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Original poster

Which surname for Penelope?

37 replies

steppes · 03/05/2009 16:37

DP and I both really like Penelope for 1 week-old DD but can't decide which of our surnames to use, despite one of them being harder to pronounce/spell than the other. We don't have an emotional attachment to either of them and don't know which sounds best, what do you think?

Penelope Racher (sounds like Rachel but with an r)
Penelope West

she may well be known as Pen too.

OP posts:
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littlelamb · 03/05/2009 16:39

Why not Racher-West?

Original poster
steppes · 03/05/2009 16:47

We're just not keen on double-barrelled.

OP posts:
MissPiggyHasTheFlu · 03/05/2009 16:48

West

juuule · 03/05/2009 16:48

Racherwest?

Pitstopp? Sorry couldn't resist

Littlefish · 03/05/2009 16:57

West

Nancy66 · 03/05/2009 17:02

West

WowOoo · 03/05/2009 17:03

West

TheFallenMadonna · 03/05/2009 17:04

West

Dottoressa · 03/05/2009 17:11

West

sockmonster · 03/05/2009 17:13

West. She could be a really intriguing author- Pen West- how cool.

Racher's not a bad surname but she will have a lifetime of spelling it, and it doesn't flow with the forename. Also Penelope is 4 syllables, and rule of thumb is to use shortest surname possible (1 syllable..West!)

Penelope West- great

sleepyhead3 · 03/05/2009 17:14

West sounds better.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 03/05/2009 17:14

West

SpaceTrain · 03/05/2009 17:40

I vote West too

Surfermum · 03/05/2009 17:44

I'd go for Racher because it's less common. And I mean more unusual before I offend someone!

Tortington · 03/05/2009 17:45

the kid should have the dads name imo

DamonBradleylovesPippi · 03/05/2009 17:48
Hmm
Ivykaty44 · 03/05/2009 17:50

West - easy to spell

Podrick · 03/05/2009 18:02

Racher is nicer

FWIW I think it is sensible for children to have the mother's name since the mother is usually the one to have most contact with school and also if the parents ever split the kids are more likely to stay with the mother - far easier if they have matching names therefore...the patriarchal "take the father's name" approach just doesn't add up imo.

juuule · 03/05/2009 18:12

This is why it's easier if you both had the same surname.

"We don't have an emotional attachment to either of them"
Why not decide on one surname and all of you just use that.

Tidey · 03/05/2009 18:26

If you got married, would you take your partner's name? If so, it would make sense if she had your DP's name. I think West sounds better with the name Penelope, but Racher-West sounds nice too.

melpomene · 03/05/2009 21:27

West. Won't get misheard or misspelled, and it flows better. Long forename goes better with a short surname.

nowwearefour · 03/05/2009 21:37

west

BarcodeZebra · 03/05/2009 21:41

I have my Mum's maiden name as a second middle name. My DW has kept her maiden name so our kids have two middle names the second of which is her surname. When they grow up they can decide for themselves. I'm with juule though. I think the whole family should change by deed poll to Pitstop.

Umlellala · 03/05/2009 21:47

We have done that too (my surname as second middle name), Penelope Racher West would be nice.

DamonBradleylovesPippi · 04/05/2009 08:48

I vote for Penelope Racher West too.

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