Do these names sound stupid with our surname?

[SurnameSchmurname]

We're starting to compile a girls' name list and coming up against potential problems with our surname, which is W@terhouse.

Sone of our favourites are Flora, Iona and Wren but we're worried they sound a bit silly:

Flora W@terhouse = too horticultural?
Iona W@terhouse = sounds like "I own a..."
Wren W@terhouse = DH thinks this sounds like a birdbath?!

What do you think? Are we overthinking?
(@ is so this doesn't come up on google if we do go with one of these!)

Argh no each to their own but I can't stand kids having nicknames as their full names. Meg for example would have to be Megan or Margaret in my eye.
I think you limit your kids if you give them a name that can limit them - think of them being a prime minister or queen and they'd probably need a full proper name.
You don't have to call them it on a daily basis and you can even register them at drs, school etc with their known as name but gives them options. Maybe that's why you think some of the names are too formal cos you aren't thinking of nicknames properly - jemima for example could be Jem, Matilda could be Tilly. Anyway maybe consider this and you might find a few more names open up to you.

If you like Iona, what about Fiona? Or Ianthe?

John Major managed without being Jonathan

Tony Blair want known as Anthony Blair

Can I be Queen please because I have a proper name? Don't tell Kate...

Each to their own on preference of names but giving them a long one so they can be a Prime Minister of Queen seems a stretch

Sticking with the generally Scottish/island theme, how about Ailsa, Vaila or maybe Lorna?

I don't think you could have Ophelia, oh feel ya w@terhouse. Sounds like wanting to cop a feel of your fanny.

John - that's a proper name in itself and probably more proper than Jonathon
Tony - agree with you there but was that all part of his new 'modern' leadership style?
Kate - exactly - she got called Catherine as soon as she was married

Ailsa and Ianthe are lovely and Vaila is intriguing but I'm not sure how to pronounce it!

Twist I have considered longer names for Meg and Nell but I don't like them nearly as much as the short form so I'd rather just use the form I like.

But will your daughter just enjoy being 'meg'? Everyone will assume she's Megan and call her that anyway so stick it on the birth certificate then forget about it and call her meg

I have a just Meg. Only one person has ever called her Megan.

And I rather like the idea of her getting a job based on her skills and attributes than her name. She has a classic middle name if she is that bothered, she can use that.

I think just Meg is fine - short name balances out the surname and it's not a "little girl" type of NN, perfectly fine on an adult woman. I like Nell with your surname too.

Thanks both

Nap queen - really- only one person?!
You can guarantee that when you announced her name everyone would have to said to their partner/friend - that's a nice name but they should have called her Megan... no one would have said this to your face
You are naive if you don't think names and appearance don't go into how successful people are

I think we've got a reasonable list going now. Definitely adding Saskia, DH likes too We both like Mabli but unsure about the Welshness... I'll stick it on anyway! Iona is definitely out and Wren is a question mark. Thanks for all your help!

Apples surely Meg's no different to Kate, Annie, Max, Jack, etc.? It's not like I'm planning to call her Sweetpea!

Nap queen - really- only one person?!

Yes, just one. They may have assumed it but I say "this is Meg" and they call her Meg.

You can guarantee that when you announced her name everyone would have to said to their partner/friend - that's a nice name but they should have called her Megan

Well then thats their opinion. I dont feel I should have called her it.

You are naive if you don't think names and appearance don't go into how successful people are

I dont doubt. However I have little to no control over her appearance, and everywhere I have either interviewed for or been involved in interviewing the name part of the application isnt even submitted for shortlisting. And there are many "full or proper" names which could be loaded with judgement too in that respect.

Yeah I'd definitely look at a ballot paper ad read "Meg" and decide she want capable of running the country. I mean if her parents had wanted her to become anything in life surely they'd have given her a proper name

Re Kate / Catherine- she's still called Kate in all the popular press. It will take lot for her to be Queen Catherine in the public brain. William always calls her Catherine, but she's known outside of RL as Kate. I doubt the Queen would have refused the marriage if her parents had christened her Kate or Meg. Maybe if they'd called her Chardonnay or N'taleigh

What about Isla instead of Iona?

And Florence instead of Flora?

Susannah.

Think you need to stay clear of any name ending in a. So y ending names or others are better
Emily Waterhouse

Florence Waterhouse
Honor Waterhouse
Constance Waterhouse
Beatrice Waterhouse
Hazel Waterhouse
( all my favourite names!!)
No a but lots of alternative names.

Leona as a slight variation to Iona?

Also like Lydia, Beatrix (Trixie), Heidi & Vivienne.

Why no a endings? I like Heidi, Beatrix and Susannah. Susannah probably more as a middle name because it's a bit long for everyday I think and I only really like Suki for short, which is also a no with the surname.

Vaila is pronounced just as it looks, Vale-a.

I've got one more: Io - she was a Greek princess Zeus fell in love with. I think Io W*terhouse sounds rather beautiful and ethereal.

Yes or Ayo which is similar and also lovely

Wren is very cool. (if saying cool isn't too immature and outdated...if so, disregard my vote).