons above.

It's a really odd name. Averie is just weird on it's own (I'm thinking bird cage) but added to Belle it's just a terrible mess. Can you imagine being called this? I would call myself Belle or Elle is my parents gave this to me.

redhat · 27/07/2016 19:05

Averie isn't a name. It therefore looks silly anyway. But then if a Z list celebrity has also used that same made up name it looks like you're copying/obsessed by her.

I'm afraid I hate double barrelled first names anyway and always think of them being pronounced in a US southern states accent.

straightouttacompton · 27/07/2016 18:59

Sorry but they sound awful to me. Fortunately you haven't gone for the - Mae or - Leigh but it's still not great.

And everyone always refers to the children as the first parts of their names anyway.

venys · 27/07/2016 18:49

The names on their own are fine - but not double barrelled. In fact I dislike dB names - feels a bit 80s. But as others said, if you like it, go for it.

RiverTam · 27/07/2016 18:46

Are you actually pregnant?

MephistoMarley · 27/07/2016 18:45

Really hate them, and Averie-Belle is especially awful. Averie isn't a name and anything-Belle is twee as fuck.

Pinklily1 · 27/07/2016 18:44

I'm not a massive fan and would associate the name now with the Tracey Beaker lady.

florascotianew · 27/07/2016 18:42

Avery as a name is a version of Alberich/Alfred (boys' names that mean 'elf counsel').
Averie-Belle is rather like calling your child a mixture of a misspelled boy's name combined with a cutesie and over-used female suffix.

Each to their own, of course, but why??

FellOutOfBed2wice · 27/07/2016 18:41

My Mum has a double barrelled name and hates it. Is very embarrassed by its tweeness and only ever uses the first half.

GoldPlatedBacon · 27/07/2016 18:32

Amazing-Leigh Grin