Horrid surname with teasing potential

[ihatemysurname]

Hello, pls be kind, cus my lovely Lancashire DH takes this very personally, but our surname is Rimmer.

He's teased a fair bit for its sexual conocations (more so down here in Bristol than up North), but obviously there are worst names and our DCs are unlikely to experience that until secondary school. However, it's proving extremely difficult for us to pick a name for our first baby, who is due to arrive VERY SOON.

So, my question to you, the mumsnet jury is, which of the following boys and girls names softens the blow most effectively? And do any of them make it sound even WORSE? (pls restrain from any real hooting ladies, I'm a little fragile today). Thank you!

Alicia Rimmer
Ellie Rimmer
Scarlett Rimmer

Jonathan Rimmer
Reuben Rimmer
Cassius Rimmer

Rimmer isn't that bad at all.

Of the names you've suggested I'd go for either Jonathan or Alicia.

I knew a family whose name was Pusey, they pronounced it puzee.

Be thankful it isn't any worse.

My dp's surname is Wellard - so another harsh name. Although not rude still very laughable to some people, Although he nor his siblings ever got bullied because of it. But people i know think it's Hilarious.

Definately not Jonathon (Johnny Rimmer??)

Love Isabel or Isobel (crikey but then just thought Bell Rimmer)

Message withdrawn

well hello mrs rimmer. i see your foray into text speak didn't last long.

you know, your own name does sound a lot nicer if you drop an m and pronounce it rhymer...

agree that Scarlett sadly makes it worse. Even more so if the middle name started with a T.

Don't like Reuben with it either.

Isabel better than Isabella (too many syllables)

nothing beginning with A, T or G, or in fact any other letter that makes an obvious word. DEFINITELY not G - G.Rimmer, bad.

Something unusual would be best, then the surname will be less used. To me Rimmer will always be Red Dwarf, but I am sure that is now fairly irrelevant Not sure about Cassius though.

i dont think your surnames that bad at all

I would avoid Scarlett for reasons mentioned above and an A initial and Reuben Rimmer would be off my list. I would be fine with the rest.

I think the idea of dropping an 'm' from your surname (is this an option for you?)

Scarlett Rimer sounds sweet

Isobel?

Why don't you all go with your maiden name - I don't get why you would stick with a surname like this!

It's not THAT bad.

I watched Red Dwarf for years and it never crossed my mind that Rimmer was in any way a rude word.

I guess theres a few initials which might be worth avoiding though... G for instance, not everyone can carry off a name like G.Rimmer though I say it myself.

i actually don't think that's too bad a surname, I've heard a hell of a lot worse. I dated a Simon Smellie many years ago.

I know a family called Rimmer. Couldn't BELIEVE it when they called their pfb a Christian name starting with G!

I know an Andrew Pratt...

Poppy Rimmer is nice.

Hey OP, I'm in the same boat and have recently married (and taken the surname of) a lovely man with a sniggery surname.

We are ttc and I'm already keen to avoid certain inital combinations for first & second name such as 'BJ' and will have to be careful with choice of first names too.

As mentioned upthread not everyone knows what rimming is so your kids may get off lightly...

My advice would be, love your kid and give him or her lots of confidence, so any teasing will be like water off a duck's back.

I would go classic, names like Jonothan and Elizabeth are good, with a middle name, or your maiden name and a hyphen maybe?

Rimmer - oh yes, for me that's Red Dwarf then . I like Ellie for a girl and Jonathan for a boy. Don't worry - it's not as bad as some. And my surname causes all sorts of problems - mostly people don't know how to spell it!!

I don't think it's that bad. Jonathan Rimmer sounds lovely, a good strong name.