I think we're going to ignore the surname issue. Are we mean?

[LoopyLupo]

Our surname rhymes with (and has the same number of letter as) pea but starts with a 'L'.

I am pg with dc3. We have two dds and I haven't used my favourite girls name with them because of the surname issue. The name is Rosa. So when said together it can be confused as one name.

Dh is all for throwing caution to the wind and saying the surname issue will be a minor one. He has also fallen in love with the name.

This is our last baby and will be the last chance to use it.

What do you think?

No, probably not. Sorry!

Honestly, I massively feel your pain. I have a rubbish surname for ruling out other names.

I must come from a different planet to many of you as I really can't see there being a problem with the name Rosa Lea. The vast majority of her peers will never have heard or care about Gypsy Rose Lee and the name Rosalie is not exactly common so I don't see there being an issue with her having to explain that her first name is Rosa and her second name Lea. Sometimes I think we can overthink things like this. IMHO Rosa is lovely and goes perfectly well with your surname. If you like it don't be put off.

I think its fine. I can imagine someone introducing themselves as Rosa Lee and getting that its 2 names! MN over thinks names all teh time Suit yourself not other people

My dd4's first part of her name (she has the mumsnet pet hate of a hyphen) rhymes with her surname, it's no big deal.

I think we consider it an issue as we named dd1 without considering the surname.

Her name is 24 on the ONS list. Her first name + surname doesn't even make a 'real' first name yet people still ask us what her surname is when we say both names together.

So now we have adapted how we say her name. I say it with a long pause in between names when asked. Dh takes a different approach, he says just her first name and then waits to be asked for her surname.

Its not been that big a deal as I think if people are stupid enough to think we would call our daughter a completely made up, unheard of name, then its their issue not ours.

The difference with Rosa is that it actually does make a real name; Rosalie.

I know an Emma Lee and tbh it's awkward for her. Teased at school, and when introducing herself, she constantly gets 'Emily what?'

I'd immediately think gypsy. Why would you do this to your child? Rhyming slang would be the second thing that popped into my head (I am not a cockney).

As I said earlier I have a Rosalie and have never heard of the gyspy and I don't get the tea thing either.

Maybe I am too young or in the wrong part of the country.

I think Rosalie is fine, it's the Rosa Lee that would make the connection in people's minds. You say "My name is Rosalie Smith", that sounds rather different to someone introducing themselves as "Hi, I'm Rosa Lee", when I'm guessing a lot of adults would be mentally adding 'Gypsy'.

I think Rosa Lee is lovely! I don't get the gypsy part.

Suggestion I heard, possibly on mumsnet, was to try putting Dr in front of the whole name to test whether it works as a proper grown up name. Using this test - I have to say your name works for me - what do you and DH think?

I think Rosa goes with the surname better than Charlotte, which sounds really awkward.

She could always try the 007 approach. The names Lee. Rosa Lee

What about Rosamund, if you still want to use Rosa? Rosamund Lee.

I adore the name about some people find it too harsh in comparison to Rosalind, for example.

I also know an emma lee and it's fine. Rosa wss top of my list but dh wss not keen. Gypsy or tea did not occur to me. Go for it.

I wouldn't.

But I might be guilty of over thinking it.

I still wouldn't though.

Bryan Adams' second daughter is called Lula Rosylee because she was born at tea time (the Lula is from Be-Bop-a-Lula). His first daughter was also named in tribute to when she was born - Mirabella Bunny (Easter baby)

I would use it. Rosa is a lovely name. I don't think it will cause her to be bullied.

I have often had the problem the other way round I am X-Lee then a boring surname like Smith. People think Lee is my second name.

I've hated having a hyphenated name all my life.

Well, I am biased, but Rosa is a beautiful name
I didn't think of the gypsy connection and had never heard of the rhyming slang.
Just go for it. My Rosa has a surname that begins with Ro too, I'm sure that some would find it cruel but nobody has batted an eyelid in the two years since she's been born. Not that I even say her full name very often!

I also think that Roseabella is a fantastic name and could be shortened to Rosa which is also lovely.

Dh says even if people do think of the gypsy or cockney slang, so what? He doesn't think they really matter.

I'm a bit worried the Gypsy thing could lead to bullying - but how many of her peers would know that?

I also think Rosa goes better with your surname than Charlotte although they are both lovely names.

I do not think that using Rosa is likely to lead to your child being bullied because of her name; I can't imagine that her peers would think anything of it and TBH many adults wouldn't make the possible connection with either the gypsy or tea.

My dad has a name that, when said together (firstname/surname) run into each other and can make it hard to work out where his first name ends and his surname begins : think something like Paul Ledwick could be Paul Edwick. Not quite the same issue as you are considering but he has spent 60+ years easily overcoming this by leaving a pause between his names. there must be LOADS of other people whose names also run together to lead to possible ambiguity.

I would use Rosa (and also think it goes very well with the 24th name on the ONS list.)

Just reread my last post, I meant dh thinks the connections don't matter - not the people who make those connections.

Sorry if it sounded like that!

Thanks Dysgu, I think they sound nice together :)

I would do it Rosa is beautiful.