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Baby names

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

Original poster

Bethan

28 replies

Mumtobe2023 · 24/01/2023 08:19

Hi everyone. So my baby girl is now officially due! We have decided to name her Bethan. My husbands late mother is Jennifer so we are wanting to put her name in there, but i wanted a hyphenated name before the Jennifer, so for example Bethan- Mai Jennifer. But not sure on the Mai. Has anyone got any suggestions on what we could use for the part just after her name instead of Mai?

Thank you in advance 🩷

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cptartapp · 24/01/2023 19:52

Jennifer Bethan is much nicer.

Luredbyapomegranate · 24/01/2023 19:46

I really wouldn’t hyphenate. It’s never a good look.

Bethan May Jennifer is fine. You don’t want BJ. May is best spelt normally unless there is a cultural reason not to.

Sandysandwich · 24/01/2023 16:20

ofwarren · 24/01/2023 13:29

Where I live it would be pronounced Beffun and the initials BJ would be giggled at due to it being the commonly used name for a blow job.

But her initials wouldn't be BJ as J is a middle not her surname. She would be something like BW or BJW or podsible BMJW

ofwarren · 24/01/2023 13:29

Where I live it would be pronounced Beffun and the initials BJ would be giggled at due to it being the commonly used name for a blow job.

DacwMamYnDwad · 24/01/2023 13:28

Bethan seems very middle aged. Mai (My) is Welsh for May, and is a bit of a filler middle name in Welsh. The hyphen detracts rather than enhances.
If you aren't in Wales, she'll be Bethun-May.

If you are welsh, you could use the Welsh form of Jennifer, Gwenhwyfar or Gaenor as a middle name, if you choose.
I'd use Jennifer as the first name and ditch the Bethan-hyphen-Mai.

Twizbe · 24/01/2023 13:25

BJ even

Twizbe · 24/01/2023 13:25

How about Elizabeth using the nn Bethan. Gets round the NJ issue

Spanielsarepainless · 24/01/2023 13:22

Our family has a Betsan and a Bethany.

user8545 · 24/01/2023 13:18

Bethan really doesn't need hyphenating with anything, what's the purpose?

wobytide · 24/01/2023 13:10

It won't be pronounced by the majority of people as others say

Also BJ, the nature of the world, and school kids

TheVanguardSix · 24/01/2023 12:17

Leave it as Bethan. Or... Bethania (knew a Bethania. Both versions are lovely).
Skip the Mai (or use it as a middle name. Is it 'My' or 'May' in pronunciation? I see it as 'My' but I'm a German speaker).

AnotherNameChangeYes · 24/01/2023 12:12

Mai/May/Mae is done to death as a middle name, especially hyphenated, along with Rose/Grace.

I love the name Bethan but agree with the pp about people pronouncing it incorrectly!

Houselamp · 24/01/2023 11:53

Bethan is a lovely name. I personally wouldn't hyphenate it just because all of the Bethan's I know go by Beth, which makes their full name already sound hyphenated- as if there are called Beth-Ann.

Original poster
Mumtobe2023 · 24/01/2023 11:52

Ah thank you everyone yes I think Bethan Jennifer sounds lovely as it is! Mind you, I may take one look at her and think NOPE she's not a Bethan 🤣🤣🙈

OP posts:
Theemptychair23 · 24/01/2023 11:41

I was going to say just Bethan Jennifer, but then I realised why you needed another name in between. It's the initials isn't it?

Maybe have another separate name in the middle but not hyphenated?
Bethan something Jennifer, but I'm struggling to think of a name that would fit in the middle.

Beachsidesunset · 24/01/2023 11:10

-y

Mariposista · 24/01/2023 10:43

Can't stand Mae/Mai/May and an extra. Sounds like you are trying to make her all cutie and sweet (one day she has to become an adult!). However, both Bethan and Jennifer are beautiful names.

MamOfTwo · 24/01/2023 10:31

Are you in England,OP? Just a warning if so - she will be Beth-UN in England as people are incapable of pronouncing it the proper and lovely Welsh way!

MirabelMax · 24/01/2023 10:29

Mai is absolutely ubiquitous here as a middle name/hyphen. I'd avoid it personally.
I think a middle name would work better than a hyphen too. How about something short with an I at the end? Mali or Cadi?

purpledalmation · 24/01/2023 10:24

hyphenated names are very american(billy jo etc) and are a bit tiresome. I'd just use the middle name

waltzingparrot · 24/01/2023 10:24

I think it would have to be short although I agree with most that it is nicer on its own.

Rae
Eve
Ann
Ivy
Lia
Bea

WaltzingWaters · 24/01/2023 10:18

Leave the hyphen. If you want Mai (or another additional name) make it a second middle name.
but I’d leave it as Bethan Jennifer, that sounds beautiful and classy. Sorry but IMO the hyphen completely ruins changes it (but I’m just not a fan of hyphenated names).

CastleTower · 24/01/2023 10:15

Just Bethan Jennifer, or Bethan May Jennifer.

BlessedBeTheFruitShoots · 24/01/2023 10:13

I love Bethan and Jennifer but I'd be wary of initials BJ
How about 2 middle names? So Bethan May Jennifer?

HeidiWhole · 24/01/2023 10:11

I would go with just Bethan as it's such a lovely name on its own but the chances are she will end up as Beth anyway so not sure it matters!