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

Baby surname wobble

59 replies

NatMoz · 09/11/2021 03:56

I'm 35 weeks pregnant, married but never changed my surname.

My name is Eastern European. Let's say it's Dobrowskyj, my husband is British, let's say he's Smith.

We don't know the sex of the baby but the girl name we like is not stereotypically English.

We were going to call baby if girl

Yelena Sophia Dobrowskyj (second middle name) Smith

I suppose day to day she would be Yelena Smith but I'm now wondering if it would be better if she was Yelena Dobrowskyj-Smith.

We won't be making up a random surname for the baby (or us) before it's suggested. I am not changing to husband's surname either, I've been married 4 years already and have no plans to.

I don't know if in my situation double barrel would be odd as we're not partners but married

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Mackmama · 09/11/2021 10:43

Don’t know what to advise on the surname but Yelena Sophia is beautiful x

ozzyfroggy · 09/11/2021 10:40

I have a double barrelled surname, personally I wouldn't burden my kids with one. I have my bond from carrying them. Having their fathers surname is their first bond to him.

Jobegg · 09/11/2021 06:19

I’d agree- why not just your name? I’m married and baby is having just my last name as the more unique and better sounding of the two

Otherwise double barrel is just fine!

Leeloo1233 · 09/11/2021 06:11

Barreled not barrow! Autocorrect Grin

Leeloo1233 · 09/11/2021 06:09

I would give the baby your surname. The time has come for women to give their children their surname: you are the one who carry the baby for 9 months, gives birth, possibly nurse the child for months. This is done in Scandinavia now more and more, which is so nice.

Also, my daughter has my surname partly because my husband preferred that our baby would have a more unique and interesting surname. Mine is Nordic and his is very common English last name. So in your case I would also say that your last name is probably used by less people in the world and reflects your child's heritage beautifully. But double-barrow last name is also a good idea!

Bumbers · 09/11/2021 05:35

I had exactly the same situation.

I have the more interesting surname- originally I was going to let it be a middle name but I am really glad I changed my mind and it is now part of my son's surname.

As a second middle name it will never be used- it will be forgotten and lost

ThirdElephant · 09/11/2021 05:34

Double barreled would work nicely, particularly if the dad's name is actually akin to Smith. Smith double-barrels well.

tcjotm · 09/11/2021 05:25

Agree with above. If double-barrelled both your surname and her father’s are her actual surnames. Otherwise sticking in that extra middle name implies your surname would be just another middle name.

Shasha17 · 09/11/2021 04:44

Double barrelled would make sense and is very common among married couples.

The first way - first name, middle name, your surname, second middle name, surname, is very odd!

Swipe left for the next trending thread