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Original poster

To hypen or not to hypen...that is the question

64 replies

Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 20:10

My husband and I are expecting a little girl on 18th May.
My husband's Mum passed away three years ago and we are going to name her 'Lucy' after his Mum. Initially, even though my husband wanted to name her Lucy after his Mum, he said it may be too hard to just call her Lucy as it may be a bit raw. Neither of us were keen on hyphenated names, but we decided to call her Lucy-Rose so it would feel less raw for my husband.
I have totally fallen in love with the name, but my husband has now said he has really gone off the hyphen and thinks we should just use Rose as a middle name.
I know people are unlikely to call her both names, but I have two friends who already frequently refer to her as 'Lucy-Rose' or 'LR', so it feels really weird for me to drop it.
Any advice?

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CherryBlossom23 · 13/04/2019 20:11

Can't you just use Lucy Rose without the hyphen as a first name? Not unheard of

Original poster
Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 20:14

@Cherryblossom23 - is that allowed legally? I din't know that.

OP posts:
Ginger1982 · 13/04/2019 20:14

Cherry I would assume it was hyphenated in that case. The kid will spend her life saying it isn't.

Silversky70 · 13/04/2019 20:16

I knew it would be either Rose or May! Honestly op, these names are everywhere.

Veterinari · 13/04/2019 20:17

Don’t Hyphenate. Lucy rose doesn’t flow naturally and she’ll inevitably end up with just Lucy. Plus hyphens are very dated

Krimpy · 13/04/2019 20:17

I think there has to be a bit of give and take. You've agreed to naming the baby after his late mother, and that's lovely, so he should go along with Lucy-Rose seeing as you have your heart set on it.

Lovabug · 13/04/2019 20:30

I wouldn't hyphenate unless you plan to always call her Lucy-Rose.
I'm a supply teacher and visit lots of schools - I always read the name that is on the register - so I end up saying 'Olivia-Rose' or 'Ella-May' until I realise no one else is using the hyphenated name.

Original poster
Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 20:31

I think my husband has gone off of it because other people have been quite judgey about it, and I do understand how he feels.
I know Rose is popular as a middle/ hyphenated name, but IMO opinion I think it does go well together, but everyone has different opinions they are openly expressing to us, and husband is now worried it is 'chavvy'.
I agree though I don't want her to spend her life explaining her name....(same reason I wouldn't spell it Loocie) her surname will already provide her with that problem haha.
I want us to both be happy and I do really like the name Lucy on its own. I wish we hadn't told anyone now, as then it wouldn't be so weird changing her name.

OP posts:
Krimpy · 13/04/2019 20:35

There's nothing weird about changing your baby's name before she's even arrived. People do this all the time. There's nothing even especially weird about changing a baby's name a few weeks after they're born. It does demonstrate though how sensible it is not to share your unborn baby's name with all and sundry. People have opinions and they love to share them.

Actually I've just remembered that there's an indie/folk singer songwriter called Lucy Rose, although Rose may well be her surname. Nothing chavvy about her.

BlueMerchant · 13/04/2019 20:35

Lucy-Rose is beautiful. I'd keep it like this with the hyphen.

Youngandfree · 13/04/2019 20:40

If that is her name then that is her name, if people try to call her Lucy then you correct them from Day dot!! My Dd’s Best friend has a hyphenated name and no one dares call her by the first one! It’s her name and that’s that!!fwiw I think Lucy-rose is lovely 😊

SnuggyBuggy · 13/04/2019 20:44

I don't think it needs a hyphen and it's a lovely name

SomeLikeItTepid · 13/04/2019 20:47

I agree with Blue it's lovely as it is. I've not come across a Lucy-Rose before. Regardless of her legal name she's bound to be known by variations by different people. I think you should stick to your guns.

TriarFuck · 13/04/2019 20:51

Loocie??! WTF??? I have never heard of this one, even on MN.

Call her Lucy. It's a gorgeous name. So is Rose. But hyphenated first names are appalling, and will set your beautiful baby up for a life of being judged. Spare her this!

DerbyRacer · 13/04/2019 20:56

Lucy-Rose is lovely. I don't know anyone with a hyphenated name. It is unusual

DramaAlpaca · 13/04/2019 20:57

I don't usually like hyphenated names, but Lucy-Rose isn't bad as they go.

Personally I'd use Lucy Rose without the hyphen. You can still call her by both names.

stellarfox · 13/04/2019 20:59

I do think hyphenated names are a bit trendy and will date. I’d use Rose in the middle name spot... you can still call her Lucy Rose on a day to day basis!

Wheresmyvagina · 13/04/2019 21:00

Hyphenated names are very 2006 and appear very dated now. I would just go with Lucy tbh.

Starryskiesinthesky · 13/04/2019 21:02

I'm sorry but I agree with your husband that Lucy-Rose isn't the best. Hyphenated names tend not to be great as an adult.

Could you make Lucy her middle name?

Original poster
Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 21:02

@Krimpy I totally agree it isn't weird at all. I just personally find the adjustment difficult as I've been calling her that. I ALSO agree that you shouldn't share the name. I told my husband this but he got excited and told everyone eye roll...hence the predicament! Weirdly enough as well the indie singer Lucy Rose is exactly where I got the inspiration from as I am a fan of hers _

@TriarFuck - Yep, I have come across x2 Loocie's and I remember there being one on that Take me out show too. It also makes me sad that people would judge anyone based on their name. I get that it happens, but it is just a sad world we live in. I'm not sure I would care if people who judge people based on their name judged her and would try to raise her to not listen and care about the opinions of the Katie Hopkins of the world!

OP posts:
Clownfish123 · 13/04/2019 21:02

I like Lucy-Rose. I know an Annie-Rose and she is ALWAYS called the full name, it suits her and I couldn't imagine her being anything else.

Original poster
Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 21:05

@Starryskiesinthesky I was never personally keen on hyphenated names myself before, but we made an exception because of the complexity of the situation. He has told his entire family that we are calling her Lucy after his Mum, so I think it would be heart wrenching for everyone to change it now....plus I do really like Lucy. I am sure I will get used to it!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pondlife87 · 13/04/2019 21:07

Do you think maybe I should just wait until she is born and see what she looks like suits her best?

OP posts:
Starryskiesinthesky · 13/04/2019 21:09

Ah so has he come round to it not being so raw? In that case changing from Lucy-Rose to Lucy with Rose as the middle name (and even you calling her Lucy Rose) would be good then no? They are both lovely names no matter what you do.

MumUnderTheMoon · 13/04/2019 21:09

Rose is a very commonly used as the second part of a hyphenated name. It is pretty but I can see why your dh has been put off. My dds name is hyphenated but both names while simple aren't regularly used as part of hyphenated names (too outing for here) why not experiment with some other names.
Lucy-Anne
Lucy-Marie
Lucy-Faye
Also as Lucy means light you could consider Alina, Dawn or Ellen which all have similar meanings.