Is it ever ok to hyphenate?

[MeantToStopAtTwo]

Are there any acceptable hyphenated names? Or are hyphens always a no-no?

How about Marie-Claire?

My opinion is that a hyphen between two separate names is ok is a bit country and western: Marie-Claire, Ann-Marie, Jo-Beth, Suzy-Lou. Hyphens between syllables is all wrong.

I think no.
Mare-Claire is a) French and b) a magazine.

I have to say it's not something I'd go for, but I do think there are some names which have become well established, like Mary-Rose, Anne-Marie, Mary-Lou and Marie-Claire. There is also a set of American names, like Billie-Jo or Mary-Jo.

It doesn't really work for boys, with the possible exception of John-Paul.

The hyphen is unnecessary imo - just call her Marie Claire.

I think they are fine as long as they don't sound too country and western, so Anne-Marie or Marie-Claire or Marie-Anne are fine but Sammy-Jo or Sue-Ellen are definitely not

I don't mind them on established names, as have been mentioned here, but I do think they're unnecessary. I have Mary Jane on my list, without the hyphen, and I would have thought that Mary Jane is such a well known name that anyone reading it would assume the two were together.
I don't think the same works for Marie Claire (maybe just because I think they work well on a first name, middle name basis thoguh), but you still don't need a hyphen.

However, some hyphen names do sound very country-and-western, and should be avoided, imo.

P.S. Marie Claire just makes me think of the magazine, and I don't even read it.

I like Anna-Maria, Maria-Luisa etc. The Spanish and Italian usage.

Otherwise hyphenated names all tend to have the 'Somthing-Mae' effect on me.

I think it's often a Catholic traditional thing, since it usually involves a version of Mary - even with boys as you get Jean-Marie. Of course Jean is almost always hyphenated with another name in France: Jean-Claude, Jean-Paul etc. So I do see it as "respectable" with certain names, but not when it seems random.

I like them, especially Sally-Ann, Anne-Marie, Mary-Lou, and Katie-Ann.

I also like Marie-Claire, but prefer Claire-Marie.

I have previously been told by mumsnet jury that they are rather naff though.

Not IMO

all four of my girls have hyphenated names and not one of them is a country and western or foreign name. Of course i am biast but i like them..eg my youngest Karla-Linzi. My little lad's name is not hyphenated tho as i dont think it works for boys

Karla-Linzi

go on, then, what are the others?

What about just removing the hyphen alltogether and making up a new name? Is that naff?
Eg Carrieanne (as in Marianne), Sarabeth?

Mostly no, but it depends imo, If it's French or Sainty then it's ok.

Anne-Sophie= ok

Sophie-mai = no

Charlotte-May = no

Anne-Charlotte = ok

Marie-Claire = not to my taste but ok

Marie-Louise = not to my taste but ok

this is just a feeling btw

Babybear - Karla-Linzi.... < does that still work?

Fine if you're French.

I too have 4 girls with hyphonated names.

Only if you are French.

Are you?

I think it is fine when they are under 5yrs but ten they grow out of it-unless French.

The Italians wouldn't hyphenate the 2 names. I don't think the French do either do they?

I think the old traditional Sarah-Jane etc is OK. Beyond that, not not never ever.

Does it MATTER?

My almost 13 year old has a hyphenated first name - and it is very unusual - and yes, you lot would scream laughing, but I don't care

They will generally drop the second one when older-too much of a mouthful.

Karla-linzi comes out as Kafka-Lines on my iPhone

I once had a friend who's siblings were all K names.

Katie, Kirsty, Keith, Kimberly and Kallum ( or Konnor )

I'm not a fan of hyphenated names. or mae/may/mai names. or entirely name up names.