Help me find a surname

[IAmSproutycus]

I’d be glad of any ideas suitable for a surname for a woman who no longer wishes to be named after the men in her life. She would ideally like something three or four syllables (although would consider two), must not be a derivative of a male name (e.g. Oliver, Jackson, etc). It would be nice if it had some meaning associated with women, strength, resilience or similar, or something with a good female history. She would prefer to not have a surname at the furthest end of the alphabet due to publishing, but would be open to all suggestions. Sorry that I won’t be going into more detail than that, so will understand if people wanted more information before contributing, but for anyone up for a bit of free thinking fun, bring us your best! Many thanks collective womyn (this is like the ‘name my baby’ threads, but for an adult) 😊

Sorry, unescorted

Or just go mad. I was at uni with a girl called Sky Wheeler (not sure if real name), and one night a mutual friend dreamed she was called Star Spinner - and you could just go on adding in cosmic fabulousness!

I love the surname Penhaligon too. Also Ollerenshaw. Faircloth. Honeybourne. Isn’t there a Cornish first name for girls - Loveday? That is fab too.

Daily use Turph, so nothing too bonkers re spelling thanks.

Artemis!

You could repeat the first name, so if yhe re can be a Neville Neville and Thomas Thomas, surely there can be a Sally Sally ?

Or, Sally Mine? Sally One ?

Macaroon, I’d reckon a low cosmic fabulous factor is required for this one. Very low in cosmic fabulousness indeed. Practically cosmically dead. Very practical.

Sojourner? After Sojourner Truth.

In academia the order of names is usually decided based on contribution to the article, not on alphabet....

Banana-hammock as in Princess Consuela Banana-hammock

Hello Contessa, completely right of course, just like to cover all bases. That’s why it’s on the wish list, but not a deciding factor.

Mama, I reckon you’ve nailed it. Banana hammock it is 😁

Don't do an Icelandic name if you don't know anything about Icelandic grammar and can't decline a feminine name..

Lindu is the genitive of Linda, not Lindas. For example.

I like Sojourner, is there an issue of cultural appropriation for a white woman to use that do you reckon?

I am making it tricky, sorry all!
Thanks magic, good advice.

What a lovely thread, I’ve always fancied Winter or Frost, but Spring or Summer are more feminine? Or Easter? Also a place marker in Scotland, Easter Ross for example.

Sojourner is a great name.

Bridget or Brighid after the Celtic goddess of wisdom.
Bell was the male pseudonyms the Bronte sisters published as. Or you could select one of their names Currie, Acton or Ellis.
Pilar is the name of the brave heroine in Hemingway’s novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls.
Inkeeping with woman activists;
Millicent or Fawcett after Millicent Fawcett
Emmeline Pankhurst (either of those would work as a surname too)
Wollstonecraft after Mary Wollstonecraft.
Fuller after Margaret Fuller
Stanton after Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Blackwell after elizabeth Blackwell (first female doctor)

Banana hammock it is
Really? isn't it the same as a budgie-smuggler?

Birch

Wrong end of the alphabet, but what about Wild?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jul/04/feminism-communes-children

Arc or D'Arc
Curie
Greek mythology ones that could potentially work as a surname:
Artemis (ancient virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, childbirth, and a protector of young girls)
Rhea (Rhea was the Greek Titan and the mother of Zeus. She represents motherhood and fertility.)

There are also some Greek ones you definitely want to stay away from! Eg Andromeda means 'advising like a man'.

Other legends/folklore
Blenda (Swedish heroine, something about fighting off the Danish army)
Boudica (see here )
de Montfort (bonus you can pretend to be aristocratic) (see here )

Actual surnames:
Pritchard or Blalock (see here )

There are also a bunch of powerful women in African/Asian/native American folklore but I wouldn't go for any of those as IMO it'd be insensitive unless you have some kind of link (heritage etc)

I'm not sure, really - in that case maybe Lovelace, after Ada Lovelace? Admittedly it was her married name because she was born a Byron but it's such a cool one

Oh I have got it. Weatherwax! Wrong end of the alphabet but worth it IMO.

I came on here to suggest Artemis, but others have beaten me to it.

I am now seriously considering changing my surname to Weatherwax!

Lovelady
Rosenblum

Tree names, Whitebeam, Hornbeam, Juniper
Flowers. Columbine. Oxlip. Celandine.

Themyscria.

Or what about a surname like Power or Strong or Bright?

What are you good at or love ? Eg names of trees, plants if you love them, names of birds. Things you might do, eg Baker . Reader.