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Baby names

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Mother's maiden name as first or middle name

17 replies

NordicNobody · 05/04/2018 15:06

No idea if we're having a boy or a girl yet. Mother's maiden name was Bristow. Baby will have DPs last name, and I couldn't care less about my last name for about a zillion reasons. But my grandparents passed away recently, my mum changed her name when she married, and my uncle never had children so my grandparents name has officially now come to an end. That only really occurred to me the other day and has made me really sad. When I had DS, DP and I talked about last names and whether he would have my name (which I hate), his name (beautiful, already double barrelled, and representing his ethnic origins) or some combination of the 3 (i.e. Drop one of his last names/ make it a middle name, and double barrel ours instead). But because I like his name so much, and dislike mine so much, I said just to use his. Now I'm kind of wishing I'd suggested double barrelling using my mums maiden name instead. But I guess that would have been a bit weird and probably caused arguments with my dad (who I don't have a good relationship with at the best of times). Anyway, I know using it as a first/ middle name wouldn't exactly "carry it on" but is it a crazy idea? It fits well with DS name and sounds pretty unisex. What do you think?

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windchimesabotage · 05/04/2018 15:09

I think its lovely and has a great personal meaning. Id deffo go with it.
We have an old family surname as my sons middle name and its a lot more 'out there' than Bristow. Bristow sounds like a genuine first name in the same vein as Maddison which is extremely popular right now.
Maybe you could put an E on the end to make it Bristowe which makes it seem feminine... but even without that I think its a fine unisex sounding name.

BexleyRae · 05/04/2018 15:10

I think Bristow would work well as a boys name. But I think if you introduced your DD to me as Bristow I wouldn't raise much of an eyebrow either

Kidslovecucumber · 05/04/2018 15:11

Lovely meaning but to me it sounds too much like Bristol said a bit funny. Perfect for a middle name though.

SofiaAmes · 05/04/2018 15:14

My dd has my mother's maiden name as her middle name. It's a long complicated double barreled name and she loves it. However, she has triple citizenship and the Italians were not ok with a last name as a middle name, so her legal name in Italy is different than in the UK and the US.

MrsJayy · 05/04/2018 15:16

This has happened in my extended family it is a lovely thing to do and the name carries on.

NordicNobody · 05/04/2018 15:19

Aw thanks everyone, a more positive response than I was expecting! :)

OP posts:
Nemophilist · 05/04/2018 15:25

I'm sorry but all I think of is hairspray

Mother's maiden name as first or middle name
Dinosauratemydaffodils · 05/04/2018 15:31

Ds has my maiden name as one of his middle names as I'm an only child and my Dad's only sibling couldn't have children. It made my Df and my paternal Grandmother surprisingly happy.

NordicNobody · 05/04/2018 15:41

Haha I've never seen or heard of that brand Nemo!

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Pashazade · 05/04/2018 15:44

My mother has Ross as her middle name as it was her mother's maiden name. Scottish tradition apparently although I'm happy to be corrected. Think Bristow would make a great middle name.

TatianaLarina · 05/04/2018 16:06

I think it’s fine as a middle name. As a first name it’s far too like Bisto.

Knittedfairies · 05/04/2018 16:10

My husband’s family all have a different family surname as a middle name; they all sound quite distinguished!

SleepingStandingUp · 05/04/2018 16:12

Yeah I'd go middle, reminds me of gravy but the idea is lovely stop def writer making it work

MammieBear · 05/04/2018 16:16

The the sentimental reasons you have explained, yes go for it.

Pixel99 · 05/04/2018 16:40

I have Bristows in my family! Would definitely use as a middle name. Good luck and best wishes.

MikeUniformMike · 05/04/2018 22:41

Middle name

HaggisMuncher · 05/04/2018 22:50

It's a bit of a tradition in Scotland and one I really like. My brother has my mum's maiden name and I've got my Gran's(which I love for the connection it gives me to her all the more since she passed away). My ds has mine as one of his middle names. It's a lovely way to provide a tangible link to your family. Go for it.

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