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

[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 :)

[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.

[JudeFawley]

Low rent. Hate 'em.

Gypsy Kate?

[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.

[baskingseals]

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

[deste]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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!

[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)

[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'.

[mysweetie]

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

[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.

[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.