Compatible with our surname?

[ImaginaryHat]

Hi. Hubby and I are currently ttc dc1 and conversation has inevitably turned to baby names.

Our surname is one of the most common around: Lee.

This obviously rules out any names which end with a 'lee' sound, Holly, Julie, Harley etc (plus a load of others, including anything ending in -bel, l, and anything which when combined with surname sounds like another word e.g. Mary).

My question is, do you think we also need to rule out names ending in an 'e' sound. Names like Zachary, Ivy, Harry? They're slightly are slightly ryhmey but do you think too much so to use?

Were already having to rule out a lot of names so don't want to discount another group if were just being stupid! Would love to get some opinions! Thanks

I think you'd be ok with 3 syllable "ley" names, but not shorter. Of your list, Zachary Lee sounds fine to me, Ivy or Harry Lee, more of a mouthful.

I would avoid -y or -ee ending names. Names like Mary Lee or Harry Lee just don't sound great imo. Personally I would choose a 2 syllable name that doesn't inevitably get shortened (we have a short surname too). I would choose something like

Reuben Lee
Quentin Lee
Florence Lee
Merryn Lee

Thanks, its great to get some feedback. I think you're right about the shorter names, glad to hear you think Zachary sounds fine though as I love it! Also its a good idea for us to think about names that don't get shortened, dh's does and I do agree it sounds a bit odd when said in conjunction with surname. Great name suggestions bananarama!

Go for a longer name which you can shortern as a nn. Zachary is great!

also
Alexander
Thomas
Matthew
Ferguson (Gus)

girls
Florence
Beatrice
Jemima

oops missed Bananaramas Florence!

Zak Lee

But Beatrice might become Bea Lee !

Zak lee isn't great, nor is Matt Lee or Tom Lee imo - it sounds like Matly or Tomly...

Beatrice could also be Trixie.
Matt, Matty. Tbf the times when you get called your NN, does anyone then put your surname on the end? no. Surnames are tagged onto full names.

I never thought of Zach Lee = exactly, it doesn't in my accent/the way I say it, but there's no reason why a ds wouldn't move to somewhere that it does so probably have to count that out too, rubbish! That's the trouble, there's loads of beautiful names but when shortened they sound stupid with 'Lee'. Stupid dh

You could name your DC Dairy or change your surname?

Ooh gosh i see what you mean it is a tough name to match, i think most 'ee' names might sound strange but no need to discount them all, you might find one that works.

Here's some i like:

Samantha Lee
Harriet Lee
Megan Lee
Erica Lee
Francesca Lee
Georgia Lee

Edward Lee
Francis Lee (long as you don't shorten to Frank!)
Rowan Lee
Oscar Lee
Michael Lee

Ooh also really like Vivienne Lee - she sounds like a super classy lady!

And for a boy, Sebastian Lee.

I think names that end in a strong sound like 'n' work well. For a boy I'd want the nn to be strong sounding too, to separate it from the surname (like Seb), though for a girl I don't think an 'ee' sounding nickname is a problem at all (eg Vivi Lee or Georgie Lee is totally fine!).

Thanks BlueStars some good suggestions suggestions there and you've hit on our favourite girls name in your list! Vivienne Lee is lovely but too close to Vivien Leigh I think, I do love it though so maybe bit can go on the 'potential middle names' list! Sebastian is great too.

Tristan Lee
Quentin Lee
Austin Lee

Charlotte Lee
Antonia Lee
Harriet Lee

Sebastian lee popped into my head for a boy and Georgia or Georgina lee for a girl?

I love names than end in N

Aidan
Ryan
Ethan

I agree - two syllables not ending in ee sound. Adrian, Quentin, Rowan, Ethan, Megan etc sound great with Lee.

I'd avoid longer names like Sebastian as they will end up very likely shortened and Seb Lee sounds like Sebly...

Thanks everyone, thought our shortlist might end up being v short as a lot of names seemed incompatible for 1 reason or another but there are some good ideas there to bear in mind. I think the 2 syllables non 'ee'ending would work in some cases, but I know a Rowan who we often call 'Row' which would end up being 'roly' then probably roly poly! Also Megan would probably become Meg and I'm not sure that Seb Lee is any worse than Meg Lee!

I think we'd have to either choose something that's unlikely to be shortened, or just accept that a lot of shortenings don't sound great and he/she would just have to use their full name when alongside their surname, even if they use a nn the rest of the time. Good job were just ttc at the moment, plenty of time to think about it!

Tricky - but at least you have time to work on it

Always keep in mind the worst possible scenario - because kids will find it!!

Ive mentioned this one recently - Ken. Check on youtube for the Kenlee song, he could have his own theme song.

Haha!

I personally would avoid any "ee" or "ley" ending first names. They are too tongue-twister-ee (no pun!) and having grown up with a tongue twister name myself they are NO FUN. You end up having to pause between each name just to give them space, which is unnatural and awkward. Nothing better than a name that flows.

So ideally I would think a name that ends not in "ee" etc but also neither does its natural nn.

Alexander Lee / Alex Lee - fine and tolls off the tongue very nicely.

Charlotte Lee - fine but Charlie Lee... not so good...

George Lee - fine

Georgia Lee - very pretty.

Abigail Lee - Abi Lee - lovely.

Depends on the name, whether a short form gets used with the surname or not. I use the short form almost every time in speech, so I'd introduce myself to a client as (e.g) Kate Carter because I'd prefer her to call me Kate rather than Katherine. I'd use Katherine on formal paperwork, but would sign an email Kate. (this is not my real name.)

I couldn't think of an example that's quite as bad as my shortened name and surname, but you get the idea - alliteration and similar vowel sound. My parents never planned to call me Kate so didn't think of it.

Frederick (Freddie)
Nicholas
Dominic

Margaret (Maggie)
Juliet
Susannah

Classic three syllable names, so that you're sure of what you heard.