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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doable or cruel?

56 replies

ivenoideawhatimdoing · 10/08/2017 11:52

My husband and I have a double barreled surname, as does my eldest.

If we were to have another son I love the name Thomas, shortened to Tommy.

The only issue is that his dad's surname is a fruit and very similar sounding.

Could I get away with the name in theory Thomas 'Tommy' Evans-Berry (Not our surnames but similar).

Or am I asking for him to be made fun of?

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 10/08/2017 12:15

Mary Berry doesn't seem to have suffered from her name…

Her name isn't tomato Tommy.

Giraffey1 · 10/08/2017 12:19

Might be a girl if you are lucky enough to have DC no 2 .... then what????
Cherry Tom .... hmm, that way lies teasing ....

Original poster
ivenoideawhatimdoing · 10/08/2017 12:20

I hadn't even considered the connotation of Tomato! No way could I do that to my child. Definitely back to the thinking board... damn DH and his problematic name!

OP posts:
LadyOfTheCanyon · 10/08/2017 12:21

Oh thank Christ, I thought you were going to say he was called Tommy Bananas or something.
Tommy Cherry is pretty naff imo but Tom or Thomas are ok. As PPs have said he'll call himself whatever he wants when he's older anyway.

I went to school with an Andrew Cherry and he was teased enough for his surname as it was, without making him sound like a Children's TV presenter.

TwoDrifters · 10/08/2017 12:22

Soup this is true. I was just trying to think of others with "rhymey" sounding names.

AmyGardner · 10/08/2017 12:25

I know an Amy Cherry; not too different to Tommy Cherry, really. And I've never given it a second thought until now!

pictish · 10/08/2017 12:27

I immediatly thought Tommy Tomato too and was about to say, "nooo!!". Grin
Tommy Cherry is fine.

daisypond · 10/08/2017 12:28

But the surname would be Evans-Cherry or something like that, not just Cherry. It's completely different.

MsPassepartout · 10/08/2017 12:28

I'm not seeing what the problem is Confused

pictish · 10/08/2017 12:28

Not that I've ever met anyone with the surname Tomato...but you never know!

DonkeyOil · 10/08/2017 12:29

This has made me laugh so much Grin. Thanks for cheering me up! Not the name, op, but other posters guessing at what it might be!

Fwiw, I think Tommy/Tom/Thomas Cherry is fine. It's memorable, but nice at the same time. I'm sure he wouldn't have any problems at school.

Kittychatcat · 10/08/2017 12:30

Don't call him Tommy. Thomas or Tom is absolutely fine.

If you have a girl I'd avoid the names Scarlett, Summer, Lily, Daisy, Honey and Robyn Smile

Kittychatcat · 10/08/2017 12:34

Don't call a daughter Blossom

Talith · 10/08/2017 12:34

I'm sorry still in hysterics thinking of Tommy Tomato. Grin. That was my first thought!

That would have been a definite YABU but as it stands Tommy Cherry .... Borderline ok but teasing very likely so I'm on the fence.

Nearly10to9 · 10/08/2017 12:34

Halle Berry did ok...

Twistmeandturnme · 10/08/2017 12:39

I'm now wondering what the other part of the double-barrel is (and keeping my fingers crossed it's Black!)
Tommy Cherry is cute for a littlie and fine. As he grows if he doesn't like it he can become Tom or Thomas.

MrsOverTheRoad · 10/08/2017 12:41

Tom Cherry sounds great! As does Thomas Cherry. Like a Dickensian character.

GladAllOver · 10/08/2017 12:44

How about Ripe Cherry?

SistersOfPercy · 10/08/2017 12:50

I have a Thomas. In 24 years I don't think anyone called him tommy, though my lovely late fil used to call him tomato.
He's mostly known as Bert for reasons I don't need to go into.

I have a friend who's surname is an animal, let's say for example hedgehog. Her ds is named oscar hedgehog and that is a name that always makes me smile and I confess I do instantly think Blyton
(disclaimer not real name!)

MadMags · 10/08/2017 12:52

Aw, I think it's cute.

But only until he's like 6. Then he's in for a rough ride.

Original poster
ivenoideawhatimdoing · 10/08/2017 12:52

I was walking the dogs with my mum when pregnant with DS and was talking to my mum about how I liked the name Rosie but couldn't use it as it ended in ee.

She had to point out the connotation of a rosy cherry.

I swear I'm not normally this dim!

I could have ended up with a rosy cherry and a cherry tomato

OP posts:
ShotsFired · 10/08/2017 13:00

Well given that you can't dictate or enforce nicknames and shortenings, it's more than likely that your Thomas will end up being known as Biffer or Cracker or Maggie or something entirely random, which evolves from a memorable moment or happening in his life.

Or, if he is xyz Cherry, then more'n likely he'll be called Chezz or Berry.

If you like Thomas, just use it.

Seeingadistance · 10/08/2017 13:05

I thought you were going to say Tomato. That would have been worse.

I thought Tomato as well! That would be kind of awesome though - Tommy Tomato! Grin

thethoughtfox · 10/08/2017 13:14

Another vote for Tom Cherry or Berry.

amusedbush · 10/08/2017 13:17

My maiden name was Cherry and my uncle was Tommy Cherry.

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