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Baby names

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

Original poster

Would you use a surname as a first name of your surname can also be used as a first name?

91 replies

ineedamoreadultieradult · 05/09/2017 08:59

If your surname was a name that gets used as a first name such as Harrison or Spencer etc would you use another surname as a first name or would that be a bit odd. So for example Taylor Harrison or Spencer Carter?

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SasBel · 05/09/2017 12:52

My sister gave her DS our surname as his first name, and then DP's surname. Still think it is a bit weird, but it suits him!

BenLui · 05/09/2017 12:34

It's actually not that uncommon in Scotland where there is, in some families, a tradition of giving a family surname as a first name.

As far as I can see it's occasionally confusing but not that big a deal.

StyleCommander · 05/09/2017 12:27

I'd feel sorry for my kids If I did! Boardman Boardman! LMAO! I wasn't blessed with the best surnames (birth and adoptive, God must have really had it in for me!)

SumAndSubstance · 05/09/2017 10:10

I've come across a few of these in my time (teacher!) and I must admit my brain does struggle with them: "is that kid Spencer Taylor or Taylor Spencer?" However, this may well just be my issue!

orangemonkeysocks · 05/09/2017 09:26

We did this! Our surname is a popular boy's firstname and DS2's firstname is a very unusual name that is often a surname. Wouldn't change it for the world. Only place that gets mixed up is the doctor's surgery! Everyone else knows us and it's never been an issue.

NC4now · 05/09/2017 09:19

But then, there are people with surnames like James and Adam. Don't they have the same problem in reverse?

elevenclips · 05/09/2017 09:16

I'd avoid it like the plague

MsRight · 05/09/2017 09:16

I know someone called Lucas Lewis and always get his names the wrong way round.

coffeeandrainbows · 05/09/2017 09:12

Ha we have a first name first name-possible first name (think like harrison taylor-walker) and have sometimes had dc referred to as sawyer walker completely leaving out the first name Grin I think it's not that often that you really get referred to by your full name anyways so doesn't really matter if you love the name. Maybe add in an obvious first name as a middle to break up the sound?

DrumrollCheese · 05/09/2017 09:06

Yes.
Myself and DP both have surnames which are also common first names, mine is a very female name and DP's is very male.
DS has a first name which is both a surname and first name, along the lines of James, Joseph. He has both our surnames.
To be even more awkward his middle name is a surname.

Original poster
ineedamoreadultieradult · 05/09/2017 09:06

Ah X post with mumsiedarling yes a shortened form of the first name would make it seem less surnamey.

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Jedbartletforpresident · 05/09/2017 09:04

Hmm - both those examples don't sound too bad to me, but I knew a guy once called Chris George who was forever known as "the boy with two first names" so maybe it would be a problem!

Original poster
ineedamoreadultieradult · 05/09/2017 09:04

That was my thoughts. DH thinks it would be fine but I was thinking it just sounds like you are referring to them by a double barrelled surname.

OP posts:
mumsiedarlingrevolta · 05/09/2017 09:03

My DS has one of the above names as his first name and our surname is a very common boys name.
It's absolutely fine.
On the very odd occasion (perhaps handful) in his 19 years we've had to correct someone but as he goes by a shortened version of his first name its only at places like GP or somewhere where they are reading name off a list.
It definitely wouldn't stop me using a name!

Sandsnake · 05/09/2017 09:03

I wouldn't, no. To me, both of the examples you've given sound a bit like an Accountancy or Solicitors firm...

EvilDoctorBallerinaDuckKeidis · 05/09/2017 09:02

No, I could see that being a bit confusing, he'd spend his whole life correcting people.

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