Edith Tabitha or Edith Calliope and what to do with my last name?

[purpletrees16]

48 hours to decide due to a sneaky preregistration form forcing our hand. My husband chose her first name (which I really like) and is happy with either middle names. We’ve narrowed down a long list but he has an extensive living family that all keep in touch (think multiple visits per year upwards of 70 people) so if it’s a popular name in the UK then likely she already has a second cousin who she will meet in May.

Which of the two options do you prefer?

Edith Tabitha - Tabitha is a bible story I always liked (she’s a female disciple who gives to the poor) & the name I liked as a child. I am Christian.

Edith Calliope - all my mum’s family are named after character’s from the Odyssey. Also extended family have kept a classical theme. Calliope is goddess of eloquence and her myths have positive experiences for her (not her kids though.)

Finally, I didn’t take my husband’s name at marriage as it’s my name, my identity (I go by my initials as shortening), and I didn’t want to change it. However, I have no desire to pass it to the next generation so she will have my husband’s last name.

Would sticking my last name as a middle name (legally there but never used verbally) make any legal or travel processes easier? From what I’ve read, I think it doesn’t? If so, I won’t bother.

thanks for the help!

Edith is a lovely choice! Both middle name options are lovely! I personally have a soft spot for the name Tabitha, so my vote would be for Edith Tabitha.

I like Edith Tabitha as I like Tabitha more, but both names flows poorly. Do you plan to give your child two middle names? If so, then Edith Tabitha _ Surname flows better than Edith Calliope __ Surname because of that i in the middle of Calliope.

Such lovely names, honestly I could not choose so Edith Tabitha Calliope to use them all!

yes, if I use the surname then 2 middle names. My surname is one syllable.

I like that Calliope ties to your family heritage. DC have my surname and a middle name that is an Island, as DP is named after an island, so both our names continue in a fashion. DP doesn't have a great family background and so no desire to carry on the surname!

Love them both.
Prefer edith calliope

I love Tabitha, personally I’d use that as a first name as there are soo many Edith’s now. But if you are set on Edith than Edith Tabitha.

I love the link that Calliope creates - which is exactly how I chose my children’s middle names. I’d also put your surname in as another middle name.

Are you serious about these names? I wonder if I live in the same country and era.

Edith Calliope because of the connection - and also avoids two "th" sounds. Although I love Tabitha too. Great names.

Why? Lots of Edies, Ediths etc at my daughter’s primary.

Edith Tabitha ❤️

Edith Tabitha flows better I think.

@LlynTegid what is wrong with those names? both in the top 100 names

Just popping on to say that Edith is obviously a fabulous name.
Both possible middle names are lovely.

You might live somewhere with quite homogenous cultural norms, maybe, if these names seem outlandish to you? Calliope is fairly unusual, I admit, but I've said it before and I'll say it again - just because someone hasn't heard of a name or doesn't know anyone with it, doesn't make it crazy/terrible/cruel/attention-seeking.

I prefer Tabitha as a name to Calliope but I’m not sure it flows that well with Edith due to the repeated ‘ith’ sounds, so I would say Edith Calliope.

Sorry Edith is an old lady's name of 80 years old. Tabitha is slightly better from tgat housewife with h
Who usd to snithch her nose.

Could you not use both? The surname thing I don't think matters (I don't have the same name, still use my 'maiden' name) It's never been an issue, even when flying. If you can't pick I'd use both, if only one I think I'd go Calliope

I don't like any sorry.

I've never heard of Calliope (excuse my ignorance). How is it pronounced?

Don’t worry about the travel. It’s not a problem.

i’ve had friends with the same name stopped regularly. I never have been despite having different names.

there are many cultures where mums don’t have the same name as kids. They don’t seem to have a problem travelling either

I don't think adding your surname as a middle name would have any effect, or give any weight when travelling.

I prefer the flow of Edith Tabitha, but I like the symbolism of your family with Calliope. People rarely ever say the whole name so why not choose Calliope.

(I think it's pronounced Cal Lie Oh Pee?)

Edith isn't very common. It isn't in the Top 100 names for girls (2022). Go for Edith Caliope - love the connection.

Calliope

Edith Tabitha is too many ths too close together for comfort.

Edith Tabitha, or maybe consider Edith Talitha?