Can we use Robyn? If not, what else might we like?

[hazelnutlatte]

Love Robyn for a girl but our surname sounds like a first name - so if you imagine our surname is Paul, does Robyn Paul sound like Robbing Paul, or are we overthinking it a bit?
If Robyn does sound a bit strange then we are stuck for alternatives - I love Willow but DH not too keen, any ideas with a similar feel?

I think if your surname is a masculine name, your dd's name will sound like a hyphenated male name.

"Next we have John-Michael playing the recorder."

Hmm yes could be bad.

Does Rowan work? Although that's also a boy's name.

Oh I was hoping people would say we were overthinking and it sounded fine!
Rowan sounds nice but DH just made a face when I suggested it so I think that's a no.

It doesn't sound like "Robbing", if that was what you are worried about.

I'd say you're overthinking it, DDs first name when run together with her second name sounds like another word, it's not an issue. Robyn is a lovely, unusual but not out there name, go for it.

I really like Robyn. Go for it I say!

Yes, Robyn would be a bit masculine sounding with your surname. How about Roberta?

You see even though Robyn obviously spelt Robin was originally used for boys I still see it as a very effeminate and pretty name with no masculine element what so ever.
If you're concerned that it sounds masculine with your last name, why not hyphenate it with another name such as Robyn-Mai Robyn-Jade, Robyn-Olivia., Robyn-Willow
For the record though I think Robyn is fine on it's own to use and My thinking is deeper that the ocean when it comes to names

Please, please don't hyphenate it. Robyn sounds lovely on its own. Very feminine.

Re surnames that sound like first names - I always feel sorry for men with names like Elton John. They must be constantly getting them turned round. Less of a problem for women, unless they're given a first name like Jordan or Courtney, I suppose.

I did once in an old job read a form too hastily and consequently sent a letter to Mr James Meredith* when the person's correct name was Mrs Meredith James. She was very nice about it (I don't expect it was the first time but I was aghast when I realised.

*Not the real name

Hmm opinion is divided then! I don't think we want a hyphenated name as it's a bit of a mouthful. Our surname is pretty awkward, lots of names just sound wrong.
I had thought that with a gender neutral name then dd would sometimes be mistaken for a boy and this doesn't bother us too much. We hadn't really considered that this would be even more so with a masculine sounding surname.

I think it's fine. I know 2 Robyn's and they are both girls.

I think unless your surname is Banks it should be fine.

I think you're overthinking it. It's fine unless, like Debin says, your surname is Banks

Robyn Paul sound like Robbing Paul, or are we overthinking it a bit?

It does sound like 'robbing Paul'

Why the 'y' though? It looks clumsy and an unnecessary attempt to make it look more feminine I always think. I prefer the Robin spelling for a girl or boy.

I think if you have a masculine sounding surname, a girly name would be better personally.

I think Robyn is fine with any surname, except perhaps Bastard, which would still be ok if she was going to end up in merchant banking.

I think Robyn is fine with any surname, except perhaps Bastard, which would still be ok if she was going to end up in merchant banking.

I'm not sure any name would sound nice with the surname bastard!

Or Hood of course

Robin and Robyn are both nice.
There was a recent thread of bird names -Wren, Linnet, Merle etc.

As long as it doesn't make it hard for the child, go for whatever name you like.

My friend's surname is Banks, so obviously Robin/Robyn wasn't a possibility!

All the boys in my class had a boy's name and a boy's name. i.e. Mr. something Graham, Mr. something James, Mr. boy name Williams or Mr. Brian. It's the way it works out.

How about Rosalind, Miranda, Madeline - a girl's name?

In the 70s there was a trend to name girls androgynously: Toni, Lesley, Ashley, Jo. I think it was a fabulous strike out for feminism. Then it all changed.

Girls became girly with flower and princess names.

These days I'd stick to the Bible or Shakespeare.

I love Robyn. A friend near me has a Robyn and her name really suits her. She is a gorgeous, vivacious, bright, charasmatic, independant young girl. Go for it.

Her younger sister calls her Bobby because she struggles with her Rs at the moment. Super cute nickname

It's a lovely name and I agree, you're probably over thinking it.

How about Wren as an alternative though?

I like Robyn and think Robyn Paul would be ok.

How about Hazel or Wren?

I think that Robin is much much nicer than Robyn, which to me just looks quite ugly. I don't know why there is the convention that Robyn should be used for girls.