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) 😊

Lots of women's names can be used as surnames: Cherry, Faith, Hannah, Grace, Shirley. Probably loads more if we stop to think. I know someone who publishes under her first name and middle name and everyone assumes the second name is her actual surname.

Iseethelight thanks re Andromeda! Deffo avoiding mansplaining surnames! There are some gorgeous African heritage names, but not appropriate in this case.

Lots of people say Artemis, will go and read up. Two for Weatherwax so far, ditto. Ever so grateful everyone, please do keep them coming. You're saving us one woman at a time from ownership (said very much tongue in cheek, and mean no offence to anyone. Very much to each her own and all that)

Ashwood

Applethorpe

Firethorn

I'm not sure, really - in that case maybe Lovelace, after Ada Lovelace?
Most people would think of Deep Throat

bluescreen I agree, best ideas so far IMHO

Ishtar - Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of fertility, love, war, and sex (she covered all bases)

Turph Oh, God I have never heard of that sheltered life maybe not then!

I quite like Wollstonecraft too, I have to say....

what are you good at or love I love composing pithy tweets against eejits which probably only I think are pithy, feminism, women, justice, integrity, silly jokes, hugs, honesty, tea, fresh linen, tea (!), reading, my job which is a bit too specific to include, my children, my spouse, Scotland, and mumsnet (first person to suggest that last as a surname gets blocked 🙂). I’m good at nagging, listening, being passionate, not giving up when it matters, I’m very loyal, I get cranky easily but hold few grudges, I can clean a toilet like a pro, and dismantling the patriarchy (very, very slowly 🙂). Hope that helps!

Bewilderness had to look that one up! Love the idea but the spelling might get a bit tedious. Took me three goes to get it on google 🙂

Eden
Dove

You've mentioned ownership a couple of times, so what about the opposite - Liberty? Self? Champion?

Freedom?

Turph Oh, God I have never heard of that

It has been known for people to run baby names past me to see what horrible bullying mockery I can make out of them. Saves it happening to the kid at school

And on a serious note, having a name that is hard to spell is no joke. If you've been lucky enough to be "Jo Smith" up until now you won't realise how much of a PITA it can be.

How many syllables in your first name OP?

What about just Wild or Wylde or Wilder.

The last could be in reference to the lovely Laura ingalls wilder.

Love Liberty!

Have wikipedia’d Granny Weatherwax. I think I’m in love with a fictional character ❤️

Moriarty. Means navigator.

I came here to say Penhaligon, but someone else has beaten me to it. No idea why, it is just a good name, and I did know someone many years ago who chose it when she no longer wanted her exH or father's name.

Ohhh. I want to change my last name now. It's currently a mans firstname 😣

Perhaps I could be Wild now and Wilder as I age?

Evil spouse is enforcing bedtime so I’d better get me some kip and will look forward to anything further by tomorrow night. Many thanks for the collective wisdom xx

I also think last names denote ownership, so what about a number instead? And you would be One. I like that. But if you don’t like the idea of just being a number, how about Virago? Or too far in the alphabet? Dr. V; Bond villain and strong woman in one!

Turph that's a valuable public service you're providing

I second the difficult name advice; my name is 'Contessa.... Errr' on the phone because no-one knows how to say the rest of it!

How about Longstocking. The strongest girl in the world (though not a woman, I suppose she must have grown up to be the strongest woman in the world). A gloriously independent and subversive character and one created by a woman.

Also a bit of a nod to feminism with the similarity to redstocking and bluestocking.

Undaunted could be good.