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Baby names

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Original poster

Which surname for Penelope?

37 replies

steppes · 03/05/2009 16:37

DP and I both really like Penelope for 1 week-old DD but can't decide which of our surnames to use, despite one of them being harder to pronounce/spell than the other. We don't have an emotional attachment to either of them and don't know which sounds best, what do you think?

Penelope Racher (sounds like Rachel but with an r)
Penelope West

she may well be known as Pen too.

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DamonBradleylovesPippi · 04/05/2009 20:23

Yes KingCanute I see your point. They did look at me a bit funny at airports abroad when shown my italian passport which shown my maiden name. I have both mine and my dh surname now so I guess it is okay as I've never had problem, except with one stupid school.

KingCanuteIAm · 04/05/2009 15:38

Damon, yes. In short, if a child does not have a mothers surname then people are quite within their rights to ask for proof that they are the mother. I have been asked to provide a birth certificate in hospital before I could make decisions regarding care. Whilst it was not an emergency it was emergency treatment IYSWIM. I have also been asked to prove parentage by schools and more. It can make overseas travel more complicated. Some countries are more rigourous than others in checking htings like this.

I am not alone, quite a few SP I know have had similar experiences. One parent being refused treatment for their dc until her right to authorise could be verified by the father or a birth certificate could be produced. In her case it seemed to be that it was made more difficult because the child looks more like her ex than her and the HP in question felt there was a chance the child was not hers.

Obviously there is also the thing of what happens if the family does not stay together long term, if a new partner comes in, if there are more children etc but, IMO these are more side issues (although they are worth bearing in mind).

DamonBradleylovesPippi · 04/05/2009 14:12

Kingcanute why is it better the have a mother's surname? Is it for practical reasons?

Original poster
steppes · 04/05/2009 13:31

Thank you for all your replies, very helpful, I agree that West is easier and with the points about using Mum's surname, which it is, so we're pretty much decided to go with that. Racher West as two names also sounds good but I think DuffyFluckling you're right that people will think it's Rachel as it's a middle not a surname.

Being family Pitstop is appealing tho

OP posts:
sophieandbelly · 04/05/2009 11:05

west p.s love penelope

TwoScrambled · 04/05/2009 10:57

Penelope Racher West sounds right to me.

noddyholder · 04/05/2009 09:01

racher is nice unusual.Don't think it matters which parents name is used.It is tradition nothing else.

frisbyrat · 04/05/2009 08:58

I second KingCanute. Sensible words.

KingCanuteIAm · 04/05/2009 08:55

Penelope Racher West with Racher being a second name not a double barrel. I know this is not something you will believe or want to hear at this point but it really is better for a child to carry a mothers name if you are not sharing a family surname. The registrar tried to tell me this when my dd was little but I didn't listen (as I was all glowing and happy). I regret it now.

Disenchanted3 · 04/05/2009 08:55

Which ever is her Dads surname if you don't want to double barell it.

DuffyFluckling · 04/05/2009 08:55

Racher as a second name will always be 'corrected' to Rachel.

My surname is one letter away from a name that everyone recognises and people just CANNOT help themselves from correcting it. Even if they have just seen me write it .

QOD · 04/05/2009 08:52

pitstop for sure

DamonBradleylovesPippi · 04/05/2009 08:48

I vote for Penelope Racher West too.

Umlellala · 03/05/2009 21:47

We have done that too (my surname as second middle name), Penelope Racher West would be nice.

BarcodeZebra · 03/05/2009 21:41

I have my Mum's maiden name as a second middle name. My DW has kept her maiden name so our kids have two middle names the second of which is her surname. When they grow up they can decide for themselves. I'm with juule though. I think the whole family should change by deed poll to Pitstop.

nowwearefour · 03/05/2009 21:37

west

melpomene · 03/05/2009 21:27

West. Won't get misheard or misspelled, and it flows better. Long forename goes better with a short surname.

Tidey · 03/05/2009 18:26

If you got married, would you take your partner's name? If so, it would make sense if she had your DP's name. I think West sounds better with the name Penelope, but Racher-West sounds nice too.

juuule · 03/05/2009 18:12

This is why it's easier if you both had the same surname.

"We don't have an emotional attachment to either of them"
Why not decide on one surname and all of you just use that.

Podrick · 03/05/2009 18:02

Racher is nicer

FWIW I think it is sensible for children to have the mother's name since the mother is usually the one to have most contact with school and also if the parents ever split the kids are more likely to stay with the mother - far easier if they have matching names therefore...the patriarchal "take the father's name" approach just doesn't add up imo.

Ivykaty44 · 03/05/2009 17:50

West - easy to spell

DamonBradleylovesPippi · 03/05/2009 17:48
Hmm
Tortington · 03/05/2009 17:45

the kid should have the dads name imo

Surfermum · 03/05/2009 17:44

I'd go for Racher because it's less common. And I mean more unusual before I offend someone!

SpaceTrain · 03/05/2009 17:40

I vote West too

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