How to choose a name with just this one criteria

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We have to pick a name to go with our awkward surname. This is our one and only criteria. Problem is, we know we are going to end up with a name we would not have chosen had our surname been something more reasonable different.

How do we start? Do we make lists and then go through each others lists ruling names out? It all seems sadly clinical. Is it ok to end up picking a name is just suitable rather than one you love?

Did anyone else have to choose a name based on what went with their family name?

My DC have a pretty awful surname and my criteria for choosing a name was that it was unslaggable, a nice ordinary name. I've no regrets.

Liking your thinking Maryz

I'm really [boggle] at the thought that there can be no name that you love that is suitable?

It has to be said that arranged marriages with a name can still end up with a love match. We had all sorts of criteria for a name and had to rule out loads, but once we had found the one that fit every criterion we loved it instantly.

"Do we make lists and then go through each others lists ruling names out?"

Yes, why not? It doesn't have to be "clinical", if you think of it as a practical and fun way to reach your goal by expressing your preferences and reaching a compomise.

Can you tell us anything more about your surname? First letter, number of syllables? And what sort of names do you like? You'd get lots of suggestions here if you wish.

And yes, if you reach a compromise then this is fine. It will become your son/daughter's name and you will love it!

Our surname is also a word, which means some names make a phrase which would sound stupid. It also begins with a vowel, which means if the first name ends in a consonant, it seems to attach itself to the surname. There were lots of names we liked but just couldn't use, but we did still manage to find a name we both liked. We didn't make lists as such, I did write down names as I thought of them but once DP had suggested the name we eventually went with, none of them were really contenders.

Thank you for your advice so far, it's been helpful.

Happy and Donkey - were the names you finally chose ones you loved or did they need to grow on you?

Joan - we had found the one that fit every criterion we loved it instantly - thanks, that's given me a new perspective.

Like DonkeyTeapots, our surname is also a word and some names make a phrase - unfortunately most of these names are our favourites. Our name is one syllable, starts with B and ends in LL.

Any suggestions to go with aforementioned awkward name are very welcome!

Felix
Stephen
Linus

Gabriella
Maxine
Juliet

You'll have a gut reaction when you meet the baby, I'm sure. Don't overthink it - a name will just feel right.

Our surname is a body part which meant some names sounded like diseases.

Seems to be easier with boys than girls, we have 2 dds and managed to find names that we love!

Johnny for a boy and Zoe for a girl?

To be honest there weren't any names that I LOVED. My friend had a little girl just before I did, and she'd had her daughter's name picked out since she was about 12! All the names I liked back then make me cringe now!

The name we went with is a name that I had always liked though, that I associated with elegance and femininity. It's a name that is not overly popular, but not unheard-of either.

It really was a nightmare, we didn't want to use any names already in the family, or anything that sounded too close to family names, or anything too popular at the moment, and then adding on our surname issues meant we didn't have many to choose from!

at Scaredy

Liberty is a lovely name, or Bebe.

Daniel
William
Christopher
Oliver
Zachary
Lawrence
Harrison
Joshua
Matthew
Elliot
George
Julian
Charles
Peter

Emily
Sophie
Charlotte
Natasha
Meredith
Holly
Imogen
Jennifer
Violet
Hermione
Coralie
Felicity
Naomi
Katherine

Thanks again everyone, keep them coming please. Should have mentioned - we're having a DD!

Elizabeth
Catherine
Louisa
Lauren
Emma
Emily
Hannah
Natalie
Beverley
Bethany
Rachel
Hayley
Scarlet
Crystal
Lucy
Grace
Kathleen
Helen
Tiffany
Kimberly
Eleanor
Christine
Dawn
Mary

Hermione
Matilda

What are the names you like but can't use, that'll give a bit of an idea of what your taste is?

Our surname is spelled in three syllables and pronounced in two! My first name is four syllables. My DH and his sisters have names of one syllable. DD and DS have two syllable, classic names. They both like them. They were names I had always liked amongst many others - they were the names DH and I agreed on

An unusual name might compound the problem? I think you need something that is definitely and obviously a well established name.

Many lovely suggestions already. How about:

Alexandra, Charlotte, Tabitha, Penelope, Christina, Helena, Saskia, Georgina, Rosalind, Cecilia?

Damn, x posted with your request for two syllables!

How about: Celia, Julia, Louisa, Megan, Ellen, Helen, Rosa, Mary, Janet, Frances, Manon, Clara, Mabel?

Alice, Emma, Louise, Flora, Evelyn, Laura, Clara, Chloe, Susan, Joy, Martha, Poppy, Daisy, Kate, Mai, Lydia, Lily, Grace, Kirsty, ......

Nonnononono Married! Flora Ball? Joy Ball? NO!