Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Horrid surname with teasing potential

60 replies

ihatemysurname · 27/05/2009 12:19

Hello, pls be kind, cus my lovely Lancashire DH takes this very personally, but our surname is Rimmer.

He's teased a fair bit for its sexual conocations (more so down here in Bristol than up North), but obviously there are worst names and our DCs are unlikely to experience that until secondary school. However, it's proving extremely difficult for us to pick a name for our first baby, who is due to arrive VERY SOON.

So, my question to you, the mumsnet jury is, which of the following boys and girls names softens the blow most effectively? And do any of them make it sound even WORSE? (pls restrain from any real hooting ladies, I'm a little fragile today). Thank you!

Alicia Rimmer
Ellie Rimmer
Scarlett Rimmer

Jonathan Rimmer
Reuben Rimmer
Cassius Rimmer

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Tambajam · 28/05/2009 07:07

I would avoid Scarlett for reasons mentioned above and an A initial and Reuben Rimmer would be off my list. I would be fine with the rest.

ilovesprouts · 28/05/2009 05:36

i dont think your surnames that bad at all

nooka · 28/05/2009 04:55

Something unusual would be best, then the surname will be less used. To me Rimmer will always be Red Dwarf, but I am sure that is now fairly irrelevant Not sure about Cassius though.

Nahui · 28/05/2009 03:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Califrau · 28/05/2009 03:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thumbwitch · 28/05/2009 02:07

agree that Scarlett sadly makes it worse. Even more so if the middle name started with a T.

Don't like Reuben with it either.

Isabel better than Isabella (too many syllables)

nothing beginning with A, T or G, or in fact any other letter that makes an obvious word. DEFINITELY not G - G.Rimmer, bad.

AitchTwoOh · 28/05/2009 01:46

well hello mrs rimmer. i see your foray into text speak didn't last long.

you know, your own name does sound a lot nicer if you drop an m and pronounce it rhymer...

MissSunny · 28/05/2009 01:35

Message withdrawn

Wolfblass · 27/05/2009 22:41

My dp's surname is Wellard - so another harsh name. Although not rude still very laughable to some people, Although he nor his siblings ever got bullied because of it. But people i know think it's Hilarious.

Definately not Jonathon (Johnny Rimmer??)

Love Isabel or Isobel (crikey but then just thought Bell Rimmer)

stripeypineapple · 27/05/2009 14:47

Rimmer isn't that bad at all.

Of the names you've suggested I'd go for either Jonathan or Alicia.

I knew a family whose name was Pusey, they pronounced it puzee.

Be thankful it isn't any worse.

jellybeans · 27/05/2009 14:37

I like these..

Alicia Rimmer
Ellie Rimmer
Jonathan Rimmer
Cassius Rimmer

Not Scarlett or Reuben with your surname. Ellie and Jonathon my faves.

mollyroger · 27/05/2009 13:41

I think you also have to accept that children can be foul and if they have a mind to, will turn the most innocent-sounding name into an insult. I remember a school friend being driven to distraction by a boy turning her very common no-nonsense surname (harrison) into hairy scum and hairy bum..

MrsASHLEYBanjo · 27/05/2009 13:32

Eizaque?

totalmisfit · 27/05/2009 13:29

what about a name that's so unusual or so beautiful that the surname gets overlooked altogether? can't think of any offhand but someone else might be able to...

SoupDragon · 27/05/2009 13:24

Not Reuben. Too many Rs

Isabel is better than Isabella.

PuppyMonkey · 27/05/2009 13:21

Is Rimmer a rude word? I just thought it was the character from Red Dwarf.

NorkyButNice · 27/05/2009 13:18

Alicia could be turned into ALicker by teenagers with overactive imaginations... if you're worried about Rimmer then I'm not sure I'd add that into the mix.

beanieb · 27/05/2009 13:16

I wpouldn't go for anything begingin with an A to be honest.
A Rimmer.

MrsASHLEYBanjo · 27/05/2009 13:15

Isabella is lovely but don't think it works with your agent noun (is that the right term?) name: "Is a bell a rimmer? No, it's a...."

sockmonster · 27/05/2009 13:12

Go with Isabella. I like it best out of the names you have listed for a girl and it is 4 syllables thus minimising surname impact and easy to pronounce.

sockmonster · 27/05/2009 13:10

Isabella is nice. As long as her middle names don't start with M and A

sorry sorry I'm too mean

It's nice. I think Scarlett Rimmer does sound too much like an adjective with that surname, sorry I didn't know it was your fav!

Hmm thing with Alicia is people will nearly always say 'aleeesha' and you will nearly always have to correct them.

OK I'm going to stop posting as I'm not being very helpful!!!

it's not as bad a surname as you fear, really.

Original poster
ihatemysurname · 27/05/2009 12:59

Ha, thanks sock, I have probably overblown it a bit in the maelstrom of pregnancy hormones.
The trouble is, Scarlett is my secret favourite

I prefer A-liss-cia too, as Aleeysa sounds too X-Factorish to me and I think it would drive me spare to have to correct it all the time.

Isabella Rimmer?

OP posts:
sockmonster · 27/05/2009 12:45

You don't want to get it!

See, lots of people haven't ever heard of it- panic over. Choose the name you like the best (other than Scarlett!)

thedolly · 27/05/2009 12:43

I don't get it

MrsASHLEYBanjo · 27/05/2009 12:40

God, that's a really common name around Southport. Teasing potential wouldn't have occurred to me since such a familiar name in the NW