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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Double barrelled names?

179 replies

CantFightTheBeat · 02/04/2021 21:52

Am I the only one to hate them?

Amelia-Rose or Lily-Mae etc. They’re everywhere. Someone I know recently revealed the name of their daughter and she was called similar to Amelia-Rose Mya Charlotte Smith, why so many god damn names for one kid.

I’ve also recently discovered double barrelled boys name are a thing like Charlie-James. I think I hate these more.

Please vote away and let me know if I’m unhinged.

OP posts:
OppsUpsSide · 03/04/2021 00:06

@whiteroseredrose that’s a failing of your system, not the people it is —inadequately— attempting to record.
@MollysMummy2010 I wouldn’t think ‘chav’, I might ask how they like to be addressed if I hadn’t already been told (teacher) but I would ask 1-2-1 not in a group.

MJ1979 · 03/04/2021 00:07

I'm in my 40s with a hyphenated name and I really don't like it. I get embarrassed when saying or hearing my name. It feels like a little girl's name. I was always called the full name growing up (I don't even respond if someone just says the first name - doesn't sound or feel like my name at all). Now all my friends call me by the initials, and only family/work call me by my full name. My own kids don't have hyphenated names.

TiredSloth · 03/04/2021 00:08

This is a mean-spirited, spiteful, nasty thread. @CantFightTheBeat* You should be ashamed of yourself for starting this These sort of threads always bring out the nasty judgemental, holier-than-thou individuals on mumsnet.

Hilarious how some people are calling people chavs and low-class for having 'certain types' of names, and yet some people on here are coming across as more low-class and way more 'common' than the people they are sneering at. I think a few people on this thread were raised in a barn!

This! Threads like this really get me down, just thinking that there are wannabe Katie Hopkins’ everywhere!

LostInABlizzard · 03/04/2021 00:09

You were obviously never a fan of The Waltons. Smile
Although only the male characters got hyphens.

OppsUpsSide · 03/04/2021 00:12

I'm in my 40s with a hyphenated name and I really don't like it.

I have a name that, to my mind weirdly, gets played around with a lot. People soon learn which variations I respond to.

stickygotstuck · 03/04/2021 00:12

I just thought hyphens were there to remind people that a person used both their fist and middle names.

It turns out they're a reason to frown upon some kids' names. Who knew! Hmm

DdraigGoch · 03/04/2021 00:14

@NotATomato

So so so common dull now.

Every other little girl in the playground has some combination of Evie/Eva/Isla/Ava/Lily/Millie/Ellie/Ella - Rose/Grace/May.

Even more irritating (irrationally maybe) when both names have to be said at all times.

How long will the school register take?
Whenthingsgobumpinthenight · 03/04/2021 00:19

Are they actually hyphenated or are just referring to what you hear parents say to their children? I constantly call my children by their full names when I want their full attention or they have not responded to me calling their name the first dozen times. They know I mean business when I say John Henry come here now. (not real name)

Firebird83 · 03/04/2021 00:20

They’re really chavvy, especially ones like Lexi-Mai or Lacey-Rae.

MollysMummy2010 · 03/04/2021 00:22

@OppsSidemyhead it is my name and you won’t be hearing it in a classroom soon as I am far too old. Only ever used by my mum but I just wondered.,,

MollysMummy2010 · 03/04/2021 00:25

And you can probably tell my age because I added my head on to the user’s name....dear god!

TiredSloth · 03/04/2021 00:26

@Firebird83 what exactly makes them ‘chavvy’?

Bouledeneige · 03/04/2021 00:27

I lived in the States for a while and there were so many. The worst I met was Mary Alice - she was called Malice by everyone.

earthyfire · 03/04/2021 00:48

hyphenated names are not for me, but each to their own. Doesn't impact me.

MrsDukeOfHastings · 03/04/2021 00:52

My name is hyphenated, obviously nothing i could have done about that 🤣, its not one of the most common names either, in fact I could take a guess that there isn't anyone that has my name or at least spelt the way mine is.

I never use it though, I always introduce myself as my first name and I'm only ever called by my first, I dont even think most people know my name is hyphenated but weirdly I quite like it. I feel like I have another identity when I use it 🤣

Teesel · 03/04/2021 01:08

I grew up with a very posh double barrelled surname dating to the 14th century. I was only one of I think 3 at school abs in the 80s it was a very exclusive club.

To be honest now I am married and have a single quite ordinary surname I am a bit relieved as the only children to have double barrelled surnames nowadays are those born to unmarried parents which has tipped the whole issue on its head and rendered doubled barrelled surnames quite the reverse of what they once were.

anyoldtime · 03/04/2021 03:01

Every other little girl in the playground has some combination of Evie/Eva/Isla/Ava/Lily/Millie/Ellie/Ella - Rose/Grace/May

The new Ellen/Louise/Marie type names? People get used to them, they arne't unexpected.

I think this is better than being given two completely unexpected names? E.g. I know someone named something along the lines of Laura-Rachel. It is sometimes hard enough to remember somebody's first name without there being two quite unexpected names. I thought Laura-Rachel would grow up and drop one of the names but she hasn't. That is her name and understandably that is what she likes everyone to call her.

Personally I'm not a fan of double names but my kids do have middle names which are also unnecessary really.

Alma2021 · 03/04/2021 05:55

[quote TiredSloth]@Firebird83 what exactly makes them ‘chavvy’?[/quote]

  1. The trend was initiated by “celebrities” and been taken over by wannabes
  2. You don’t find those made up hyphenated names in posh social circles
MySocalledLoaf · 03/04/2021 06:02

The number of people who don’t know the correct term for the thing they are using to feel better than other people is very revealing .

PutItInNeutral · 03/04/2021 06:12

I put this in the same category as people who don’t approve of same sex marriage. If you disapprove of same sex marriage, don’t marry someone the same sex.

If you disapprove of doubled barreled surnames, or don’t like hyphenated first names, don’t use them.

Then go on with your day.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 03/04/2021 06:14

@LostInABlizzard

You were obviously never a fan of The Waltons. Smile Although only the male characters got hyphens.
Mary-Ellen got a hyphen.
Smallonesaremorejuicy · 03/04/2021 06:19

I know of two boys named Sunny-Jim !

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 03/04/2021 06:22

In terms of double barrel, the only person I know of whos done thing recently is a chav who has an inferiority complex, thus trying to elevate herself.

In terms of hyphenated names, id be more keen if the same old ones werent trotted out all the time. They're just a bit dull.

CloudFormations · 03/04/2021 06:22

Sorry OP, people can name their children whatever they like, despite your own reservations

Of course they can - how is OP stopping them by expressing an opinion about it...?

OP I tend to agree - I rarely hear one I like, and because it’s such a trend at the moment I think many of them will sound very dated before long.

SundayBreakfast · 03/04/2021 06:27

Well, this is Mumsnet. Unless the chosen name came straight out of a Jane Austen novel you risk making the child a social pariah.

And don’t bother with non-British naming conventions, those don’t exist in the world of MN.