To "make up" a surname with my civil partner?

[ireallyshouldbeworking]

Partner and I are getting married next year (we are both women), and we were just discussing what our surname should be. It's important to me that when we are married we have the same name. Double barrelling isn't for me, and we don't want to choose mine or hers because our families might see that as choosing one family over the other. We tried to combine our names the other night, but can't make anything good with the letters! WWBU to just pick a name that we like, maybe a more distant name from one of our families or something, or would that be really weird? Do any of you know anyone in a similar position?

I think that's a really lovely idea!

There was a thread fairly recently where a poster was trying to choose a new surname, she had great taste in names. See if you can find it and ask her how she did it!

Congratulations. Just adding to the 'yes do it' brigade!! Wish I could disaagree with everyone just to be contravertial, but not going to happen this time!!

I know a couple who I think picked a grandparents name I think for both of them when they got married.

Congratulations! Yadnbu, sounds like a lovely idea.

I think its a brilliant idea!! When you think about it we do not get to choose our 'maiden' names and our married names are thrust upon us! so to be able to choose a name that means something to a couple and that they both like seems idyllic!! Just don't go for something too common but obviously not too obscure!! And remember if you spell a common name wrong creatively - you will always often have it misspelt and have to keep repeating it over and over on the phone!

I think this is normal in some countries (I'm trying to think where - maybe part of the CIS somewhere?). I think it's a lovely idea - chosing a name for your new family.

I think it's a great idea, my sister and her wife are doing this although it has taken them ages to pick a name!

I like the idea of a family name in common. Or a place that is special to you? Lots o place names make perfectly respectable surnames.

Congratulations btw

Sounds like a great idea.

I am curious - are you going to be Ms and Mrs or Mrs and Ms?

Surnames came about through jobs; cooper, smith, reive etc - anything that is common to both your line of work?

This reminds me of the Friends episode when Pheobe gets married and changes her name to "Princess Counseula Banana Hammock" and her husband Mike changes his to "Crap Bag". Any of those work for you? . Congratulations BTW

I know a couple (male and female) who made up a surname, worked for them. Also I remember one of my friends got civil partnered about 5 years ago & her registrar was all, "yay I love civil partnerships, the rules just aren't there yet, it's very free"

So... Do as you please.

It's sounds like a very good idea. But double barrelling is good too! What's the problem with it?

i think its a good idea and will probably catch on - kind of symbolises a break with the old life and moving into new roles.
congratulations, by the way.

Go for it! Chose something that is representative of something significant to you both, like the place you met or an interest you have in common.

I agree with you about double-barrelling - it's inconvenient to have a long name.

how about Buttout self explanatory (mmmh might use it myself !)

You could find a word like 'together' and find a foreign word for it - like juntos or sammen (from google translate) and use that.

Together is just an example, obviously!

My advice would be stick with double barrelled.
After 2 divorces I didn't want to go back to my maiden name so chose my mothers maiden name. Now with partner of 13 yrs with 2 DS and don't feel connected to anyone in name.
I appreciate you would both have the same name as would any children you may have but I think you may still feel a certain disconnection from your our family history.
I miss that sense of attachment by name.