Does anyone else love the American surname type names?

[IcedCokeFloat]

I do but I feel so alone in this. I'm a big fan of names like Hunter, Hudson, Ryder, Wilder, Sullivan etc.

If you're a fan what are your favourites?

@YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators

I try not to be judgy about names -I'm a teacher and meet so many children and families. But these names seem like such a wasted opportunity to me; so many interesting, curious, evocative, beautiful names which hint at aspects of nature, mythology, or states of being to choose from. So why pick a name that literally just references... another name? The surname-namers definitely have a certain vibe in common.

"... a certain vibe in common".

I really hope you manage to mask your classism more efficiently in your day to day work with children and families.

You try not to judge? You should try harder.

@YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators

I try not to be judgy about names -I'm a teacher and meet so many children and families. But these names seem like such a wasted opportunity to me; so many interesting, curious, evocative, beautiful names which hint at aspects of nature, mythology, or states of being to choose from. So why pick a name that literally just references... another name? The surname-namers definitely have a certain vibe in common.

Oh interesting. You dislike the names because you don't understand them. Why not try asking someone "that is an interesting name, what does "Sullivan" (or Jenson or whatever) mean to you?" Lots of surnames are evocative. Jackson makes me think of Jackson Pollack and a lovely day I once had in the New York Museum of Modern Art. Hudson brings to mind Hudson Bay. Mason, Carter, Fletcher remind me of friends with those names. It's not my naming style, but I always wonder what it means to the person who named the child.

@SeanChailleach yes! Exactly this. No one knows why I called my second born Cooper, or why I named any of my three other boys what I did for that matter, and although it doesn't matter to anyone but me (or my husband), it would be a refreshing change if the nay-sayers took that into account instead of just immediately categorising it into their stereotyped views.

I quite like a lot of them. I love Cassidy!

I met a little girl caller Cooper when I was teaching a gymnastics class and she was the coolest! Really suited her ❤️

@mathanxiety

YY to 'Mrs Hinch = almost as bad as She Who Must Not Be Mentioned' here on MN. I admire her dedication, and hats off to her for turning cleaning into money. I think of her as a feminist role model for that.

I'd have to disagree with you on Mrs Hinch being a feminist role model. Even the name MRS Hinch rather than using her own first name seems anti feminist as well as pushing this obsession with cleaning like it's a hobby. A good little wife who keeps their house spotlessly clean with hundreds of chemicals, hardly breaking down the barriers of sexism is she.

Anyway... I dislike the surname as first name type names especially the ones ending in "son". I think it's quite nice when there's a family connection like the mothers surname but overall I just find them very bland. Like a pp stated, with all the beautiful evocative names to choose from, it just feels very unimaginative.

I was surprised to see Clayton and Mallory referenced as surname names though, I've always considered them to be standard firstnames, so maybe with this kind of popularity all the other surname names will begin to feel like standard names in time.

I don't like them - they're just not my personal style. I don't really understand the snobbishness though - Romilly was also originally a surname, and few MNers would have a problem with it. I think the "problem" is less to do with them being surnames, and more to do with them being associated with American culture and media. I myself like a lot of European names, which I think would get a lot of reactions on Mumsnet for not being British. But you can't please everyone and I'm not aiming to.

Naming a child Maverick really is a silly thing to do, IMO.

Beautiful names that ‘hint at as aspects of nature, mythology, or states of being’ isn’t really on most people’s List when thinking of baby names though. Do you think William and Kate thought of these evocative hints when they chose George? What hint of mythology or state of being does that hint at? I know I didn’t when I chose eg Hannah and Thomas (not real names).

Hardly anyone chooses names based on evocations of mythology and nature because your child’s name isn’t where you advertise your education in mythology, it’s where you (hopefully) choose a nice wearable name that will serve your child.

So pretentious to judge people who don’t choose ‘beautiful evocative’ names hinting at their cleverness and awareness of nature and mythology. And it doesn’t make you look too good or too clever I’m afraid.

No, not for Brits. I have met an American Bennett and Hamilton. We have some Bennetts in the family so it was a little unusual but I got over it pretty quickly. An American friend has said they find our cutesy boy names and double barrel girl names off putting and I agree with them. Not a fan of their surname as first names trend and not a fan of our cutesy double barrel or nicknamey first name trend.

@Mushypeasandchipstogo

Another who thinks that they are fine in the USA but definitely “down market” as far as I’m concerned . What on earth is wrong with good old fashioned British or Irish names ?

I think you'll find Irish names are seen as "down market" on Mumsnet as well.

Oh yes. Connor - naughty boy name. Kian - naughty boy name. Every Irish name - naughty boy name. It’s not prejudice though… they’re just ‘downmarket’ and ‘chavvy.’ Not because they’re Irish though, just because.

@Nancydrawn

I always associate it with people who stencil their walls with inspirational phrases.

🤣

Most of them are not really my thing, but I think I tend to like them more the longer they've been in use here (UK). So names like Tyler and Paige, although I wouldn't use them myself, I do instinctively recognise as valid names. If someone called their baby Maguire or Tomkinson I'd still find it a bit strange.

I love them! From the thread I take it this could be because I'm American, but some of my favorite names -

Clark
Reid
Spencer
Cameron
Harley

and honestly I'd love any of the above on a girl or boy.

I have a Lincoln so I’m definitely in the camp of open to them 👍. More/less keen as I am on other names but surely it’s down to individual choice and I try not to judge on others name choices.

And I really like Fraser and Spencer.

I'm not a fan of Madison for girl but the surname as first name I dislike is Jaxon

I've seen a couple of Jaxon's.

Bad enough, without spelling it with an x.