Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Impossible surname

143 replies

Seaview6 · 04/10/2021 18:25

Our surname is Coe.
We’re having a boy in a few weeks and I can’t find a single name I like at all. Everything sounds like a company name!

Nothing with an O sound seems to work. Nor does anything ending in a C or K. Most boys’ names are one syllable and sound ridiculous.

I can see why Sebastian Coe’s mum went for that! It actually sounds alright. It would be on my list if it weren’t for him being well known.

Please help!

DH likes Edward and Isaac but I don’t love either and don’t think Isaac works at all.

I like Theo, Luke and Gabriel but DH doesn’t like them or they don’t work.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
LoislovesStewie · 04/10/2021 19:21

Are you a relative? My Coe family are Thomas, John, Edward, James, Francis and George, lots of them in each generation! They seem to work OK.

Bounce55 · 04/10/2021 19:17

Stanley
Lucien

Orino

RoseMartha · 04/10/2021 19:17

If you like Theo can you not go with Theodore.

Edward you can shorted to Ned or Teddy as well as Ed.

Or
Daniel
Lysander
Michael
Thomas
Tobias

Jensonfromtheblock · 04/10/2021 19:15

I used to know a John Coe. I had a big crush on him.

KirstenBlest · 04/10/2021 19:12

C Coe sounds a bit like sicko

Myusernameisnotmyusernameno · 04/10/2021 19:11

I used to live near a 'Coe' family when I was a kid. They had sons Chris and Nicky. Not sure if that helps.

SwedishEdith · 04/10/2021 19:10

What about Linus?

SwedishEdith · 04/10/2021 19:09

Ed Coe isn't awful. Wasn't Ruby Wax married to Ed Bye - always sounds like Goodbye to me but hasn't done him any harm.

SwedishEdith · 04/10/2021 19:07

Gideon Coe is a DJ - same vibe.

Isn't Benco a milshake powder? Dominic will become Dom - Domco.

Patrick, Anthony, Lawrence.

Original poster
Seaview6 · 04/10/2021 19:04

Okay - Rufus and Lucas sound particularly promising to me. I still prefer Luke but I guess Lucas gives you options and it does sound better.
Maybe Bertie.
Wilfred is a dog in the family so that’s out unfortunately!

What does everyone think of Edward? I don’t love it (surname aside) but it’s DH’s top choice. Again Ed Coe sounds awful to me. Ted Coe slightly better?! We can call him by his full name but most names end up being shortened don’t they? I mean if there’s an obvious shortening.

OP posts:
EekThreek · 04/10/2021 19:03

You can't have anything starting with, or shortened to, Al...

I like s-ending names. Elias esp, and Eli Coe goes alright too.

KirstenBlest · 04/10/2021 19:00

He could have a sister called Tess

This might help
but I would avoid Jack and Joseph

Watch out for abbreviations and nmaes ending in a k sound (Jacob nn Jake Coe will sound like Jay Coe)

GeorgiaGirl52 · 04/10/2021 18:58

David Allan Coe Grin

Original poster
Seaview6 · 04/10/2021 18:56

Thanks everyone!
I think the S ending suggestion is really helpful. You’re right, that does sound better.

Will Coe, Nick Coe, Harry Coe, Glenn Coe - come on, you can see my problem!
I worry Robert or Benjamin or Jonathan will become Rob Coe, Ben Coe, Jon Coe which aren’t totally awful but aren’t great either.

We can’t have Alexander or Oliver because family have already used them. DH doesn’t like Gabriel.

But there are some here that could work. Thank you!

OP posts:
BreakfastOfWaffles · 04/10/2021 18:54

I think you need at least three sylabbles Emmanuel
Barnaby
Emmery
Willoughby
Alexander

Westfacing · 04/10/2021 18:53

@YukoandHiro

Agree that Benjamin is nice and with the surname less chance of it being shortened to Ben.

What about s-ending names, so it's a soft sound before the hard C? Silas, Rufus, Mathias, Elias, Charles, James, Nicholas, Lucas, Miles, Thomas, Tobias.

Inspired idea!

All the names with s-ending sound great.

KirstenBlest · 04/10/2021 18:48

Glenn

DaisyWaldron · 04/10/2021 18:47

So a name that's a dactyl, without a strong 'o' sound, that doesn't start or end with a c or k.

HandforthParishCouncilClerk · 04/10/2021 18:45

Albert? Bertie Coe sounds great!
Harvey?
Wilfred?
Stephen/Stefan?

CoddledAsAMommet · 04/10/2021 18:44

In fact, the pp whosput the names ending in 's" has the right idea, those all sound great. (Apart from Nicholas which would be Nick Coe / Nicko)
Miles, James and Rufus are really good.

DaisyWaldron · 04/10/2021 18:44

Gabriel works, as do most other names with a similar rhythm.
Lucian
William
Benjamin
Alistair
Abraham
Gregory
Harrison
Jonathan

Also Harry, Quentin, Nathaniel.

flashpaper · 04/10/2021 18:44

Benjamin Coe
Nathaniel Coe
Franklin Coe
Oliver Coe
Nicholas Coe

Barwell76 · 04/10/2021 18:41

I agree it is a tricky. A name like Thomas qould be good but is usually shortened to Tom, which with Coe sounds like Tomko. Also William to Wilko.

I agree that Henry, Archie, Lucas, James work well.
George
Adam

SpottyStripyDuvet · 04/10/2021 18:41

There is an author called Jonathan Coe. Like Sebastian's parents it seems that longer is better.

Benjamin is an excellent name Wink. Nicholas and Alexander also sound good.

SpindleWhirl · 04/10/2021 18:40

Robert Coe is great!

Swipe left for the next trending thread