Hyphenated names: yes or no? And why?

[MolotovBomb]

Just a quick one really, I'm interested in your opinions re. the subject line.

My question is prompted by another thread on here called 'Names like Ella-May' as well as some others on MN where one can often see a strong aversion to hyphenated names.

Why?

I know a 4yo with an absolutely beautiful hyphenated name, IMO: Heidi-Rose. Everyone compliments her and her mum about he pretty name (it's not me or either of my DDs, btw!)

So, if you like 'em - why? And if not, why?

TIA

[sashh]

I just don't see the point, you can just use two names, and it is easier to drop one if it is not hyphenated.

I knew a Jo-Anne, the hyphen only seemed to be there to change the spelling.

[mathanxiety]

I think I agree with you, it's not the hyphen, it's the actual names used on either side.

For instance Marie-Helene is lovely (imo) but Lacey-Jai (as you say) is not.

Fraktion:
'I see a huge difference between Anne-Sophie and Sophie-May, Marie-Christine and Christine-Amelia. But then it may be from living somewhere that sees hyphenated names as entirely normal for certain (read old, Catholic) families.'

I agree with this too. Such hyphenated names are all over my extended family.

I knew a Mary-Clare, a Marie-Louise, a Jane-Chantal, a Lucy-Anne, a Jane-Marie and lots of Anne-Maries growing up in Ireland, which seems to follow a more French trend when it comes to hyphens.

[mysweetie]

I think Heidi-Rose is nice but "it" being hypenated..Im having second thought on it...It somehow get confusing.

[qumquat]

A current trend seems to be to put name together as one word. I teach an EmilyRose and a LilyMay. I find hyphenated or double names far too cutesy and twee for my taste, but each to their own, I wouldn't judge anyone for them or think they were 'trailer trash'.

[VBisme]

But there are some traditional hyphenated names. I worked with a Sarah-Jane and that's what everyone called her.

However the very girly hyphenated names are a bit twee (and American)

[Lily15]

Ah well I always thought Hypenated first names were all awful. Until I had my first DD. And yep she's got one of her own! It came about from me and DH not agreeing and loving both names so much ( so previous posters you were right in my case at least!) Together imo her name is beautiful. We get comments on how pretty it is all the time and it suits her perfectly.. I won't lie she has all sorts of nicknames as kids do but the family don't shorten it often, neither do her school friends or teachers. It doesn't bother me when people write they're Chav, trailer park ( some are!!!) there are plenty of single names I think are horrible!

[LittlePea14]

My name's hyphenated and I love it!! The second part's Louise but I only use the first part. I have it written in full on my 'formal' documents.

I think it depends on what names you put together - but they definitely don't all sound like trailer trash!

x

[SpookyAndFrights]

I have four daughters each with hyphenated names and we use both names at school and about 90% of the time at home. We are certainly not trailer trash.

[fraktion]

I'm glad we scrape by on the über-traditional French card All of DH's family are hyphenated (and all have Marie in there, even the boys).

It does totally depend on the name. Generally if it starts Mary/Marie/Anne/Louise and it's a cultural tradition or if it's a saint's name (Francois-Xavier/Jean-Baptiste) or basically it's listed in the French baby names book then it's okay. If it's not then it does have trailer trash feel.

I see a huge difference between Anne-Sophie and Sophie-May, Marie-Christine and Christine-Amelia. But then it may be from living somewhere that sees hyphenated names as entirely normal for certain (read old, Catholic) families.

[JollyJackOLantern]

My first and middle names could go together to make a hyphenated name. It upsets me when people ask for my full name then assume there's a hyphen.

If there was a hyphen I would have told you.

That's why I don't like hyphenated names. I would have to say the hyphen when explaining. So I'd say "this is my daughter, Mary hyphen Jane". Not worth the hassle imo.

[deste]

We have a friend late thirties still called Sarah-Jane by her parents, I just cringe every time they mention her name.

[baskingseals]

yep Gypsy Kate - don't you have just the tiniest bit of admiration for that?

[weasle]

100% no.

I meet lots of people at work and can't help but notice their name and make assumptions. Beryl/ Doris/ Ronald = born 1920-30s. Barbara / Janet/ Shirley 1940s. Tracy / Gary/ Julie 1960s etc.

Hyphen = a bit precious, 1970s onwards. Not common before then I don't think.

[JudeFawley]

Low rent. Hate 'em.

Gypsy Kate?

[baskingseals]

well i quite like them.

some can be very pretty. i don't like the ubquitous lily, rose, may or grace though. i know a Gypsy Kate and think it's rather lovely.

[schroedingersdodo]

Heidi-Rose is vile.

Personally, I hate hyphenated names and think they make life more complicated (forcing people to remember two names and having to use both of them all the time).

But if hyphenating names makes you happy, go for it. I don't think people should change their minds because of a bunch of opinionated strangers in the internet :)

[MadStaringEyes]

I don't like them much because my memory is awful. I find it hard enough to remember one name per person.

Presented with 4 people with 8 names, I won't have a chance in hell, but with 4 names I'll scrape by.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Ah see when discussing hyphenated names I generally think of hideous Ellie-May combos favoured by er...chavs isn't allowed is it? :/

French names like Jean-Paul (I knew one once actually) don't register as being the same as the above at all!

[Cahoots]

I don't like hyphenated first names. I think they sound too twee and too pretentious. They are ok if you are French though.

[javotte]

marinebleu I think it is true for traditional names such as the ones you mentioned. There are now lots of French Lili-Roses, Lili-Jades, Lou-Annes etc. which are NOT bourgeois names at all.

[MolotovBomb]

The cultural differences are interesting: such as hyphenated names being commonplace in France. Here in the UK, there appears to be a gulf: hyphenate names are seen as either 'trashy', 'sickly sweet' or at the other end 'pretentious'.

This last point is interesting as I was talking to a lady the other week who has two daughters. Both girls names were almost hyphenated, but they decided against it, both times, as they were about to register the births because they were worried the names would be considered "pretentious".

The lady was saying how she and her DH regret that now and insist on the girls having 'Firstname-Middlename' on all their schoolwork!

[Viviennemary]

I don't like the ones where each name is a shortened version of a proper name. They are a bit twee and American. I always think Ellie-May Clampett. Not sure if it was hyphenated though! But I think if each name is a full name they are nice. Like in France where you have Mary ... And a very long time ago Catholic countries put Mary even in front of boys names. Don't know if they still do.

[amck5700]

My only view is that it is a PITA if you work with one and have to email them :) I have one colleague who has a hyphenated name, both names have more than one spelling and her surnames can have an apostrophe in it - it's a bloody lottery whether you actually get the name correct. That's mainly because the IT bod making up the address will use his own set of rules as to whether to use the hyphen or not, to use the apostrophe or not - just depending on the mood he or she happens to be in.

[PhyllisDoris]

I know Marinebleu - weird isn't it. I'm always impressed that French people call people by their full name, even if there are two hyphonated ones, and very rarely shorten them. Complete opposite to UK.

[MJandherdog]

He he he Snowflake- I also associate them as being thick. I will be struck down one day I know it!