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Baby names

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

Original poster

Do these names sound stupid with our surname?

104 replies

SurnameSchmurname · 25/08/2017 15:32

We're starting to compile a girls' name list and coming up against potential problems with our surname, which is W@terhouse.

Sone of our favourites are Flora, Iona and Wren but we're worried they sound a bit silly:

Flora W@terhouse = too horticultural?
Iona W@terhouse = sounds like "I own a..."
Wren W@terhouse = DH thinks this sounds like a birdbath?!

What do you think? Are we overthinking?
(@ is so this doesn't come up on google if we do go with one of these!)

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Original poster
SurnameSchmurname · 25/08/2017 17:00

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Weirdly I'm not wildly keen on Florence, despite the similarity. It's a bit soft and lispy for me I think, plus we know quite a few. Juliet, Clara, Martha, Iris all nice but not for me. Anwen I do like! I also love Mabli from another thread but we are not remotely Welsh - problem?

AyUp "don't stress Mrs W" - ha, love it, thanks. I should get this tattooed somewhere!

OP posts:
Papyrus · 25/08/2017 16:29

Or Isla, staying with the Scottish island theme?

Papyrus · 25/08/2017 16:27

If you Iike Flora, then what about Clara? Similar sound.

I do like Wren, if you're not sure, it could be a middle name?

BrutusMcDogface · 25/08/2017 16:25

Florence Waterhouse sounds good, as per a pp, and obviously similar to flora Smile

chowmeinchick · 25/08/2017 16:22

I own a Waterhouse. Wow, this has made my afternoon 😂

superking · 25/08/2017 16:18

Shame about Iona but yes, it would just sound silly.

Flora is fine I think, wouldn't bat an eyelid.

Wren Waterhouse - I wouldn't think there was anything strange about it at first, but in time I probably would realise something along the lines of your husband's point. Not necessarily a deal breaker if you love it though.

TheVanguardSix · 25/08/2017 16:16

Aurelia Rae Waterhouse

That's my two cents. Wink

flumpybear · 25/08/2017 16:15

Florence?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 25/08/2017 16:14

I love Flora and think it's fine with last name.

Sophronia · 25/08/2017 16:13

I like Flora with the surname but not the other two

Heatherbell1978 · 25/08/2017 16:12

I think you need to keep it simple with such a long and 'big' surname. Something like Kate or Anne etc

SleepingStandingUp · 25/08/2017 16:07

Wren is fine, I think it sounds lovely.

Iona clearly not...

Flora is a little hmmm but not impossible.

Love above idea of

Wren Ophelia Waterhouse

WOW

AyUpMiDuck · 25/08/2017 16:04

Whats wrong with Wren? WW will make a lovely monogram. Middle name of Olivia/Ophelia/Oriana and your daughter will be a WOW! who wouldn't want that?
Iona will always be a funny name IMO. Iona W@terhouse is amusing but not at all bad. You can always stick a middle name in to ease it if you are really bothered. Iona May, Iona Jane, Iona Wren.
I think its important to consider how the name sounds but don't stress Mrs W. However hard you plan and whatever you think, kids will find a way of coming up with weird nicknames often not related to the actual name. My DS has a really odd last name and I was bracing myself for the sniggers, teasing and comments - and Nada. Very puzzling. And another thread on here was worried about son's name said in a sentence in french which was similar to an insult - yet others with same name hadn't had the same experience.

Original poster
SurnameSchmurname · 25/08/2017 15:54

Haha TestTube. We liked Bay for a boy too until we said it aloud. Sounds like a shopping centre or old people's home!

OP posts:
AdaColeman · 25/08/2017 15:54

I don't think any of them work well with your surname.
Like a pp I think most nature names are ruled out, but you will soon find some thing pretty.

??? Juliet, Miranda, ???

pinkyredrose · 25/08/2017 15:52

change your surname?

CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger · 25/08/2017 15:51

I DO think the other 2 are fine - particularly like Wren.

Twistandshout77 · 25/08/2017 15:51

Yes I'm afraid you can't use those names

With your surname I'd avoid anything water based or nature like

Arwin Waterhouse
Iris Waterhouse
Martha Waterhouse?

Original poster
SurnameSchmurname · 25/08/2017 15:51

Don't like Sylvia at all, sorry!

OP posts:
Original poster
SurnameSchmurname · 25/08/2017 15:50

As we feared then for the most part Sad

I definitely agree about Iona (sob - we have a family connection to the island too, it would have been perfect!) but was hoping the other two would be ok.

I think Wren W@terhouse is tongue twistery in a kind of funky way? Clutching at straws?

OP posts:
NapQueen · 25/08/2017 15:49

Hmmm....

What about Sylvia?

thepatchworkcat · 25/08/2017 15:48

I wouldn't use any of them for the reasons you've mentioned.

TestTubeTeen · 25/08/2017 15:47

Wren Waterhouse is a bit of a tongue twister.

Jane, Kate, Amy, Sasha, Elodie, Zoe, all sound fine.

Rose, Distilled or Fizzy, less so.

Christmastree43 · 25/08/2017 15:40

Agree that Iona sounds too much like I-own-a as the surname contains nouns!

Agree Flora Waterhouse is a bit too horticultural.

Wren Waterhouse - your DHs point is funny 😅 I don't see it myself but also don't think the combination sounds right

Agree that an ie/ ee ending would sound better with the surname

SarahJonesS · 25/08/2017 15:39

Actually I don't think any work. Wren at a push if I had to choose.

I adore Iona but it's very hard for it to work with many surnames.