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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

How to make this name work with my surname?

68 replies

Pluto30 · 11/10/2016 09:45

I have always loved the name Lily and am set on using it. However, my surname is Lee and I just can't use Lily Lee, surely?

I don't like Lillian, and I don't think Lillian Lee sounds much better anyway...

How can I make Lily work with this last name?!

OP posts:
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ExcellentWorkThereMary · 11/10/2016 09:48

Could you double barrel the first name? Lily-Jane Lee?

Or Elizabeth with Lily as a nn?

avocadosweet · 11/10/2016 09:54

Lucy Liu has managed okay!

cathaka15 · 11/10/2016 09:59

Lillian Lee sounds like a a Hollywood actress name. Sounds Ab Fab.
The double barrel is a good idea.

Pluto30 · 11/10/2016 10:02

My partner suggested Lily Rose Lee, but I'm not sure about two flower names?

I can't use Jane as it's been done to death in my family.

Maybe Lily Grace...

OP posts:
Pluto30 · 11/10/2016 10:06

True about Lucy Liu. I forgot about her!

I know there was a golden age actress named Lila Lee. I think she adopted it rather than it being her birth name.

I suppose it can work on the right person!

OP posts:
Myfanwyprice · 11/10/2016 10:11

Definitely Lily Grace (although I might be biased!)

minipie · 11/10/2016 10:18

Liliana nn Lily
Lilibet nn Lily
Delilah nn Lily

Apparently Lily can also be a nn for Elizabeth

I'm not so keen on the double-barrelled first names personally.

Or... change your surname?

jesstar · 11/10/2016 10:24

Lily Ann
Lily Beth
Lily Jess (ok that one is biased!)

ClaudiaWankleman · 11/10/2016 10:24

I actually think it works really well. It's short, pronounceable, memorable, suitable for all ages.
It'll also translate quite well if she decides to move abroad. Would sound natural in Chinese, European languages, Arabic (I think?) etc.

MrsB44 · 11/10/2016 10:48

I think Lilly-Mae is beautiful.
Lilly Lee sounds ok to me though, I have a similar first name surname and it's never bothered me. Everyone thinks it fits perfectly.

Oysterbabe · 11/10/2016 12:03

I think Lily Lee is nice. A know a few people who have gone down the alliteration route.

passingthrough1 · 11/10/2016 12:08

IMO alliteration is better than a hyphenated first name.

9troubledwaters · 11/10/2016 12:10

Liliana?

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 11/10/2016 12:46

The only way to do it as far as I can see is to add a middle name, and hyphenate it. Eg
Lily-Jade Lee
Lily-Nicole Lee
Lily-Georgina Lee
Lily-Frances Lee
Lily-Sophia Lee
Lily-Jessica Lee
Lily-Ellena Lee
Lily-Grace Lee
Lily-Sian Lee.
There's absolutely nothing stopping you from just calling her Lily on s day to day basis

MackerelOfFact · 11/10/2016 13:09

Lily Lee is a bit mad (it's basically Lee Lee Lee!) but Lilian Lee is lovely IMO. You can still call her Lily day-to-day but when she needs to use her surname, at least her full name is less of a tongue-twister.

I'm personally not a fan of hyphenated names, I find them a bit twee, but each to their own.

LauraMipsum · 11/10/2016 13:20

Lilith, nn Lily?

LauraMipsum · 11/10/2016 13:21

Lilith, nn Lily?

MummaGiles · 11/10/2016 13:24

Lillian Lee sounds like Vivian Lee hence the Hollywood vibe. I'm not sure I like lily lee but it's your choice, don't be put off by other people if you like it. I love the name lily but used it for our cat (shortsightedly)

MitzyLeFrouf · 11/10/2016 13:34

I like alliteration but Lily Lee doesn't work. And it feels weird at the back of my tongue when I try to say it.

PotOfYoghurt · 11/10/2016 13:37

Lilian Lee sounds beautiful

Vixxfacee · 11/10/2016 13:38

Lily Lee doesn't work.

Enidblyton1 · 11/10/2016 13:45

Lilian Lee would be fine and memorable I think.
But I would consider other first names too. Surely out of thousands of possible girls names you could think of others you like as much as Lily? Millie? Tilly? Letty?
Lily Lee is too much of a mouthful.

FlameGrower · 11/10/2016 13:54

Pick another name. Lily Lee just sounds silly.

KimmySchmidtsSmile · 11/10/2016 14:00

I know a Lily-Rose but in your case I'd be thinking Gypsy Rose Lee (burlesque entertainer).
I would go for Lily-Grace if you like it.

Sophronia · 11/10/2016 14:30

Lilith Lee
Liliana Lee
Delilah Lee
Liliosa Lee
Olivia Lee
Lillias Lee
Lilibeth Lee
Lily Kate Lee
Lily Grace Lee
Lily Hope Lee
Lily Blythe Lee
Lily Maeve Lee

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