First names that are traditionally surnames

dina3 · 2022-05-16T10:25:56+00:00

Things like: Mason Tyler Hunter Harrison Riley What's with the craze of giving first names that were better known as surnames not so long ago?

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jammyrose · 19/05/2022 19:49

Some work, some don’t.

For example, my surname is also a fairly ‘normal’ first name (Morgan).

On the other hand, I know of a Peterson. It’s his actual, legal first name. That’s too ‘surnamey’ for me.

NippyWoowoo · 19/05/2022 15:28

Fleur405 · 17/05/2022 18:49

Magnus is a Scandinavian name which has been used in Scotland (particularly those places occupied by Vikings like Orkney) for, I don’t know, maybe 700 years. In what way is that pretentious or awful?!

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Well every name has its origin somewhere, so I don’t really get the point you’re making. Bluebell is English in origin, still an awful name for a child. Ignatius is both awful AND pretentious, despite being a Latin name that’s been around for years, I tell you.

It’s funny the names MN will sneer at and fawn over.

Kanaloa · 19/05/2022 00:40

Please can we not have another faux innocent ‘I just don’t GET this’ thread intended to encourage people to sneer at things they consider ‘lesser?’ It’s so tacky and nasty. If you want to sneer just do so openly.

Some people like the name Mason or Tyler. It sounds nice. There’s really not much more to it. If you don’t get the ‘craze’ as you call it, then just choose a different name for your child.

AmandaMirandaPanda · 19/05/2022 00:31

Many traditional girls' names also happen to be used as surnames:

Barbara
Doris
Grace
Hanna
Isabel
Joyce
Lilly
Lynn
May
Morgan
Rose

Luredbyapomegranate · 19/05/2022 00:09

It's not a new thing at all, although I think there was usually a family association. But recently some surnames that have become very popular as first names eg Tyler, have become what are sometimes called naughty boys names so people fear that association.

Justkeeppedaling · 17/05/2022 19:54

DuchessOfSausage · 17/05/2022 14:23

You know all those people? Blimey.

10 people? You're easily impressed 😀

Fleur405 · 17/05/2022 18:49

NippyWoowoo · 17/05/2022 18:29

I don't know, but I much prefer it to the craze of giving pretentious awful names like Hector, Magnus and Calliope.

Magnus is a Scandinavian name which has been used in Scotland (particularly those places occupied by Vikings like Orkney) for, I don’t know, maybe 700 years. In what way is that pretentious or awful?!

Ginisatonic · 17/05/2022 18:45

Most of the boys I grew up with in Scotland, including my brother, had names which you would consider surnames. I’m in my 60s so hardly a new thing.

NippyWoowoo · 17/05/2022 18:29

I don't know, but I much prefer it to the craze of giving pretentious awful names like Hector, Magnus and Calliope.

Snowiscold · 17/05/2022 17:46

notreadyforthisgelatinousbooty · 17/05/2022 17:24

@Snowiscold I'm not sure about Cruz, but Rocco is more common in Italy as a first name than as a surname. It's a saint's name.

Oh, Rocco is a saint? I had no idea.

KittenKong · 17/05/2022 17:30

There was a little Mackenzie at school with DS. A girl - funny, I would have thought it was a boys name (Mac meaning son of…). She is American, so maybe it’s a namw out there.

MajorCarolDanvers · 17/05/2022 17:24

We've been doing this in Scotland for hundreds of years

Stuart
Cameron
Murray
Fraser
Graham
Lindsay
Kelvin
Gordon
Henry
Lewis
Ross

notreadyforthisgelatinousbooty · 17/05/2022 17:24

@Snowiscold I'm not sure about Cruz, but Rocco is more common in Italy as a first name than as a surname. It's a saint's name.

Snowiscold · 17/05/2022 17:17

notreadyforthisgelatinousbooty · 17/05/2022 12:51

There is a tradition of using the mother's maiden name as a first name for a child, usually a boy.

But the idea of using basically random surnames that don't have family significance is more recent. I think it has a lot to do with the influence of American pop culture. To me it's noticeable that the surnames are almost always British, and sometimes Irish. But nobody is interested in calling their child Papadopoulos or González.

There’s Cruz. And Rocco.

DuchessOfSausage · 17/05/2022 14:23

You know all those people? Blimey.

Justkeeppedaling · 17/05/2022 13:52

DuchessOfSausage · 17/05/2022 08:43

@Justkeeppedaling Philip, Andrew, Christopher, Arthur, Joseph, William, Harry, Edward,Michael, Zachary

I know people with all of these surnames:
•Mrs Philip - teacher in DCs' old school
•Martin Andrew - bloke at work
•David Christopher - friend of DH
•James Arthur - singer
•Lesley Joseph - actress
•William - ok you've got me there, but Williams is common
•Christopher Harry - guy I was in school with
•Mary Edward - friend of DM
•Alun Michael - politician
•Susan Zachary - in school with me

ElenaSt · 17/05/2022 12:51

Mortimer.

notreadyforthisgelatinousbooty · 17/05/2022 12:51

There is a tradition of using the mother's maiden name as a first name for a child, usually a boy.

But the idea of using basically random surnames that don't have family significance is more recent. I think it has a lot to do with the influence of American pop culture. To me it's noticeable that the surnames are almost always British, and sometimes Irish. But nobody is interested in calling their child Papadopoulos or González.

BlondeEgg · 17/05/2022 12:36

I think that it's always happened here but occurs a lot more in America and with social media etc and pop culture being one of Americas biggest exports the surname as first name thing is picking up over here at the speed of light. I know a 19 yo who has a Grayson and she's pregnant with DS2 and considering Hunter!!

DuchessOfSausage · 17/05/2022 09:10

@InTheNightWeWillWish , you'e got that the wrong way round. The surnames are boys' names with an s added.

Similarly, you get surnames like Mac-, Mc-, O'-, P-, B- and -son,where somewhere in the past a man's name was used as his child's surname

InTheNightWeWillWish · 17/05/2022 08:56

It’s not a craze, loads of boys names can be surnames. Although in some cases you would drop the ‘S’ at the end of the surname, such as Roberts, Williams, Andrews, Owens, Matthews, Daniels.

In addition to the ones where you would drop the ‘s’, you have:
James
Thomas
Lee
Cameron
Clarke
Gregory

DuchessOfSausage · 17/05/2022 08:43

Sorry, Joseph is also a surname.

DuchessOfSausage · 17/05/2022 08:43

@Justkeeppedaling Philip, Andrew, Christopher, Arthur, Joseph, William, Harry, Edward,Michael, Zachary

Justkeeppedaling · 17/05/2022 08:26

DuchessOfSausage · 17/05/2022 08:23

@Justkeeppedaling , some of those aren't surnames

Those can all be surnames. Which ones are you questioning?

DuchessOfSausage · 17/05/2022 08:23

@Justkeeppedaling , some of those aren't surnames