Can you have a first name ending in -a if the surname ends in -er?

[Thistledew]

Baby's surname will end in an -er sound, and I really don't like it when people mispronounce it to end in an -a sound.

But most of the girls names I like are ones that end in an -a sound. Would these sound odd together?

I'm not that keen on -ie ending names either, so suggestions of strong, classic names ending in consonants would be appreciated. Things I like are:

Erin
Kate (Katherine)
Bethan
Lois
Alexis

Boys names seem a little easier. Any suggestions along the lines of:

Sebastian
Laurence
Tristan
Eliot
Elias
Nathaniel (Nate)

My DD has an 'a' ending name and an 'er' occupational surname and it's been I problem to her. In fact it never crossed my mind until you mentioned it! She's lived with it for 13 years so I assume she's ok with it.

Trying to think of famous examples..

Lana Turner
Ava Gardner
Jessica Fletcher (!)
Sarah Jessica Parker

No problem I meant!

Tina Turner was what sprang to mind first!

Names ending in consonants, not so commonly used now so maybe due for a revival?
Rachel
Robyn
Jayne
Miriam
Denise
Yvonne
Gill(ian)/Jill
Mirabel

Ok, maybe I'm over thinking it!

Some -a ending names I like:

Saskia
Helena
Rowena

And breaking my no -ie rule:

Amelie
Esme

More consonant endings:

Honor

Isla Fisher
I think it's fine

My first and last (married name) both begin with the same letter and both end in an "uh" sound and it sounds ridiculous when you say them both together. So I'm guessing that you just have to work out whether it sounds wrong to you or not.

I agree you are overthinking it.

Saskia, Helena and Rowena are lovely. I like Esme too. And Honor.

I'm having major collywobbles about this whole 'pick a name' malarkey. DH has made his choices, but I'm kind of stunned into inaction. It seems like such a big decision, and that I should be making my choices based on something more significant than 'I thought it was a nice name'.

Yes, I am really overthinking.

Thistledew.

Is there anything in your life that you are really into -- music, the books of some author, some book you read, some painter's work, some place you would love to visit or some place you loved when you visited? If there is anything with good associations that might lead to a name, maybe focus on that. It's nice to feel the name you choose is in some way connected to you and your life.

My niece has a name ending in 'a' and surname ending 'er' that doesn't bother me at all.

However, my first name ends with the same sound as my middle name starts. It has bugged me since I can remember and makes it sound like a mouthful. I don't think my parents ever said my name out loud before I was registered, or They didnt care

Debra Winger

There is the American writer Willa Cather

Just as an example - Jessica Butler. Yes you can.