Can we use this surname? If so, which order?

[patriciarose]

Due a baby at the end of the year and I am struggling with the surname. My partner has said he would like his to be used and when I asked him how that would be fair for me, he said he understands and isn't saying it should be, just that he would like it to be... so he is quite open to the alternative of double-barrelling.

Issue is, the surname will be so long. Peterson-Brookfield or Brookfield-Peterson... is it ok? Or is it just way too much? I am torn if it's worth using them both. We are engaged and will have this dilemma when it comes to marrying as well, so isn't a case of just giving my surname.

Thank you

I think Brookfield-Peterson rolls off the tongue better

Brookfield Peterson.

Though if you are combining names I prefer Brookson or Peterfield.

They are long but I think they sound fine together. How about making a new one? Brookfield? Or give the middle name Brooke or Peter?

I would not contemplate not giving my child my surname.

What it sounds like double barreled is neither here nor there. It's their name.

Sorry I just realised Brookfield is the name already and can't edit! But a pp had the same thought!

Give his as a middle name, yours as a surname.

I think it's fine to double barrel, and prefer Peterson-Brookfield personally, but both options work ok. Or you could combine?! - Brookson? Peterfield?

You are engaged, but do you actually have a date set with deposits made?

my husband and I were married, but each kept our own surname. We decided to let fate decide our child’s surname so we each had an equal chance of getting our last name used. Had we not been actually married, the baby would have had my name and kept my name even if we married in the future.

Child is free to make own choices Once reaches adulthood, but I won’t authorize surname changes during childhood.

You could always create a new surname of Peterfield or Brookson for you all. I know a couple that did this.

Personally I dislike double barrelled names. They sound clunky and pretentious to me. I also think they're shortsighted...double barrelling isn't maintainable for the next generation down, for obvious reasons - something will have to get dropped eventually which makes it seem kind of pointless to me.

I would have a short first name, no middle name and then the double barrelled surname if you going to go with both surnames.
For example Jake Brookfield-Peterson runs very nicely IMO.

@BlackberryCrumbs my surname is double barrelled. We’re the 5th generation of it, so far no issues with ‘the next generation’ … just saying.

TBH I like the idea of combining your names to create a new one. I know 3 couples who have done this and I think it’s super cool.

We kept our own surnames after getting married, our DDs have my surname with his surname as a middle name.

Of course, it's fine! Double barrelling sounds like the best option.

Give baby your surname or double barrel it with your name first (in my experience, many double barrel named kids drop part later on and it’s usually the second name that gets dropped)

There’s a whole policy for changing a child’s name upon mothers marriage to the father, so traditionally, you would name your surname then change it when you married the child’s father if you decide to take his name.

I find this very interesting!

I hope you don't mind me asking -
What happens if one in you family with the double barrelled name marries someone who wants to keep their own last name and also add your family name? And your family member wants to add the name of their spouse?
Will they both have three last names? (Double barrelled + new last name).

I find it weird that some people think a surname needs to be this solid thing that is unchanging through the generations.

But as an unmarried woman your baby should definitely have your surname, OP. Whether that means your surname alone or combined with your partner's. Traditionally a baby was given its mother's surname.

Both names are nice names.
Are you going to keep your own name once married?
I think you should name the baby the same as the name you will be known by once married.
Double barrelled names are fine and Brookfield Peterson sounds great. I would delete the hyphen.
Peterson Brookfield sounds a little like Peters and Brooksfield.

I would not create a new name (Brookson is fine but Peterfield sounds dodgy)

Peterbrook

Peterson-Brookfield

My Dc have a 5 syllable hyphenated surname., it’s fine

I vote Peterbrook for you all :)

Personally, I’d just have a quick marriage before baby comes and save wedding till after. There is a very very big difference in terms of how protected and secure your relationship is between being engaged and being married. Then decide on a family name and give it to the baby. I think if double barrelling then mum, dad and baby all have the same double barrelled name.

@SkaneTos if they wanted to. Triple barrels do exist. The two surnames in our name are both short (3 letters and 5 letters) It’s not happened in the family yet.

The original double barrel was man who had his mothers maiden name as a middle name. He joined them together to make his surname more distinctive.

This family isn’t very good at making new generations though. We’ve gone from one of 10 children down to just my two with the surname. Let’s see what they do with it.

Sound nice together, would give both to honour both parents. Brookfield-Peterson rolls better

What is the plan when you get married? If you are going to both have the same single surname eventually, I would go with that one alone. But if not, I would go with Brookfield-Peterson, it sounds fine.

The obvious solution is for the baby to take your name and then if your partner wants to match he changes his to yours (married or not).