My favourite girl’s name doesn’t go with our surname :(

[Dazedandconfused170]

Hey everyone

I’m 22 weeks pregnant with our first child and we’ve really been struggling to agree on a name. I’d like a more unusual name but my partner isn’t always so sure.
Not many names have really stuck out for me but I stumbled across one I LOVE & every time I see it I want to choose it more - however when you combine it with my partners surname I think it sounds funny..

The name I love is Alba, the surname would be Bell
So Alba Bell

Is it too much of a mouthful with the B’s do you think? Am I overthinking it?

We would also have a middle name or even a double barrelled surname like Mae

Think you've chosen a lovely name. As for unusual though, in our area, Mae as a middle name is very common! My older two are in primary and high school now but it seems every other girl is something-Mae (there are 4 just in my middlers year, and 2 in my eldest's, and 2 others elsewhere in the whole school that i know of) (if not something-Rose).

I feel your pain!

We loved willow but our surname begins with the same four letters so that was out.

What about Anya?

Instead of Mae,couldn't you go for Alba Rae ?

What about Alberta? With Albie as a nickname?

Alba Bell sounds daft
Alba sounds like bulbous or albumen to me. It's not a pretty name.
Definitely don't double barrel or use the dreadful filler middle name Mae.

@Firstinlastout

Instead of Mae,couldn't you go for Alba Rae ?

Ew even worse

I think that sounds lovely. Not too much of a mouthful at all.

I love Alberta, nn Alba or Albie. Or Alma.

I'd choose a middle name (which may come in handy if you do get married and change your surname and dc's) but start off with your surname.
Ideas for mn
Alba Fearne
Alba Joy
Alba Willow
Alba Sienna
Alba Lily

What about Aida instead?

I agree, the BB in Alba Bell doesn't flow well.

"We’re not married but we’ve agreed to use my partner’s surname"

Why?

Use yours

I think that the Alba political party is going to feature quite heavily in the press in the coming years. I also think that it sounds laboured with Bell and I can’t stand hyphenated names unless they’re established ones. So I’d go back to the drawing board. I’d also rethink the surname (unless being unmarried is genuinely your choice and you’re genuinely ok with using your boyfriend’s surname rather than just going along with it).

We’re not married but we’ve agreed to use my partner’s surname

Why? Especially if it means losing something you love? Bonkers.

I disagree, I think it's lovely!

And I don't think of it as a Scottish name (despite being Scottish) - the two Albas I know both have Spanish parents.

I would hardly say it’s ‘bonkers’ as there are plenty of first names we can use if we keep thinking, this was just one I really liked.

We’re not married yet but may be one day. We’re not precious about surnames, my surname is quite odd so I’m not keen on using it.

And of course it’s my choice and am happy with using his surname, it’s a lot nicer than mine.

I’m carrying and birthing the baby so I think it’s nice to give them his surname which I will probably eventually have..

I’m not fussed about the political party name in all honesty - I can’t imagine most people I know personally would even know that/have that association.

I definitely like the name Alba on it’s own more than with the surname but I’ve still got time to decide! No other names are jumping out at me to be honest but I’m keeping an open mind.

Like I said before, someone is always going to take issue with the name you choose! But I would be surprised if people openly took issue with their name to their faces..

Thanks for everyone’s input though will keep thinking

Oh I'd call her Anna!

Why can't people listen when she says she wants to give baby the dads surname 🙄

OP for what it's worth, my children have their dads surnames. It's never been an issue. I just take their birth certificates when we go abroad.

Alba would be good as a middle name. Are there any other names you like? My sister recently had a baby and called her Alma.

My DD is Alba and her surname begins with B. She does have a traditional middle name but it’s never used anyway. I love her name (obviously).

I think Alba Bell actually flows really nicely, it goes better than my surname!

I wouldn’t. Just because it’s slightly hard to pronounce, and as the owner of a name that’s slightly hard to pronounce due to double L sounds, it’s a real pain in the arse. I really dislike saying my name aloud, which obviously is something one has to do very frequently throughout life.

Would you consider Alva?

I think Alba Bell is fine

I don’t like it. It doesn’t sound right to me. I would hate saying it if it was my name.

Wish people would stop going on about the surnames! She doesn’t want to use hers stop telling her she must

I think it’s ok - not ideal but not a problem either if you love the name.

Someone suggested Alva, that flows better if you’d like that too? But Alba is lovely.

Aria Bell is nice