Which surname for Penelope?

[steppes]

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.

pitstop for sure

Racher as a second name will always be 'corrected' to Rachel.

My surname is one letter away from a name that everyone recognises and people just CANNOT help themselves from correcting it. Even if they have just seen me write it .

Which ever is her Dads surname if you don't want to double barell it.

Penelope Racher West with Racher being a second name not a double barrel. I know this is not something you will believe or want to hear at this point but it really is better for a child to carry a mothers name if you are not sharing a family surname. The registrar tried to tell me this when my dd was little but I didn't listen (as I was all glowing and happy). I regret it now.

I second KingCanute. Sensible words.

racher is nice unusual.Don't think it matters which parents name is used.It is tradition nothing else.

Penelope Racher West sounds right to me.

west p.s love penelope

Thank you for all your replies, very helpful, I agree that West is easier and with the points about using Mum's surname, which it is, so we're pretty much decided to go with that. Racher West as two names also sounds good but I think DuffyFluckling you're right that people will think it's Rachel as it's a middle not a surname.

Being family Pitstop is appealing tho

Kingcanute why is it better the have a mother's surname? Is it for practical reasons?

Damon, yes. In short, if a child does not have a mothers surname then people are quite within their rights to ask for proof that they are the mother. I have been asked to provide a birth certificate in hospital before I could make decisions regarding care. Whilst it was not an emergency it was emergency treatment IYSWIM. I have also been asked to prove parentage by schools and more. It can make overseas travel more complicated. Some countries are more rigourous than others in checking htings like this.

I am not alone, quite a few SP I know have had similar experiences. One parent being refused treatment for their dc until her right to authorise could be verified by the father or a birth certificate could be produced. In her case it seemed to be that it was made more difficult because the child looks more like her ex than her and the HP in question felt there was a chance the child was not hers.

Obviously there is also the thing of what happens if the family does not stay together long term, if a new partner comes in, if there are more children etc but, IMO these are more side issues (although they are worth bearing in mind).

Yes KingCanute I see your point. They did look at me a bit funny at airports abroad when shown my italian passport which shown my maiden name. I have both mine and my dh surname now so I guess it is okay as I've never had problem, except with one stupid school.