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Baby names

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

Edith Tabitha or Edith Calliope and what to do with my last name?

56 replies

purpletrees16 · 05/03/2024 17:43

48 hours to decide due to a sneaky preregistration form forcing our hand. My husband chose her first name (which I really like) and is happy with either middle names. We’ve narrowed down a long list but he has an extensive living family that all keep in touch (think multiple visits per year upwards of 70 people) so if it’s a popular name in the UK then likely she already has a second cousin who she will meet in May.

Which of the two options do you prefer?

Edith Tabitha - Tabitha is a bible story I always liked (she’s a female disciple who gives to the poor) & the name I liked as a child. I am Christian.

Edith Calliope - all my mum’s family are named after character’s from the Odyssey. Also extended family have kept a classical theme. Calliope is goddess of eloquence and her myths have positive experiences for her (not her kids though.)

Finally, I didn’t take my husband’s name at marriage as it’s my name, my identity (I go by my initials as shortening), and I didn’t want to change it. However, I have no desire to pass it to the next generation so she will have my husband’s last name.

Would sticking my last name as a middle name (legally there but never used verbally) make any legal or travel processes easier? From what I’ve read, I think it doesn’t? If so, I won’t bother.

thanks for the help!

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FloweryFlump · 17/03/2024 11:01

Beautiful! ❤️

crockofshite · 08/03/2024 02:39

purpletrees16 · 05/03/2024 18:10

yes, if I use the surname then 2 middle names. My surname is one syllable.

I'd use all the names including your surname, in whichever order works best. Why do you have to choose only one?

The middle names will hardly ever be spoken out loud, only once in a blue moon. But by including them in your daughter's legal name you're satisfying your need to use the names you like.

SheilaFentiman · 08/03/2024 02:06

Ah, that’s great you have a lovely name
for her!

Mandarinaduck · 07/03/2024 22:00

Absolutely lovely, congrats.

purpletrees16 · 07/03/2024 18:56

and we’ve gone for Edith Tabitha

Deciding point was talking to my mum about the classical link and her really not being fussed/ bringing up all the exceptions in the family.

Also my husband’s last name is one you have to spell and it was pointed out she would be spelling both Calliope and the last name for every form.

thank you all for your help!

OP posts:
FloweryFlump · 07/03/2024 18:34

Oh how lovely. You really can't go wrong with those beautiful choices. X

KirstenBlest · 07/03/2024 18:28

@bbq1,The ONS data for 2021 shows it at #83. Other sites don't usually tell where they got the data.

The ONS is based on all babies registered.

Bbq1 · 07/03/2024 18:20

I did look it up before I posted and it's not in the current Top 100

Mandarinaduck · 06/03/2024 21:37

I prefer Tabitha but not only do the two ths make it sound a bit tongue twisty, the T after the th is hard to pronounce. So Edith Calliope. All beautiful names.

Amazinggrace89 · 06/03/2024 20:50

Edith Tabitha! Love the double th

telestrations · 06/03/2024 18:18

Edith Tabitha!

NahNeedsGarlic · 06/03/2024 13:40

Calliope Edith.

Crunchymum · 06/03/2024 13:35

Nannyfannybanny · 06/03/2024 08:02

Edith is at least 100 years old, I cannot see a little baby. Tabitha was a cat.

Very helpful 🙄

Crunchymum · 06/03/2024 13:34

Nadal1966 · 05/03/2024 22:22

Sorry Edith is an old lady's name of 80 years old. Tabitha is slightly better from tgat housewife with h
Who usd to snithch her nose.

Tell that to my beautiful 5yo niece who rocks her name (and doesn't go by Edie)

Honestly................

HanaJane · 06/03/2024 11:09

I think Calliope goes better with Edith (avoids the two "th" sounds) plus there's the nice family connection

SleepingStandingUp · 06/03/2024 10:43

She's got good first name and surname so I'd pick Calliope so it's an actual tie to your families names not just one you like best

LadyDanburysHat · 06/03/2024 10:32

I love both Tabitha and Calliope as names. I think I would put Calliope with Edith.

DontGiveADuck · 06/03/2024 10:27

Personally I think you just call her Calliope.

But that’s because I don’t like Edith, sorry.

Plus Callie is a cool nickname.

TempleOfBloom · 06/03/2024 08:17

I would do Edith Calliope Your two surnames hyphenated.

Naming our child after both of us was important to me but it’s personal choice.

SheilaFentiman · 06/03/2024 08:16

Edith Calliope Wilson (or whatever your DH’s surname is) flows well.

user1492757084 · 06/03/2024 08:09

Edith is lovely with either of the names.
Edith and Tabitha both have a strong TH sound so I would not use it. I would go with ..

Edith Calliope

Other suggestions ..
Edith Photini
Edith Clemency
Edith Annabella
Edith Mary

Nannyfannybanny · 06/03/2024 08:02

Edith is at least 100 years old, I cannot see a little baby. Tabitha was a cat.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 06/03/2024 07:59

mathanxiety · 06/03/2024 04:02

Edith Tabitha is quite a mouthful.

I'd choose Edith Calliope [your surname] [DH surname] as the full BC name.

Edith is so nice.

This is my favoured combo too.
I like the connection of using Caliope with the rest of your family's names.

BasiliskStare · 06/03/2024 04:11

DS has my given surname as his 3rd name so X Y( middle name ) then my last name then DH last name. It is on his passport and also mine as I never changed my name - no idea if it would help for travelling but I have never had a problem travelling with DS solo. I did say when he got older he could hyphenate but he thinks too much of a faff and doesn't much like hyphenated names

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