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Baby names

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Original poster

Why do people double barrel first names?

137 replies

FlawlessFuckup · 27/01/2018 22:29

Inspired by the ‘somebody explain Nando’s to me’ thread to find answers to my own personal mysteries.

I just don’t get it. I think hyphens look ugly, and most people only get called the first half of the name anyway, Sofia for Sofia-Rose etc.

I personally feel hyphenating names with a made up misspelt half-name like -Mai is odd. But I find it even odder when people hyphenate two ‘normal’ names, that have no obvious connection to each other, like Sofia-Rose, to use the same example.

I just don’t get it. Could someone explain it to me? Why would/did you do this? Is it because you couldn’t decide between two names, or another reason?

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ReelingLush18 · 29/01/2018 11:50

I think in some generations it was acceptable and not 'common'. Have known several Anne-Maries in my time (both from MC Scottish families) and on my father's side of the family (professional across four generations) it's been the norm for nearly a century. There is a Catholic connection though which probably explains it. Interestingly, everyone has chosen in adulthood to known by the second part of their hyphenated name without exception Wink.

MiaowTheCat · 29/01/2018 11:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DullAndOld · 29/01/2018 11:06

I knew an Irish girl called Maria Theresa which sounds so grand ,doesn't it? Hardly 'lower class'.
She got called 'Mate-ree' .

giddyupnow · 28/01/2018 22:02

Very common where I am from in Ireland, but not Lily-Mai, more like Claire-Louise, Sarah-Jane, Elizabeth-Ann. Also as has been made clear, it's common in the states, Mediterranean Europe, Germany, South America... are all these countries vair lower class then?

Valerrie · 28/01/2018 21:44

Yes, pronounced Callum.

starzig · 28/01/2018 20:34

Sometimes 1 is choice and other is nod to grandparent (Or someone else)

Tamularoom · 28/01/2018 20:19

I don't like them either and think they can sound a bit tacky.

In my DCs school there around about 100 Ellie-May Evie-Rose, Ella-Rose, none of the parents actually refer to the DCs as their full name though 90% of the time so I don't see the point!

robertaplumkin · 28/01/2018 20:14

lol @EggsonHeads that is cute/funny

Smoliver · 28/01/2018 19:40

My friend has a hyphened name - Julie-Ann.

Her parents were going to have Ann as the middle name but they then decided they liked the sound and flow of Julie-Ann, which also meant that she was then going to have no middle name. She doesn't mind though.

She loves her name. We all call her Julie-Ann. Hardly anyone calls her Julie, it just sounds wrong.

Annabelle4 · 28/01/2018 19:40

And the poor child trying to write and learn to spell their name in Reception!

MikeUniformMike · 28/01/2018 19:38

I find it stranger still when people hyphenate long names or names that don't sound right together.
Nathaniel-Jake or something.

EggsonHeads · 28/01/2018 19:37

After reading the thread I think that it must be a cultural thing. I've never met/heard of anyone called Lola-mai-rose or variant thereof. I also think that Dahlia is a pretty normal name, I mean it's easy to pronounce and easy to spell. I guess it's about what fits as well. A double barrelled history inspired name fits our children/our family really well but it would be extremely weird if we called one of our kids John or James or something like that. I like traditional English names but when one os neither traditional nor English having one of those names seems like one is trying too hard. In the sane way I guess it would be a bit strange if David and Sarah who lived down the road in Essex their entire lives call their children Minerva-Elizabeth and Athelstan-Charlemagne.

mari652 · 28/01/2018 19:06

So many Lola-Roses popping up amongst friends with grandchildren. I mentally start singing Lo- lo-lo -lo-la ( Kinks) when I hear it. A good guiding principle I think is don't just look at your adorable cute little bundle and think of an equally adorable cutesy name - think of how that is going to work in adult life for the . Does Dame Popsy-Woo Smith, Supreme Court Justice have the right dignity? I know an adult Dahlia and a Delphinium who are used to 'wha'? ' expressions on first meeting ( both shortened to Della) who regret their parents' whimsy.

YolandiFuckinVisser · 28/01/2018 18:57

My MIL is the poshest person I've ever met. She has a double barrelled first name, complete with hyphen. Neither name is Mai though.

Annabelle4 · 28/01/2018 18:55

*Kahlumm

bobstersmum · 28/01/2018 18:55

I have 3 children none have a double barrelled first name, yet I was born and brought up in a council house!
Maybe I should add names on my dc birth certificate, I want to get it right!

Annabelle4 · 28/01/2018 18:55

Shock at Kahluum

LinoleumBlownapart · 28/01/2018 18:51

I live in a culture where the first and middle names are often used so I don't find it odd. I gave my kids middle names and 3 of my 4 children are called by both their middle and first names in school. It seemed odd at first but now it just seems normal. It's funny how your opinion changes with experience and strange becomes norm when all the other sheep do it. So now I can't bring myself to look down my nose at other's choices.

MikeUniformMike · 28/01/2018 18:46

Jaiden-Kai needs a hyphen.

MikeUniformMike · 28/01/2018 18:43

Kahlumm should have been Kahlumm-Jay or something surely.
Is it pronounced Calum?

Valerrie · 28/01/2018 18:41

A boy. Not sure why they couldn't just call him Finlay/Finley. Their other son has a ridiculously spelled "normal" name too, though.

(Kahlumm)

happymummy12345 · 28/01/2018 18:41

My parents did it because they wanted to and because they liked it.
Saying they look ugly is a bit ott though OP.

MikeUniformMike · 28/01/2018 18:39

Amber-Lynne or Amberlyn - both are lovely.

MikeUniformMike · 28/01/2018 18:39

Is Fin-Leigh a boy or a girl?

Amber-lynne is lovely.

Valerrie · 28/01/2018 18:34

I know a Fin-Leigh. How bloody awful, poor child.