Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

If you could change your surname to anything, what would you pick?

125 replies

NameChangerGameChanger2 · 30/12/2023 16:45

My maiden name was relatively rare, but easy enough to spell etc - I had no great desire to hang on to it and adopted my husband’s name without even thinking of not doing so.

But teenage me always wanted a surname beginning with a B, as I loved signing the letter B! So I always imagined fancy surnames like Baudelaire, or even a standard Ballantine.

Now, if I were choosing, I think I would go for something a bit quirky - I dunno, Midwinter or Evensong or something.

OP posts:
CheersToAMerryChristmas · 30/12/2023 23:14

I kid DH that I only married him for his surname, which has appeared on this thread a few times. It's a goody.

DeniseLucy · 30/12/2023 23:15

MrsDilligaf · 30/12/2023 18:41

I went through a phase as a kid of telling everyone my name was Jemima Kirkpatrick (Slightly outing...) not so keen on Jemima these days but I still like Kirkpatrick.

My first boyfriend was a Kirkpatrick !

bearfood · 30/12/2023 23:22

My maiden name has appeared on this thread :)

I have one of the most common surnames in the UK through marriage but my maiden name is more fancy.

I LOVE Costello, also Montague and anything with 'Van de' prefixing it.

AreYouThereDog · 30/12/2023 23:23

MadeOfAllWork · 30/12/2023 23:04

My original name was very long and although it was very English no one could ever spell it. So I said that I would only ever marry a man who had 5 letters or less in his name. My first boyfriend had a Greek surname but every single boyfriend after that only had 5 letters. My surname now is 5 letters long but no one can spell that bastard either.
DH likes my original name so we are thinking of both changing to that in a few years for our silver wedding anniversary.

I once taught two boys who were great friends. One had the surname De’ath and the other was L’Strange. They sounded like they should be TV detectives.

I know a Lydia L’Strange. Best name ever. She should definitely be a femme fatale in a film noir.

Airyfairy99 · 30/12/2023 23:26

Bowes-Lyon

Pudmyboy · 30/12/2023 23:31

I met someone years ago whose surname was (and presumably still is) King. But neither parent had that name, no family history connection to that name.....his parents were hippies and wanted their child to have a magnificent surname rather than their everyday names. Plus on the school register the teacher would call out 'King, Brian*' which they thought would give him a boost socially.
He didn't mind and it didn't affect his life one way or another.
*Not his real first name

Observatusapluribusofficinis1 · 30/12/2023 23:34

Bristo,

As in Tv series Alias

Observatusapluribusofficinis1 · 30/12/2023 23:35

Pudmyboy · 30/12/2023 23:31

I met someone years ago whose surname was (and presumably still is) King. But neither parent had that name, no family history connection to that name.....his parents were hippies and wanted their child to have a magnificent surname rather than their everyday names. Plus on the school register the teacher would call out 'King, Brian*' which they thought would give him a boost socially.
He didn't mind and it didn't affect his life one way or another.
*Not his real first name

Hail to the king

SerafinasGoose · 30/12/2023 23:50

Observatusapluribusofficinis1 · 30/12/2023 23:34

Bristo,

As in Tv series Alias

Oooh no! Derevko is far cooler ...

vinoandbrie · 31/12/2023 00:26

Cavendish.

lollipoprainbow · 31/12/2023 00:44

Monroe

Aplaceinthecold · 31/12/2023 03:46

My unmarried name was very boring and I like my married name but it has connections to some utter scumbags.
I have always loved the surname Anderson and would change it if I have the energy.

Stresa22 · 31/12/2023 03:54

Rocksavage

WGACA · 31/12/2023 04:01

McElhone

Mairzydotes · 31/12/2023 08:59

And I forgot Cooledge , like Jennifer, which fits my method for choosing names.

Papergirl1968 · 31/12/2023 14:58

SunflowerSeeds123 · 30/12/2023 22:30

My ex knew a Dr De'ath. He was a local GP. I thought it was hilarious!

My friend's GP is Dr Kneebone!

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 31/12/2023 15:10

SorrowsPrayers · 30/12/2023 20:32

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain
Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax.

Are you in Dorset? Love that surname

Nope, but always for some reason remembering DF laughing at the name and it stuck in my mind. It's the full family name of Richard Drax MP.

Papergirl1968 · 31/12/2023 15:11

Another friend's surname is Wood, first name similar to Sarah or Louise, so very ordinary but attractive enough and classless. I've always been slightly jealous as I don't like either my first name or surname. My surname is a bit masculine, I think.
I like Devereaux - sounds French and slightly exotic. Evans is ok, or Williams, Hamilton, Lewis, Thomas etc. Not so keen on Smith or Jones. Wouldn't choose to be Mcsomething or Macsomething as you'd always have to clarify which one it was.
I like O'Hara, O'Connell and similar O'something Irish names.

Simonjt · 31/12/2023 15:16

SunflowerSeeds123 · 30/12/2023 22:30

My ex knew a Dr De'ath. He was a local GP. I thought it was hilarious!

Melton Mowbray?

HottestEverRecordedTemperature · 31/12/2023 15:19

Anyone CAN change their name at any stage- just pointing it out for people who regret being 'stuck' with a name.

DH's surname is lovely so I use that one. I also use my 'maiden' name sometimes . But if i wanted a third name I would go for something like 'De Montfort'.

TigerRag · 31/12/2023 15:19

Something people can actually spell and pronounce... It's English / Scottish and people still get it wrong.

marshmallowfinder · 31/12/2023 15:36

Faulkner is my favourite.

Pixiedust1234 · 31/12/2023 15:37

I was hoping for some inspiration from this thread but despite them being lovely the majority are crossed out because I would either have to spell them to others or change my first name too.

Hate my maiden name, plus had to spell it out.
Hate my married name, plus have to spell it out.
All maternal names have to be spelt out except one, which doesn't go with first name.

Perhaps I need to change both. Hello, my name is Fox. Cute Fox. Grin

Justleaveitblankthen · 31/12/2023 16:19

Well Joyce Penelope Wilhelmina Frankenberg changed her name to Jane Seymour when she became an Actress 😁

I love Italian names and, as I have only ever heard of one other, It would have to be Travolta 🕺

medianewbie · 31/12/2023 16:33

OldTinHat · 30/12/2023 18:58

I've had six name changes. Once was opening up the phone book and sticking in a pin!

@OldTinHat - have you really ?
My 'maiden'/birth name ended up being double barrelled as my Mother kept changing her mind about who my Father was (pre quick/easy DNA tests) I am Divorcing next year but don't want to go back to double barrelled (or either half of it). I might choose a brand new name, just for me (aged 55!)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page