Serving DCs up on a plate for the bullies with naming blunder?

[namingblunder]

Need your kind but honest opinions please...
We have stupidly named both our kids a dodgy initial/surname combo. (similar to S.Hit or T.Watt but would rather not state). Ignored family/friends advice but now really regretting it. Name change is seeming like the obvious solution. Kids both v young still (under 5) Husband happy for us to all change our surname to something else. It will be a hassle but worth it to protect DC's from a lifetime of teasing.
Or am I worrying about nothing? Are kids at school/people later in life really that cruel?
What do you think?
THanks.

Could you slightly change the spelling of your surname, like Watt > Whut?

state it - go on!

No seriously don't worry!

Our surname? Wellard - OH hates it (all the connotations in the 90's with the dog in Eastenders, the fact we as adults get Well Hard and that he is built like a brick sh*t house rugby player don't help). We've also been refused Taxi's and not had restaurant bookings taken seriously as people think we are taking the piss!

The kids in the family? No problem whatsoever - it's adults that seem cruelest not the kids! So long as they grow up to not give a damn don't worry!

Although i did have a friend at college Aaron Hiscock changed his name and Ahmed Misched changed his too! Surprisingly 2 guests i had at a hotel chain i was a manager in didn't - Dick Skinner and Willy Rash - atlhough they were American (and this thread is NO Joke!) - i could name many others, most don't seem phased (Snow White, Mary Lamb i could go on!)

I've known 2 Michael Hunts and a John Thomas.

Also know a Nick Crooks - yes he is a policeman and a Richard Head.

It's funny for a momment but that's all.

Am loving WELLARD. I'd love that surname.

From what you've said, yes I think it would be a good idea to change surname. Names are for life and so it will be worth it for the long term I think.

I LOVE IT TOO WetAugust - i changed ny name by deed poll to it 3 months ago even though we've been together 12 yrs and not yet married - i wanted in on it - i was jealous! Ha ha! x

Oh and Richard Head Michael Hunt

Oh and just to add my original initials were RC and i was nicknamed ARSEY at college

But because i was always an nn with a midle name beginning J i also got BJ at secondary school (and the variations with it Blow Job Queen (dah dee dah dee dah!)

so there you have it

Arsey or
BJ (or blow job )
for an otherwise normal respectable name

I think kids will find any reason to 'bully' another kid anyway - if its not the name it will be because he wears glasses or has ginger hair or likes Chelsea instead of Arsenal etc etc.

'Normal' names can easily be adapted to be used as a way of teasing someone anyway if they are really intent on doing so as Hold says above.
I knew a Richard Cole who got the same 'Arsey' treatment as Hold - though he was never called Dick which seemed the more obvious option to me!!

Our surname is very unusual and always raises a chuckle (and an eyebrow!) whenever we first mention it but I like - its our family name and I wouldnt change it for the world. Besides, after the initial reaction (which lasts all of 1 millisecond) its never mentioned again.

Lots of names have 'silly' connotations or a teasable. As others have said, a child is teased not because of his/her name but because it lets itself be teased. Give your children confidence and they won't care about having a silly name combo - in fact, it will become a 'cool' talking point.

Hyphenate your two original names?

My DS is Guy and when I named him in 1970 the word gay just meant happy but by the 80's when he went to secondary school it was a different story.....

My dad is called Joe King. I don't think he's ever forgiven his father for that (also called Joe King so you think he'd know the inevitable grief that results)

Like the idea of double barreling your surnames...

Yes kids are that mean but come on it is funny my friend has ignored my advice and has a DD initials BJ will show her this thread to show her error of ways!!

Changing the surname seems an extreme move if it's only potentially embarrassing when combined with a particular initial. I assume the kids' names both start with the same letter?

I think I'd let it go. If it was me, I'd make a point of always signing with all my initials, never just the first and last (although I actually only have one forename, so I hope your kids have middle names). They will learn to laugh it off if whenever anyone picks up on it. Tiresome, but if it's not that it'd be something else.

I'd change it,somehow,spelling,hyphenate....something...

Change it. Part of mynchildren's last name is easily changed to something vaguely rude and it's a serious pain in the neck. Fortunately they have never been the target of bullies- but if they hand, their name would hqve made them miserable instead of just a bit pissed off.

One boy was starting to use it against dd a bit- but fortuntely I could point out to her that someone with the last name Piles should probably be a bit Darryl when picking on someone else's name!

I went to school with an Andrew and Paul Nurse and it didn't take too long for us all to work out that was A Nurse and P Nurse (say it fast!). Although it's funny aged 13, I don't imagine it causes any problems for adults, really....

I knew a Tammy and a will Holder at school and a Peter stains and his sister Tracy

Funny, and yes, they were teased

Can you all change to your surname-ie maiden name?
I do work with a woman whose initial added to her surname raises a laugh and people do mention it a lot to her.
Your kids will have to live with it for a long time if you don't change.

Hyphenate your two surnames, with yours first.

I know someone called who goes through life as Mr P Sample. Honestly, not a word of a lie!

Of all the initials his parents could have chosen.

D

I love the idea of being able to change a surname to one that you really like and have actively chosen yourselves. I say go for it.

My friend changed his last name when he was in his 20's, because he didn't like the original one. Everyone soon got used to it.