Help me choose my own surname

[Providora]

I'm preparing to divorce, I stupidly changed my name on marriage because my father was an awful person and I didn't want to carry his name anymore.

Of course, now I don't want XH's name either and none of the names in my maternal line of ancestry really appeal. I've decided to create my own name that just mine, not attached to anyone else.

Can you help me with ideas? My rough criteria are:

• Shortish, easy to spell and pronounce, familiar but not super common.
• Flows nicely from a short first name ending with a vowel sound.
• Consistent with my English heritage.
• This is hard to articulate! - but something elegant, with a bit of gravitas, not extravagant or pompous.

Thank you!

What's your first name?

Swan?

Elmley
Marlowe
Fernhill
Chapel
George
Eade
Blyth
Aves
Hawthorn
Dawlish

I always think names that add up to an odd number of syllables sound best. So if your first name is 2 syllables like Emma or Anna, a one or three syllable surname. And it should start with a consonant with a vowel-ending first name.

Emma Grant
Emma Ross
Emma James
Emma Blythe

Anna Hamilton
Anna Cavedish
Anna Fitzgerald.

Or pick the name of a favourite book or movie character?

I second looking for inspiration from your favourite books.

I've often thought about doing this and if I ever did it would be 'Bennet' I just think it sounds lovely and goes with everything.

Cooper, Faulkner, Harlow.

How about your mums maiden name

'Windsor' would seem to match your criteria.

Just love Darling as a surname.

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

How about your mums maiden name

The OP says in her post that none of the surnames on her maternal side appeal to her.

Some interesting idea so far that have captured the sort of feel I'm after, thank you!

The suggestion of a book character is an excellent one, I'll have a think about that too.

I’ve always like Stone as a surname.
Or is there a town/village you’re fond of that you could adopt the name of?

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

'Windsor' would seem to match your criteria.

Is that even allowed? 😃

A friend chose part of a local beach name and it sounds brilliant with her name, and not so landmarky that its obviously named after that if that makes sense. Is there anywhere special to you?

Dove
Sherwood
Molyneux
Heath
Swift
Wren
Derbyshire (or amy county realky....).

Is that even allowed?

Barbara?

Lovelace, after Ada who invented computer programming.

Darling after Grace.

Parks after Rosa.

Sorry I'm inputting my own ideas of 'if you change a name you might as well have one that gives you a role model'.

Or inspiration / meaning of some kind

Janus is the name of the Roman god of beginnings and gateways.
Phoenix - self explanatory
Hope
Strong

Tate
Lord
Fenn
Bright
Granger
Jacobs
Love
Miles
Cleary
Kite

Wise / Wyse

Someone I know changed all their surnames to Rivers she had their first child

Hamilton
Austen
Atwood
Clements

Lumley
Baron
Byron
Astley
Montgomery (i know, not short. But i loved bewitched)
Rose

Hill
Swift
Rose
Steel
Brook

I know someone with the surname Bliss. Lots of people comment it's a lovely name

My great great great ... grandparents changed their name when they arrived in England. Like many they took the name of where they settled so became Bromley.

Are there any local towns that you like?