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Baby names

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

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??

OP posts:
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seeker · 03/02/2009 05:45

"Still not sure if I dare!"

It's not you that has to dare - it's your child!

AliceTheCamelHasGotTheHump · 03/02/2009 05:34

I know a Mark Johnson too.

I think there is definitely something to be said for giving him a less usual first name with a very usual surname. It will obviously still be a name you love, a name that suits him, and a name that goes with the surname.

I used to work as an administrator in a Children's Hospital. Try asking the consultants something about a child called Mark Johnson and they wouldn't have a clue who you were talking about without having a sit down and a proper read through the notes. The Ptolomys and Buiks though, they knew about. People with memorable names keep a higher profile in peoples minds and that can definitely be an advantage in my opinion.

The woman who sold us our house 4 years ago was called Dhalia. If she phoned me out of the blue I would know exactly who she was and how I know her. I, on the other hand, have a really really common name and I even have to specify which dull firstname I am when I phone my inlaws. Everyone knows at least 3 of me.

nooka · 03/02/2009 05:13

I think Caravaggio is appallingly pretentious. Poor kid, that's going to be really fun to learn how to write at school! I don't think that plain surnames need fancy first names, or that people with fancy surnames can't have interesting first names too. But I do think that first and second name need to balance well in the way that they sound. Choose a name you like that sounds good with the surname. Personally I think there is a balance between traditional and outlandish, with plenty of interesting and unusual names in between. I like Digby best of your less traditional names (although they were traditional in their time). I wouldn't choose Lyndon because of LBJ. Wilbur makes me think of Charlotte's Web, although that's not a bad thing

MadamDeathstare · 03/02/2009 02:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lowrib · 03/02/2009 02:01

I like particularly like Digby, Wilbur and Lyndon.

Original poster
SAEJ · 03/02/2009 01:41

Ok, must admit we were not considering Mark. We were thinking of less traditional names - Digby/Montgomery/Barnabus/Wilbur/Lyndon. DH even likes Heathcliff.

Still not sure if I dare!

Wilbur seems to be our top 'unusual' name at the moment.

Of the plainer names we are thinking of George/Thomas/Charles/William etc

OP posts:
Karamazov · 03/02/2009 01:31

yes I would - and I would also avoid the first name Mark, for some reason I have met lots of mark johnsons - even taught two in the same class - now that was confusing!

thumbwitch · 03/02/2009 01:21

I wouldn't think about names in that light - I would just choose names I like that go with the surname and that (in the end) suit the baby when it arrives.

lowrib · 03/02/2009 00:43

I'd vote for unusual, plain + plain = boring!!

naturalbornmum · 03/02/2009 00:40

What names are you thinking of?