Which surname to use on birth certificate

[EducationComesFirst]

We are of Eastern European origin and so the surname ending changes depending on the sex (letter "a" is added in the end for females). I would like to get some opinions on what version of surname sounds "better" to English ear (as need to register our daughter). Below is not the real name but similar example. Thanks!

Margaret Poludev
or
Margaret Poludeva

Both are lovely! I guess the real question is if ever in future you have a boy, do you want them to have the “same” last name. Although I think most people could figure out that Poludev and Poludeva are related!

I think add the a

If she's female, would you normally choose the feminine version? Poludeva?

I'd add the a for a girl. I've known one russian family, a boy and a girl at my children's school. I get it. It aint rocket science.

otherwise you'll get people telling you you're wrong.

Please use the 'a' ending.

Historically surnames in England indicated ownership. This why apprentices and slaves took on their master's surname.

Having an indication that the name has something to do with the person whose name it is is a lovely idea.

It's a bit messy. We registered Dd1 as Poludeva. When I was changing my maiden name to married after DD1 was born I was given my husband's surname Poludev as per marriage certificate. DS is also Poludev. So what version do we use for DD2??
We are planning to live in England. I suppose my question is which version sounds "better" or "less odd" to English ear?

Poludeva flows more easily.

To me, I think since the surname is foreign, the shorter the better 😂, but maybe I am wrong? I don't really care about the cultural aspects, just want to use the version that flows better...

I think with the a especially if dd1s surname includes the a.

I was thinking of changing either my surname or our Dd1 surname by deed poll depending on the version that's better. So either everyone in the family goes by Poludev (logistically a bit easier), or males are Poludev and females are Poludeva...

I really like the idea of keeping with the tradition and also like the 'a' sound at the end. I would have girls with 'a' and boys without.

I think having all the females with the "a" version is best - keeps with tradition plus eastern European style surnames ending in a often sound quite cool (imho).

I think for practical purposes it’s easier to go with the customs of the country you’re in. I’d call everyone Poludev even if it sounds nicer with an a. It will confuse people otherwise.

Definitely Poludeva! :)

it's not a confusing concept. I think if you have it the correct way on the birth certs, ie, with an 'a' for a girl, without for a son, then if people get it wrong they get it wrong. But if you do it wrong in anticipation of people getting it wrong, most people who know it's got an 'a' on the end of the name for a girl will get it wrong when they get it right!!

I'd stick with tradition. Poludeva sounds nicer too.

I'd go for one surname for the whole family as well. That said, any of the places where it "matters" that it's right (eg on passports, travel tickets etc), you'd usually be the person typing it these days, so it may not be as much of a practical issue as it once was. (I am old and had an unusual maiden name; remember years of angst when my name was misspelt on travel documents despite having spelt it out over the phone!)

it's not a confusing concept

Indeed it’s not but it will confuse people nonetheless who aren’t aware of the rules from other cultures.

Few English are aware of the significance of Ó and Ní and Mac and Nic.

.. for example.

Go with tradition. People will cope!

I know some Eastern Europeans with masculine and feminine surnames. It’s not hard to understand at all. They really do look related.

Given your DD1 is poludeva, I would name DD2 as poludeva too. It’s traditional. Whether you change to poludeva will depends on what you want I think.

Thanks for responses everyone. I am not too bothered about tradition. In fact, I think it is nicer and makes more sense when everyone in the family has the same surname. All I would like to find out in this post is which version of surname sounds nicer in English?

Some couples I know are starting to use different lastnames for boys and girls. In your case your name has a tradition behind it and so you should go with it.

Poludeva sounds much nicer :)

In fact, I think it is nicer and makes more sense when everyone in the family has the same surname.

Would it be possible for your DH to switch to Poludeva (if having the same surname is so important to you?) I'm not Polish so idk but I really do think that the feminine version sounds nicer and more melodic!

I personally would however simply stick to the Polish name tradition :) (I'm admittedly not particularly bothered about different surnames in the same family...)