Waterman, Smallwater or Smallhouse?

[CJKnox]

My surname is Waterhouse; DP's is Smallman... We are getting married soon. We're also expecting! Which new surname would you use? I think Smallwater sounds the best?

I always think new double-barrelling is slightly ridiculous. In this case is would be hilarious - Waterhouse-Smallman or vice-versa.

I think Waterman is the best.

Why should I take his surname? I'm not doing that. He has to compromise with this way, as neither of us want to give up on our surname, but we hate the double-barrelled version.

Why though?
I just don't get it

You don't get what?

Why you want to give your family all a made up name

Well, so there is a part of both of our surnames? Do you honestly think Waterhouse-Smallman sounds good?

Having a portmanteau name is becoming increasingly popular. Nowadays, couples are not automatically having the man's name. It makes sense to me.

I don't see anything wrong with it. Just because it's not common doesn't mean it's wrong.

Why should I take his surname?. Why would you play around with the letters in both your names like tiles on a scrabble board to come up with something completely different?

Is there an actual reason why that's a more appealing thing to do?
It's bizarre.

I like Waterman and Houseman.

I don't understand why you would make a surname up? Just give him either yours or dhs. You or dh can also get the same name. Your married, takes your husbands name or get husband to take yours. Three surnames will be confusing as hell. Every time you leave the country, take child to hospital, sign anything you will have to have copy of birth certificate with you to prove you are the parents

As someone who is keen on family history research I'm glad they didn't do this back in the day - I'd never have found anyone!

No, we would be taking the same name too, how have people missed that bit!?

I like the Houseman suggestion but of your three suggestions, Waterman is by far and away the best. And I think amalgamating is a great idea for your names, much better than double-barrelling.

I think it's a great idea. Agree with pp though, Waterman or Houseman are good options.

We have hardly jumbled the names up... it's taking each half.

To be honest, I didn't ask for opinions on it, did I? If you don't like the idea, don't bother commenting. I couldn't care less if you think it's bizarre. You're also not willing to read what I wrote, as I clearly said we will all have the same surname.

Well I can't understand how some of the posters are finding so difficult about this!
Double barrelled version is awful in this case, so amalgate the two and everyone has the same surname, no one has to lose all their old one.
Great idea OP I think this will become far more common in time.

I know somebody who did the surname mash up perfectly successfully and Waterman is the best name of your options imo.

General Von Smallhausen was in Allo Allo. Smallhouse means toilet. :o

Out of the three, I like Waterman. Although out of the five, I like yours best. Stick with Waterhouse. :)

But actually I think Waterhouse-Smallman sounds really good double-barrelled.

Or if you're going to just make a new name up, go for Smith?

Waterman.

Good idea , Op. We did double-barrelling because all combos of our name sounded truly awful - but you have a great mix.

Unfortunately, even though this way forwards is catching on, and more and more people are declining the 'everyone takes his name' tradition, and many people are open to change and new ideas, this thread gives you a forewarning of the stuff that will get said, the birthday card envelopes that will doggedly remain mis-addressed.... Good luck!

I think I might ask my friends if they've thought about this - they kept their own names when they married.

They now can't decide what to do with their children, because double barrelling a Polish surname and an animal (so something like Nowakowska-Bird) doesn't really work...

Of the three, my favourite is Waterman. Also like pp's suggestion of Houseman.

I think Waterhouse-Smallman would be a good strong name. But if you want to combine Waterman is definitely the pick of the bunch.

We've gone down the DB route and it works for us.

Waterman is best, but Waterhouse is a even better best if you can talk him into it. It's so elegant. Not surprised he wants to get rid of Smallman