double-barrelled surnames

[starlover]

Is there a particular rule about the order of double-barrelled names?
Traditionally, do you put the mother's name first or the father's? or is it just personal choice?
I am thinking of using both our names to avoid confusion (a friend keeps getting asked if she is her ds's mum cos of her diff name).

It would either be:
Stephens-Mitchell or
Mitchell-Stephens

first name will be Linus or Emilia

I don't know if there's a rule about these things but surely alot would depend on the "flow" of the names. Mitchell-Stephens flows better, IMHO!!

When is Linus/Emilia due?

s/he is due on 25th

If there is a rule I don't know what it is (we just put them togther in the 'best' way - ie the way that sounded best...)

DS has a double barrelled surname that was going to be just for official stuff but he really likes it

my name is first and DH second but that is not for any rule apart from how is sounds or looks.

I think MITCHELL-STEPHENS looks and sounds brill.

the prob with the other way is that people may think his name is stephen

or they may think it is STEPHEN'S and put apostrophe.

DS tends to write XAVIER Y-Z RATHER THAN XAVIER YANKANEE-ZULU OR EVEN "X. Y-Z"

sorry didn't really make that clear he does write X. Y-Z

also don't forget the passport has to be the same as AIR TICKETS

travel agents always need reminding

Most countries have rules about what you can do. I know the UK has rules about names when you are married - I found a good website about it. I agree - Mitchell-Stephens sounds better to me .

Starlover does it have to be double barrelled can't you settle for one?

In spain it's the Father's sur name first then the Mothers. I love you choice of names, they are fab.
Also agree Mitchell-Stephens looks better and sounds better too.

Ds was/is registered with both names - she didn't question which way round so I am assuming there is no 'rule', however, she did stress that as dp and I aren't married, and as I had registered ds with both names I would not, in the future be able to change it. .i.e if dp and I separated ds would still have both names (he couldn't be re-registered just with mine...), the only way he could be re-registered is if dp and I married, in which case ds could be re-registered with dp's surname....whew, hope that makes sense....

thanks for all the replies!
It was originally just going to be Mitchell, but then i remembered this friend of mine getting really upset one time when she had to take her ds to hospital and they kept asking if she was his mum!
I figured this way there coiuld be no confusion!
I think we will probably go with Mitchell-Stephens.. it does flow better as pointed out!
I also read somewhere that children with longer names learn to write better as they have more to learn for their name! have no idea if it's true or not though!

I'm sure baby will love you for it's name when it does name poems.. I don't think it helps having a very long name, and as for 'just in case it has to go to hospital' and they keep asking if your baby's mum..pha..still if you want to give it a big name go ahead, what ever makes your coggs turn...

we just made sure ds has a very short first name to compensate!

There are no rules that I know of - I double barrelled my name when I got married and have just put that name on my baby's birth certificate with no problems, then she has the option of using the whole lot or just the first bit (my husband's part of the name).
You can pretty much call yourself what you want anyway, just when you do get a passport, the plane ticket name must match exactly (this is the only thing that ever gives me trouble as my passport is still in my unmarried name - can't face getting another photo done). I seem to remember that it's a myth that you must change your name by deed poll to use a different one - legally you can call yourself what you want, it's just a lot easier if that matches your birth certificate! Mitchell-Stephens sounds better as well - and again, thee are no rules, you can do whatever you like with the order

Agree with the others about Mitchell-Stevens sounding better. But you can do whatever you like.

I'm unmarried, and we ummed and aahed about this one. Our names don't produce a nice double barrel, plus dp wasn't in favour of this solution. In the end dd got my name. The only logic was that I prefer my name to dp's (his is rather dull!), and he was rather keen on it too, I think he likes being seen as an unreconstructed feminist!

I had have just looked this up on the internet (well work isn't motivating me today!) and the citizens advice bureau website says you can call yourself what you want (but that's in the UK, rules are not so flexible if you or the child ends up somewhere else).

Also I don't see a problem with long names. The child can choose to use only one of them if he/she wants to .