Plain surname crazy first name?

[SAEJ]

DH and I can't decide. . . . we have a bland surname - Johnson - yawn (have to say my maiden name was better but I was feeling traditional!).

So, if we have a plain surname then do you think that means you can get away with a more unusual first name (particularly for a boy who is less likely to change surname) or should it be plain plus plain??

What names are you thinking of?

I'd vote for unusual, plain + plain = boring!!

I wouldn't think about names in that light - I would just choose names I like that go with the surname and that (in the end) suit the baby when it arrives.

yes I would - and I would also avoid the first name Mark, for some reason I have met lots of mark johnsons - even taught two in the same class - now that was confusing!

Ok, must admit we were not considering Mark. We were thinking of less traditional names - Digby/Montgomery/Barnabus/Wilbur/Lyndon. DH even likes Heathcliff.

Still not sure if I dare!

Wilbur seems to be our top 'unusual' name at the moment.

Of the plainer names we are thinking of George/Thomas/Charles/William etc

I like particularly like Digby, Wilbur and Lyndon.

I think Caravaggio is appallingly pretentious. Poor kid, that's going to be really fun to learn how to write at school! I don't think that plain surnames need fancy first names, or that people with fancy surnames can't have interesting first names too. But I do think that first and second name need to balance well in the way that they sound. Choose a name you like that sounds good with the surname. Personally I think there is a balance between traditional and outlandish, with plenty of interesting and unusual names in between. I like Digby best of your less traditional names (although they were traditional in their time). I wouldn't choose Lyndon because of LBJ. Wilbur makes me think of Charlotte's Web, although that's not a bad thing

I know a Mark Johnson too.

I think there is definitely something to be said for giving him a less usual first name with a very usual surname. It will obviously still be a name you love, a name that suits him, and a name that goes with the surname.

I used to work as an administrator in a Children's Hospital. Try asking the consultants something about a child called Mark Johnson and they wouldn't have a clue who you were talking about without having a sit down and a proper read through the notes. The Ptolomys and Buiks though, they knew about. People with memorable names keep a higher profile in peoples minds and that can definitely be an advantage in my opinion.

The woman who sold us our house 4 years ago was called Dhalia. If she phoned me out of the blue I would know exactly who she was and how I know her. I, on the other hand, have a really really common name and I even have to specify which dull firstname I am when I phone my inlaws. Everyone knows at least 3 of me.

"Still not sure if I dare!"

It's not you that has to dare - it's your child!

Exactly seeker. I have an unusual name which I love. But I always get very positive feedback about it. I doubt Caravaggio will have that experience, and what on earth is the point if he always calls himself Cal (although Calvin is cool).

Giving your child a name that he may well be ashamed of is not the best gift in the world. Not that I think the OP is on that track (although Heathcliff comes bloody close IMO)

Nooka - DH also wanted me to consieder Marmaduke........

Agree with others that a common first name combined with a common surname (Johnson) is boring and will make his name much less memorable.

However, teaming Johnson with a more interesting/unique name will give him a higher profile in people's minds which, imo, is a clear advantage.

I particularly like

Montgomery Johnson
Quentin Johnson
Wilbur Johnson

I actually like Montgomery
Monty Johnson is pretty cool - I like the assonance of the similar vowel sounds

Tiberius? Isembard?

I agree - I was once a Jones and wish I'd kept it in order to have some first-name fun. I listened to a radio play with a character called Iolanthe Jones once - love it! Sadly DP surname is more"exotic" and difficult to spell so it's Marys and Johns for us to compensate...

I would choose something that is interesting and unusual, without being to wacky. I would then give him a more plain middle name, so that if he really hates his first name, he has a bit of choice.

too wacky I mean (before the pedants descend!)

Our second name is a boring Brown and DS is called Max - it isn't boring but manly and strong - well I think so.

I like Wilbur - he can shorten it to Wil when he gets teased at least!

ps Wilbur is gorgeous.

Message withdrawn

lol at Lyndon Johnson

Digby sounds best from your list. I don't like the others. Barnaby is better than Barnabus. Although I quite like Monty Johnson.

Didn't copy you - honestly

Yup - go unusual. I've known two John Johnsons.

Love Digby, Wilbur and Barnaby (which I think works better with your surname than Barnabus although in isolation I like both equally).

It's like Inigo Jones, Indiana Jones or Zadie Smith - memorable and distinctive because their first names are out of the ordinary.

like boris you mean?

yes definately

rutger
lucas
rodrigo

PMSL @ Boris