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Baby names

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Original poster

Plain surname crazy first name?

60 replies

SAEJ · 03/02/2009 00:27

DH and I can't decide. . . . we have a bland surname - Johnson - yawn (have to say my maiden name was better but I was feeling traditional!).

So, if we have a plain surname then do you think that means you can get away with a more unusual first name (particularly for a boy who is less likely to change surname) or should it be plain plus plain??

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mopsyflopsy · 05/02/2009 18:56

Some lovely suggestions on this thread.

I particularly like Montgomery, Victor and Quentin Johnson.

CarryOnUpTheLiffey · 05/02/2009 18:22

This is what it says about my name

Your name is common enough to ensure free hire of the social club hall at your reunion party. Mmmmm Cocktails Sausages for all.

CarryOnUpTheLiffey · 05/02/2009 18:20

try the name combo out on this website

how many people share a name?

TooFoggy · 05/02/2009 17:20

Hector
Douglas
Duncan

randomname · 05/02/2009 16:33

def go for something unusual if not he would be known by surname anyway as lots of williams,georges charlies, harry's etc love digby & monty, what about jasper,orlando or kitt?

MrsHappy · 05/02/2009 15:09

It didn't do Inigo Jones any harm...

pippylongstockings · 05/02/2009 15:06

Conrad and Victor are both strong names that I think go well with Johnson....

Monty would be my favorite from your list.

Stirling was a shortlist for us....

frazzledoldbag · 05/02/2009 14:51

I love Digby and Monty. Both are on my list for impending DS. Go well with Johnson IMO

annasmami · 04/02/2009 11:15

I like Monty, Wilbur and Quentin Johnson particularly. Nice, classic names that aren't too common but not too unusual either. Also like the fact that they're 2 syllables so won't need shortening.

Tiberius is cool, but a little long, I'm not sure I'd be brave enough .

nooka · 04/02/2009 04:10

Quentin and Tiberius are cool, although I'd maybe choose the latter as a middle name just in case. We were going to call dd Richard Ezra (she was a girl so we didn't ) with Ezra as the name we used, but Richard just in case. Ezra Johnson sounds excellent

MadamDeathstare · 03/02/2009 23:53

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thumbwitch · 03/02/2009 23:14

Ooh, just had a thought - what about Aloysius? Great name. He was Sebastian's teddy bear in Brideshead Revisited, iirc.

Original poster
SAEJ · 03/02/2009 21:58

Thanks stayfrosty! Will be asking DN what he thinks!

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StayFrosty · 03/02/2009 21:54

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thumbwitch · 03/02/2009 21:46

yup, my first thought was Planet of the Apes to Cornelius too. Shorten to Corny.

StayFrosty · 03/02/2009 17:48

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lowrib · 03/02/2009 17:40

Karamazov There's even a Mark Johnson (obstetrician) named on a totally unrelated post today!

SobranieCocktail · 03/02/2009 17:12

Our surname is even duller than Johnson, and I kind of regret giving DD a common(ish) name. I made up for it with DS however

Montgomery Johnson is my favourite from your list. Lovely

maretta · 03/02/2009 17:07

I like Wilbur.

If I had your surname I would definitely go unusual.

shoobidoo · 03/02/2009 17:01

I know a lovely 3 year old Mungo - don't think (and hope) his name will hold him back.

fridayschild · 03/02/2009 14:16

Surely he may well be called Johnno whatever his first name?

I am with carryonuptheliffey. DH has a really dull surname so the boys do too. Their first names are Scottish, ordinary in Scotland but moderately unusual in London. We did consider the really wacky ones (Mungo appealed, for example) but felt that would be too much of a cross to bear for the child concerned.

rempy · 03/02/2009 14:03

I would have done that in your situation.

But as I have a truly ridiculous married surname, that needs to be spelled out to all and sundry, and repeating at least twice, and cannot be pronounced by parcel delivery drivers or GPs, I have done the reverse and named my children with single syllable, very old, biblical names.

Please please please consider however, how many times Baby Michaelangelo is going to have to spell his first name.

Or he will end up being called "Johnno".

Iklboo · 03/02/2009 13:56

Have you considered Ethelred or Ezekial?
Sorry - Monty is nice and Barnabas too

LuLuBai · 03/02/2009 13:51

Wasn't Humphrey the name of the Downing Street cat (which Cherie banished)?

thumbwitch · 03/02/2009 12:42

I had a g'pig called Humphrey - very good g'pig name.