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Baby names

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

Original poster

Double barrel first names - yes or no

145 replies

SillySallyStruthers · 19/07/2019 12:19

Opinions?
Any that people like?

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Twillow · 20/07/2019 17:51

Not a fan

Uneasypeasy · 20/07/2019 17:39

I have one. I'm forty though, so it's not one of the modern ones mentioned in the thread! I've pretty much always just used the first name of the two. That started from day one of education and having to learn to write my name (the full one being incredibly long compared the the first name alone)! Having said that all official documents (including exam papers) have needed my real hyphenated name on. Takes forever!

starzig · 20/07/2019 16:37

Yes. But good luck with keeping it, many English can't manage one name without having to shorten it.

daisypond · 20/07/2019 16:34

Mary-Ann is nice, though I do prefer Marianne - admittedly pronounced differently.

daisypond · 20/07/2019 16:30

I know a few adults with double barrelled names and I like them. But they are the traditional sort of European name - think Marie-Paule, Marie-Luz, Anne-Marie, etc. Both parts of the name are used. Names like Marianne or Rosemary used to be double barrelled and have changed their spelling over time. I know an Emma-Jane and an Anna-Rose as well and I like those.

RickOShay · 20/07/2019 16:20

I like them. Some are lovely.
I like both French and English.

Rolypolying · 20/07/2019 16:10

My DD has a double barrelled name, I wouldn't say her name sounds chavvy, just two perfectly normal nice names. Some double barrelled names I don't like and can see where people are coming from but it's like with any name. I wouldn't automatically dislike or label a name as chavvy because it's double barrelled

margosims · 20/07/2019 15:45

There is a massive difference I think in the names Mary-Ann/Jane to Lacey Mae/Ann in my opinion. The later is chavvy

FrancisCrawford · 20/07/2019 15:34

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mimibunz · 20/07/2019 14:05

What about Mary Ann? Is that bad? Was thinking of it for future DD.

qj17 · 20/07/2019 14:03

Not for me.

BackforGood · 20/07/2019 14:02

I have honestly never known anyone known as one of the initial names only

I can think of 3 in schools I've taught in, where the parents were insistent that 'CJ' was the child's actual name.

Jessbow · 20/07/2019 14:02

There are okay to a point- not too 'sing song'

Somehow short 'blunt' ending first names sound better when double barrelled with another
Like

Ruth-ann
Paul-Julian

Rather than -y names ( Rosy-ann , Sally-ann)

AnguaUberwaldIronfoundersson · 20/07/2019 12:06

There is one boy in my child's playgroup named "Christopher-Dane" (not the actual name but similar)

It's annoying singing the welcome song with that many syllables

Bunbunbunny · 20/07/2019 12:04

Oh to add my name isn't shortened, I do have a nickname for very close friends but at work etc it's my full name. I don't respond if only half is said & it irritates me as it feels far too personal, it's clear in my emails what my name. I don't see it being different to a person called Benjamin that want to be called by their full name not Ben.

Whoops75 · 20/07/2019 12:00

My dd has one, no hyphen.
We didn’t persist using the second and she is only known as both when she’s in trouble.
They’re not very practical.
I still love her name.

Bunbunbunny · 20/07/2019 11:56

Having lived with a hyphen name I can't say I've had any negativity from it

It's hyphened names with odd spellings that's wrong!

Icklepup · 20/07/2019 11:52

Dislike them

SemperIdem · 20/07/2019 11:41

I’ve come across a Tee-Jay or two. It happens.

Pieceofpurplesky · 20/07/2019 11:36

I love Marie-Claire or Marie-Helene

taylorowmu · 20/07/2019 11:32

Think of CJ in Reggie Perrin.

😂😂😂

CollaterlyS1sters · 20/07/2019 11:30

Think of CJ in Reggie Perrin.

His name was Charles Jefferson. Confused

It wasn't an abbreviation for Callum-Jayden.

FrancisCrawford · 20/07/2019 11:21

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SlipperOrchid · 20/07/2019 11:15

In some cases they are first and middle names, and the child is known as Paul, rather than Paul Joseph. The initials are used as a nickname

I have honestly never known anyone known as one of the initial names only. The babies were always announced as both. I grew up in Ireland and these names were very popular back then (1970s).

The first name was used to honour a father or grandfather’s name and the second to differentiate the child from the father or grandfather.

However names like Mary Ellen were often known by just Mary or Ellen (to avoid the confusion of having so many Mary’s).

FrancisCrawford · 20/07/2019 09:53

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