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Original poster

Parents giving their children masculine/feminine form of their own name?

39 replies

Topazbutterfly · 18/05/2023 12:49

What do you think of parents giving their children a masculine/feminine form of their own name? For example Nigel Lawson and his daughter Nigella Lawson. Many thanks

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SilentParrot · 18/05/2023 12:53

Egotistical and unimaginative.

TheOtherHotstepper · 18/05/2023 12:53

Well, Nigella is a lovely flower, so that pretty much works.

By coincidence, I came across a woman called Ruperta this morning. I'm not so sure about this one.

Mochudubh · 18/05/2023 13:15

Dani Dyer?

Original poster
Topazbutterfly · 18/05/2023 13:19

Do you think it's nice to use masculine/feminine version of your own name for a child, as it's a family name or is it nicer for them to have a different name entirely?

OP posts:
Mochudubh · 18/05/2023 13:19

Thinking about it, in my Granny's day it was relatively common to name a first born after the father even if it was a girl. So women might be called Donaldina or Hectorina, esp in the west Highlands.

narrichi · 18/05/2023 13:22

I know of a couple e.g. an Alannah who has a dad named Alan.

I think it can be a fun way to pass down a family name rather than doing the "Junior" thing. As long as the name in question sounds like a reasonable name and not an awkward and clunky feminisation, I don't see a problem with it.

Reugny · 18/05/2023 13:22

It's as unimaginative as calling your son something like "Donald Jr" .

Some names like Nigella and Dani I don't think of as strange as they are recognisable girls names. There as names like Donaldina or Hectorina seem just odd.

Luredbyapomegranate · 18/05/2023 13:23

It’s a naff thing to do, obviously.

SilentParrot · 18/05/2023 13:24

Nigella has really risen above a very ugly name. Although her sisters Horatia and Thomasina didn't fare much better in the name stakes.

Mochudubh · 18/05/2023 13:24

Reugny · 18/05/2023 13:22

It's as unimaginative as calling your son something like "Donald Jr" .

Some names like Nigella and Dani I don't think of as strange as they are recognisable girls names. There as names like Donaldina or Hectorina seem just odd.

I agree. Luckily it wasn't really a thing in our family and my Granny had a normal name (for 100 years ago).

FayCarew · 18/05/2023 13:25

Depends on the name. I don't think a Louise having a son called Louis, or a Philip having a daughter called Pippa, would raise many eyebrows.

Muhwanda · 18/05/2023 13:25

I think it’s quite weird. I have a friend named Alexander that named his daughter Alexa. Seems really odd.

Marlena1 · 18/05/2023 13:26

My parents did this (I'm the female version of the name). I don't mind the name so it's fine. I think they would possibly have called me that anyway as it ticked all the boxes for them (although it's a "chav" name on MN😁) I think if the name is one you like, why not?

Spcd · 18/05/2023 13:32

I'm not keen on it, especially if they both generally have the same shortening - then you end up referring to them as e.g. boy Alex and girl Alex (we have this in my extended family - not Alex - and it irritates me every time I have to refer to one of them). It must also be really annoying for them within the home where effectively you've got two people living there with the same name.

Hazelnuttella · 18/05/2023 13:34

SilentParrot · 18/05/2023 12:53

Egotistical and unimaginative.

Same.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 18/05/2023 15:10

I don’t like it. Like others say unimaginative and egotistical. I was named after my dad but I don’t think about it and often forget it. It’s not quite so obvious as some names. More like Nicholas / Nicole.

(And it’s not in my MN name so not Thomasina)

sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 15:26

Mochudubh · 18/05/2023 13:15

Dani Dyer?

I love it

mydogisthebest · 18/05/2023 15:33

Well at least Nigel and Nigella are slightly different. The dick Danny Dire calling his daughter Dani is pathetic

ourflagmeansdeath · 18/05/2023 17:31

Like they did in the Roman times lol. Flavius and Flavia, Cornelius and Cornelia...that's all it reminds me of.

I think it's nicer to give your child their own name but it's fine if it's still a fairly distinct and slightly different name on its own.

Londonlady1423 · 18/05/2023 18:49

I like it, lovely way to pass on a family name. I definitely prefer it to having the same actual name, both my husband and mother have their parents exact names. Though I only like it if it's a real actual name not something made up but then I'm not a fan of the newer made up sounding names sorry!

OP are you planning to do this with your child?

tallsmallmum · 18/05/2023 19:04

SilentParrot · 18/05/2023 12:53

Egotistical and unimaginative.

says you 🤷🏽‍♀️

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 18/05/2023 19:44

My name has a common masculine version... but I couldn't do it with a straight face. I'd be so embarrassed introducing a DS with it.

Pinkbonbon · 18/05/2023 19:47

Narcissistic and self important.
The same as giving them the same name with 'junior'. Fine back in the day. Creepy now.

junebirthdaygirl · 18/05/2023 19:51

I always think they were disappointed they had a girl so just stuck an A on and gave the poor girl the name they had planned for the son they were expecting.

Spendonsend · 18/05/2023 20:01

I'm not offended by it particularly if they sound quite different. It seems less odd than passing on the exact same name.

I have two sons and We used family middle names honoring men. I sort of wish Id honoured the women too now.

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