Two surnames (not double barrelled)

[McEwan]

My wife and I (we have different surnames) are thinking of giving our baby two surnames (not double barrelled). I know this isn't common in the UK, but it is possible.

What do you think of this?
In practice, how do you think schools will think of this?
If we do this, will one of the surnames get treated as a middle name and disappear?

Our surnames have two and three syllables respectively. Is there a better order?

I do this and it's fine. Some people think I am getting notions and only use the second name. Other people put a hyphen in. Some databases are written badly and can't handle a space, so I put in a hyphen. Some organisations record the first surname as a middle name. It's all fine.

It’s not that unusual in the UK. Not everyone hyphenates doubled barrelled names here, although most do. Usually you’d put the longer name first as it generally flows better, but do whatever sounds best. On the whole people are pretty good at using both names, but if you don’t hyphenate there is a greater likelihood the first part of the name will be taken as a middle name - do you really mind the hyphen??

Firstname Yoursurname Hersurname.

We do this. It’s fine. Most people just use the first and skip the second which is our preference too as quite frankly two names is a pain! 😂

It's absolutely fine, but because it's not as commonplace in the UK as in other countries (unlike double-barrelled names) I suspect that some people will treat one of the surnames like a middle name - ie. won't automatically use it until told otherwise. Generally I'd suggest Fathers surname first, then Mothers surname, but some names flow or sound better than others so that might effect the order.

My child has this - mine and my husband's surnames. It is annoying, tbh, but we couldn't agree on either as a singular surname so it is what it is!

I think it's fine and preferable to hyphernating.

We did this. It’s never been an issue. School, GP etc all use both names.

My surname is 3-syllable and DH’s is 2, also. We went First Name Two-Syllable Surname Three-Syllable Surname in the end, but it sounded fine the other way too.

I think it's quite common amongst posh families (sure some of the Made in Chelsea lot do this). We've done the opposite and have his surname as a middle name, which then gets mistaken for two surnames.. it's no big deal though. Surnames are quite variable these days so I'm sure it'll be fine whatever you do.

Thanks for the advice. Part of the reasoning is that we are a mixed nationality couple and we are trying to maintain traditions, heritage from both sides (which risks expanding names)

I think it's fine, but maybe slightly easier if double barrelled, as it is more the norm. But if you have your reasons not to do that, then I think it's fine to just use the two names.

A friend of mine kept her maiden name and added her husband's name after they had dcs (as their dcs had his name). I do think her maiden name ended up just became a middle name though, which was a shame as she had a very cool, well known family name.

I have two surnames, not double barrelled on BC. So does DC.

I've given up on accuracy and now use a hyphen to stop people from mistaking the first surname for a middle name.

It's an issue when it comes to official stuff like hospitals, schools, etc. where we have been filed under the wrong letter

Oh and I think the best order depends on the syllables of the first name.
Katie Richardson Browning
Elizabeth Browning Richardson

It's possible. My friend is Mexican and everyone has two surnames. Both her children were born here and have 2 surnames. No issues as far as I'm aware.

We have a double barrelled name and it seems to be much more common now

I do this and I've done it for my children, too. In terms of order, we just picked the order that sounds best. The advantage of no hyphen is that it makes it easier to drop one surname for everyday use (if required). It is the first one that tends to get dropped and the second one that tends to be used.

FWIW, I think it's the best solution for the surname dilemma, it's fair and flexible. It's also the norm in Spain.

I've done this, to me it makes perfect sense and I believe it's common place elsewhere in the world?
I loved my ex dh very much when we had our dc but I'm also a realist! It was a practical decision, two parents, two surnames and we're both glad we decided to do it.
Dh left years ago and moved away unfortunately. It was great that the dc still had his name, when they were younger I think it really helped but having my name too was much more practical and I would have hated us to have different names.

@Littlefluffyclouds13

I've done this, to me it makes perfect sense and I believe it's common place elsewhere in the world? I loved my ex dh very much when we had our dc but I'm also a realist! It was a practical decision, two parents, two surnames and we're both glad we decided to do it. Dh left years ago and moved away unfortunately. It was great that the dc still had his name, when they were younger I think it really helped but having my name too was much more practical and I would have hated us to have different names.

Hi littlefluffyclouds13

Which name did you put first? Yours or his? And on a day to day basis did you use both or just stick with one? Now that you're separated, do you still use both (if you did before) or have you told school etc that your surname is the preferred name?

We were always told at school in Scotland that it was an English tradition to hyphenate surnames, but that in Scotland it was traditional to use two surnames with no hyphen. I think it's most common to hyphenate even in Scotland now, but I have seen it as a double surname, it's definitely doable.