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Baby names

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

Original poster

To hypen or not to hypen...that is the question

64 replies

Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 20:10

My husband and I are expecting a little girl on 18th May.
My husband's Mum passed away three years ago and we are going to name her 'Lucy' after his Mum. Initially, even though my husband wanted to name her Lucy after his Mum, he said it may be too hard to just call her Lucy as it may be a bit raw. Neither of us were keen on hyphenated names, but we decided to call her Lucy-Rose so it would feel less raw for my husband.
I have totally fallen in love with the name, but my husband has now said he has really gone off the hyphen and thinks we should just use Rose as a middle name.
I know people are unlikely to call her both names, but I have two friends who already frequently refer to her as 'Lucy-Rose' or 'LR', so it feels really weird for me to drop it.
Any advice?

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Icklepup · 14/04/2019 09:40

Lucy and Rose as the middle

BelulahBlanca · 14/04/2019 04:58

My name is spelt two very popular ways and mine is the slightly less popular way. I always have to spell it out or correct people who have written it down. It has had no effect whatsoever on me- if you want to caller her Lucy Rose with no hyphen it’s not going to have an adverse effect on her to say “oh actually no hyphen”

BitOfFun · 14/04/2019 04:46

What about Lucinda, or Lucia? So you are paying tribute, but less directly.

Tavannach · 14/04/2019 04:04

Agree, no hyphen.
And, frankly, I prefer Lucy to Lucy Rose.

MercyBodle · 14/04/2019 03:58

Both Lucy and Rose are lovely names. My personal preference is no hyphen - you can still say both, but either way is fine.

Krimpy · 14/04/2019 03:51

associated with being "chavvy" at the moment (I hate that word but just being honest"

You love that word.

Rosesaredead · 14/04/2019 03:43

No to the hyphen! Always. Hyphens seem to really cheapen names, making two lovely names sound a bit naff. Hyphenated names are also associated with being "chavvy" at the moment (I hate that word but just being honest" so it's a shame to ruin two lovely names with a hyphen that just totally changes the nature and sound of the name for the worst. Also LR isn't really a good nickname - doesn't flow at all - but if you like it she could still be called LR if her initials are L.R. You could even still call her Lucy Rose if you want to. But the name looks and sounds SO much nicer as a first and middle. I really like both these names! I just think it's a shame to hyphenate them and ruin them a bit.

whitehalleve · 13/04/2019 21:54

Never hyphen.

SosigDog · 13/04/2019 21:45

Hyphens are awful and trashy, sorry.

Krimpy · 13/04/2019 21:42

I think people on these boards can be (more than) a bit hyperbolic about people's perception of names. The horror of a hyphen, suggesting it will impinge upon on her education, make her less appealing to potential employers seems a bit silly. There are many girls and women out there with hyphenated names doing just fine.

TriarFuck · 13/04/2019 21:23

OP, it isn't just the Katie Hopkins types who judge people by their names. It's employers, university admissions tutors (I am one), teachers... They may deny doing it, but they do. Just call her Lucy Rose, with no hyphen. Her friends will probably call her Looby anyway!

handonhip · 13/04/2019 21:18

Go for Lucy Rose, no hyphen. Perfect - and very flexible as the years go by.

Original poster
Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 21:16

He has yes. I think calling her it frequently has led him to now think of her as 'Lucy' and his Mum as 'Mum'. I think that may be the solution, and I can call her Lucy Rose if it feels weird not to.... When she is older she can chose what she is called. I don't know why I'm allowing myself to be dictated by 'norms'. Thank you.

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 13/04/2019 21:11

It’s fine to change your mind about the name before she is born. You’ve got an awful lot longer with the name than pregnancy.

MumUnderTheMoon · 13/04/2019 21:09

Rose is a very commonly used as the second part of a hyphenated name. It is pretty but I can see why your dh has been put off. My dds name is hyphenated but both names while simple aren't regularly used as part of hyphenated names (too outing for here) why not experiment with some other names.
Lucy-Anne
Lucy-Marie
Lucy-Faye
Also as Lucy means light you could consider Alina, Dawn or Ellen which all have similar meanings.

Starryskiesinthesky · 13/04/2019 21:09

Ah so has he come round to it not being so raw? In that case changing from Lucy-Rose to Lucy with Rose as the middle name (and even you calling her Lucy Rose) would be good then no? They are both lovely names no matter what you do.

Original poster
Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 21:07

Do you think maybe I should just wait until she is born and see what she looks like suits her best?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 21:05

@Starryskiesinthesky I was never personally keen on hyphenated names myself before, but we made an exception because of the complexity of the situation. He has told his entire family that we are calling her Lucy after his Mum, so I think it would be heart wrenching for everyone to change it now....plus I do really like Lucy. I am sure I will get used to it!

OP posts:
Clownfish123 · 13/04/2019 21:02

I like Lucy-Rose. I know an Annie-Rose and she is ALWAYS called the full name, it suits her and I couldn't imagine her being anything else.

Original poster
Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 21:02

@Krimpy I totally agree it isn't weird at all. I just personally find the adjustment difficult as I've been calling her that. I ALSO agree that you shouldn't share the name. I told my husband this but he got excited and told everyone eye roll...hence the predicament! Weirdly enough as well the indie singer Lucy Rose is exactly where I got the inspiration from as I am a fan of hers _

@TriarFuck - Yep, I have come across x2 Loocie's and I remember there being one on that Take me out show too. It also makes me sad that people would judge anyone based on their name. I get that it happens, but it is just a sad world we live in. I'm not sure I would care if people who judge people based on their name judged her and would try to raise her to not listen and care about the opinions of the Katie Hopkins of the world!

OP posts:
Starryskiesinthesky · 13/04/2019 21:02

I'm sorry but I agree with your husband that Lucy-Rose isn't the best. Hyphenated names tend not to be great as an adult.

Could you make Lucy her middle name?

Wheresmyvagina · 13/04/2019 21:00

Hyphenated names are very 2006 and appear very dated now. I would just go with Lucy tbh.

stellarfox · 13/04/2019 20:59

I do think hyphenated names are a bit trendy and will date. I’d use Rose in the middle name spot... you can still call her Lucy Rose on a day to day basis!

DramaAlpaca · 13/04/2019 20:57

I don't usually like hyphenated names, but Lucy-Rose isn't bad as they go.

Personally I'd use Lucy Rose without the hyphen. You can still call her by both names.

DerbyRacer · 13/04/2019 20:56

Lucy-Rose is lovely. I don't know anyone with a hyphenated name. It is unusual

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