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??

Nothing wrong with Marmaduke

We have the kind of forrin surname that makes folk ask several times what it is!

I have gone for strong traditional names from that country (unusal and but getting more usual sadly overhere) so folk concentrate more on the firstname than on the slightly amusing surname.

I like Monty too, although reminds me of the short form of Johnathon - Jonty, which several of my DB's school friends were saddled with.

I knew a great Digby, although now think of friend's Labrador.

Agree about the plain middle name suggestion, both my two have 'normal' ones to give them the option in future.

Isn't it Barnabas, not Barnabus? Or am I wrong?

yes, Barnabas

Yes I think so.

My name is not this, but along the lines of, Elizabeth Cooper.

You should see how many of me there are on facebook.

My mother's first name is a different nationality to our surname. Eg, Clodagh Cooper. This means that although neither of her names is uncommon, the combination is rarer.

I meant to add that that is one way of making sure that the name as a whole is rarer.

Opps, Barnabas. Typo. . . .

Funny because Lyndon is my Dads name (he is welsh) and his initials are LBJ - Lyndon Badge (another welsh name. I have never heard of Badge used anywhere else.

I like Monty too but am just not sure about Montgomery, don't really like the idea of christening a child with just Monty - I would prfere to give them the full name to give it longevity.

Also, make sure that the middle name is unusual for his generation.

My parents compounded the boring sur name and boring first name by giving me the middle name of Jane. Which I don't dislike, but it is Normal+Normal+Normal.

There are millions of me, in UK, Australia, America, NZ, SA, Ireland, it's ridiculous!

Monty Victor Johnson would be fabulous.

Alice, I completely agree, even if I rang somebody after twenty years and said

"it's rachel smith" (eg) because it's just such a normal name it's still entirely possible that I might have to say, you know me from workplacexyz! and then they'd remember me instantly, but my name, in its entirety is so bland that it doesn't automatically instantly ring bells after a long time. I know this to be true!!

Humphrey! In memory of Chairman Humph! I think Humphrey Johnson is nice.

(Am bitter about being at work again after snow day so am obsessing...)

I had a g'pig called Humphrey - very good g'pig name.

Wasn't Humphrey the name of the Downing Street cat (which Cherie banished)?

Have you considered Ethelred or Ezekial?
Sorry - Monty is nice and Barnabas too

I would have done that in your situation.

But as I have a truly ridiculous married surname, that needs to be spelled out to all and sundry, and repeating at least twice, and cannot be pronounced by parcel delivery drivers or GPs, I have done the reverse and named my children with single syllable, very old, biblical names.

Please please please consider however, how many times Baby Michaelangelo is going to have to spell his first name.

Or he will end up being called "Johnno".

Surely he may well be called Johnno whatever his first name?

I am with carryonuptheliffey. DH has a really dull surname so the boys do too. Their first names are Scottish, ordinary in Scotland but moderately unusual in London. We did consider the really wacky ones (Mungo appealed, for example) but felt that would be too much of a cross to bear for the child concerned.

I know a lovely 3 year old Mungo - don't think (and hope) his name will hold him back.

I like Wilbur.

If I had your surname I would definitely go unusual.

Our surname is even duller than Johnson, and I kind of regret giving DD a common(ish) name. I made up for it with DS however

Montgomery Johnson is my favourite from your list. Lovely

Karamazov There's even a Mark Johnson (obstetrician) named on a totally unrelated post today!

yup, my first thought was Planet of the Apes to Cornelius too. Shorten to Corny.

Thanks stayfrosty! Will be asking DN what he thinks!

Ooh, just had a thought - what about Aloysius? Great name. He was Sebastian's teddy bear in Brideshead Revisited, iirc.