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Baby names

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

Original poster

How to name a baby with a difficult surname?

87 replies

BlackLantern · 02/10/2024 08:47

So the name we like just rhymes with our surname and I think it will always sound silly. So many names we can’t use due to the sound and layout of the surname. Do we just suck it up and give them a rhyming first/second name and acknowledge it’s always going to be an issue whatever we pick or pick something that works and we don’t love as a name?

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StudioCreate · 02/10/2024 09:36

Like Jon Bon or Jen Pen? My mum had a married rhyming shortened first name and surname. She was ribbed about it but it didn't help that her surname is very unusual. I think it's quite cute for a child but Maybe not as they get older.

Original poster
BlackLantern · 02/10/2024 09:00

Saying Jeffrey as 3 syllables…..

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Original poster
BlackLantern · 02/10/2024 08:59

Which has kind of a weird nice flow to it and owns the surname but also does it not work?

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Original poster
BlackLantern · 02/10/2024 08:58

Kind of like Jeffery Neff. Shortened to Jeff Neff

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Original poster
BlackLantern · 02/10/2024 08:58

@Alongthepineconetrail thank you. I should have posted in 30days only so it would get deleted if I wanted to post our surname. Don’t want a teenager googling their name and finding it on a MN forum!

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Original poster
BlackLantern · 02/10/2024 08:57

@exprecis now I’m wondering if you know me IRL 😂

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Original poster
BlackLantern · 02/10/2024 08:56

@exprecis yes when shortened which it would be.

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exprecis · 02/10/2024 08:54

BlackLantern · 02/10/2024 08:54

@ACynicalDad the trouble is worse when it’s shortened. So a 3 syllable first name and one syllable surname becomes completely rhyming with one syllable first and second. Trying to think of an example…….

Like Max Pax?

WimpoleHat · 02/10/2024 08:54

I don’t think it matters if you don’t love it - the name is the child’s and is theirs to live with. I would definitely avoid something rhyming or that will raise eyebrows. I have a friend who had had her heart set on a certain name all her life, but then took her husband’s surname which didn’t go at all. And pressed ahead with her choice. So - her son’s name is along the lines of William Williamson. Similarly, you may always have wanted a little girl called Beatrix, but if you’ve decided to be Mrs Potter, then you probably should think again….. I didn’t “love” my DD’s name - it was a huge compromise for both of us as DH and I really couldn’t agree. But - do you know what? She loves it. And it’s her name. And we now couldn’t imagine her being called anything else. So I’d definitely go with thinking what name would work best for the child.

Original poster
BlackLantern · 02/10/2024 08:54

@ACynicalDad the trouble is worse when it’s shortened. So a 3 syllable first name and one syllable surname becomes completely rhyming with one syllable first and second. Trying to think of an example…….

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Alongthepineconetrail · 02/10/2024 08:49

Would a name like Alexander or Alexandra cause problems with your surname? It's a bit difficult to suggest alternatives without knowing the surname. However, I understand why you don't want to share the name on a public platform.

ACynicalDad · 02/10/2024 08:49

Can it be shortened if the child hates it. Like Nicholas Picolus could become Nick Picolus and most people wouldn’t think twice.