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?

And NOT Mai. Definitely, definitely not Mai!

Yu do!'t have to love a name- don't make life difficult for yourself. Save the love for the baby. Find a name you like, which goes with your last name, which will suit an adult, and which will be OK for an 11 year old in his/her first year t secondary school to tell the enormous 13year old's in year 9. and which does not appear to mean anything rude. Oh,, and have a quick check that the initials don't spell anything rude either.

still snorting at the suggestion of Crystal ball and Bebe Bell here. Isabella Bell also probably a bad idea

Hmm, suppose it could be Bill, Bull or Boll.

Teri Bull
Rose Boll...

Can't believe the seemingly genuine suggestion of Hannah! Hannah Ball the cannibal

OP I sympathise, my colour surname is a right PITA

Emily
Edith
Emma
Verity
Juliet
Anna

Actually not Anna!

Thanks for your suggestions and advice. Our name has an 'a' in the middle so very awkward. We are starting to like Megan and Annie - do these go ok with our surname? I am beginnning to think everything makes a phrase.

Annie B@ll sounds a bit like animal or Hannibal said by a cockney... That said, have a look in one of the online census databases - you'll come across plenty of Annie Balls. Don't suppose it did them any harm? It's easy to overthink these things...

Thanks Stellan, I hadn't really picked up on that one. Yes it is easy to overthink but at the same time we do seem to be hitting a brickwall with alraming regularity. What do you think to Megan? Could it sound like Mega B#ll/ Mega Bowl?

I'm thinking we will have to stick with the very traditional, classic names - which, although nice, aren't top of the list. Sigh.

if you had completely free choice, what would you have and then maybe we can find something similar. :)

Think there is a slight risk that Megan B@ll could sound like 'mega b@ll' or Megabowl. However, I would've thought that those kind of jokes are more likely for boys than girls.

It's not the best surname to work with but it could be worse! If you like Annie & Megan, you might like other names with a strong N sound:
Lauren
Alison
Lilian
Vivian/Vivienne
Merryn
Imogen
Marianne
Catrin
Jasmine
Jessamine
Ellen
Seren

I'd aim for a longer name which isn't easily shortened - Madeleine Ball sounds lovely but Maddie Ball doesn't. Something like Juliet, Helena, Rachel, Martha, Verity, Serena, Jemima, Cordelia? That said, Susannah or Susie Ball sounds fine to me, as does Matilda or Tilly Ball, so it's by no means a hard and fast rule.

Thanks amck
Alice (would end up as A B#ll)
Annie
Megan
Beatrice
Sally/ Molly (too many L sounds)
Hannah

All my favourites - all unsuitable!

I think names that end in a consonant sound make it less likely that the two will run together to make a word.

Marianne
Edith
Kiran
Alex

all seem fine. What other names do you like, in general?

what about Hester, Kirsty/Kirsten, Sophie, Mirren, Marnie, Esther, Alison?

They have a similar feel but I then they go okay with the surname.

There have been a few threads recently by someone with the same surname as you. I'm sure if you do a search for them you should find them. I'm pretty sure they were having a girl too.

• ooh or Amaris?

Ooh, I knew a Hester Ball!

Hi Elephants, thanks.

I like but don't love Elinor, Martha, Catherine (but Cathy, nooo), Cassie, Emma (lovely but know so many of my own age, it doesn't seem fresh to me), Emily (popularity does put me off a little bit), Erin (maybe too short with the surname).

I had considered Mia too but another phrase ... Me a b#ll!

here is the thread by the person with the same surname, some of those suggestions might help.

Josephine?

Id avoid anything starting with A as well.
A. Ball

And i really wouldn't name her Bouncy!

Or Hairy!

Or Rubber!

Or Foot!

Ok I'll stop now

(i do sympathise, we had a similar problem. We went for classic old names)

I think avoid anything ending with "a" (if your name is the large farmyard animal, haven't read the whole thread). We had to rule out quite a few names as our surname is double barrelled, so that was quite annoying, especially as everything , however silly, works with my maiden name. Also certain names did sound like diseases. Dd2 was six weeks old before she had a name...it is hard. But she loves her name, and it suits her, and although I have the odd pang for the ones we couldn't use, i think we made a good choice.