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HelpDaughter's Name
My husband and I just recently found out that we are having a girl and we have chosen the names, but we are still trying to decide on the order of the names.
Without giving away the actual names, here are the options for our daughter's name:
Option 1
- A hyphenated first name (total of 4 syllables)
- Two middle names (syllables: 1, 2)
Option 2
- First name (2 syllables)
- Three middle names (syllables: 2, 1, 2)
Without giving away the actual names, here are the options for our daughter's name:
Option 1
- A hyphenated first name (total of 4 syllables)
- Two middle names (syllables: 1, 2)
Option 2
- First name (2 syllables)
- Three middle names (syllables: 2, 1, 2)
Replies
2.
My husband and I have come to a compromised decision. My husband didn’t love the idea of a hyphenated first name, so we dropped that idea; and, he let me choose which two middle names to use.
Thank you to everyone who shared their kind thoughts.
Thank you to everyone who shared their kind thoughts.
All my kids have two mns, making three in all, and none of them hyphenated. Three names work well to identify people with familiar fns and lns, but they do take up a lot of space on forms etc. Four names total would be even more inconvenient. Personally, I find hyphenated names inconvenient: as a teacher, I found that hyphenated kids spent a lot of time explaining, correcting, doing it again ... is it really worthwhile? Rather use Mariana than Mary-Anna, for instance. Without knowing the actual names, there isn't any more I can say.
Is this to be your only child? Because if not, you might rather save a few favorites for a possible other daughter.
If you are certain of having room for only one child in your family, I guess it makes sense to use all your favorite names, and why not.
She'll inherit everything else you've got.
So it's like
Mary-Ellen Jane Sarah
or
Mary Ellen Jane Sarah.
My opinion would depend on what the hyphenated name is. In general I think four syllables is too much and would prefer breaking the names apart.
I personally would not want to go by a four syllable double name.
If I had a friend or relative with such a name, and she offered to be called by only two syllables instead, I would be grateful and definitely call her by the shorter name. I can understand parents using a four syllable double name for their child, but expecting everyone to do it, could seem a little bit snooty or precious to me. I'm trying to think of an example of such a name that would not, and I'm struggling tbh. Mary-Ellen or Mary-Anna, maybe would be okay but something like Jessa-Marie or Lily-Emma or Nova-Ruby would not give me a positive impression.
If you are certain of having room for only one child in your family, I guess it makes sense to use all your favorite names, and why not.
She'll inherit everything else you've got.
So it's like
Mary-Ellen Jane Sarah
or
Mary Ellen Jane Sarah.
My opinion would depend on what the hyphenated name is. In general I think four syllables is too much and would prefer breaking the names apart.
I personally would not want to go by a four syllable double name.
If I had a friend or relative with such a name, and she offered to be called by only two syllables instead, I would be grateful and definitely call her by the shorter name. I can understand parents using a four syllable double name for their child, but expecting everyone to do it, could seem a little bit snooty or precious to me. I'm trying to think of an example of such a name that would not, and I'm struggling tbh. Mary-Ellen or Mary-Anna, maybe would be okay but something like Jessa-Marie or Lily-Emma or Nova-Ruby would not give me a positive impression.
This message was edited 3/13/2024, 10:39 PM
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
We already have two boys and this 3rd child is our last baby.
We already have two boys and this 3rd child is our last baby.
I don't like hyphens or more than 1 mn. Is there a way to maybe combine the names
So like...
Marie-Soleil Jeanne Pauline vs Marie Soleil Jeanne Pauline?
Julie-Janet Claire Adele vs Julie Janet Claire Adele?
My opinion would differ depending on the names.
Non-hyphenated is the more versatile option, though. You could still use a double name that way.
Marie-Soleil Jeanne Pauline vs Marie Soleil Jeanne Pauline?
Julie-Janet Claire Adele vs Julie Janet Claire Adele?
My opinion would differ depending on the names.
Non-hyphenated is the more versatile option, though. You could still use a double name that way.
This message was edited 3/13/2024, 8:56 PM
What's the point of even asking if you're not going to share the names? Are we supposed to just use psychic powers based on syllable count to form an opinion?
It's impossible to judge the combos without knowing the actual names. The flow might be off or not, but it's not just based on the number of syllables.
My advice is, one first name, one middle name. Definitely not three middle names and I would avoid a hyphenated first name. If you like a hyphenated firsd pair of names, Give them as unhyphenated first and middle names and call her by them both. Mary Ellen Lastname rather than Mary-Ellen Astrid Rachel Last name or Mary Ellen Rachel Astrid Amelia Last name.
My advice is, one first name, one middle name. Definitely not three middle names and I would avoid a hyphenated first name. If you like a hyphenated firsd pair of names, Give them as unhyphenated first and middle names and call her by them both. Mary Ellen Lastname rather than Mary-Ellen Astrid Rachel Last name or Mary Ellen Rachel Astrid Amelia Last name.
Agree 100%
I personally don't enjoy seeing hyphens in names, so I'd opt for #2.
Do you mind if I ask why so many names?
We love four names, and don't want to eliminate one. Lol
I think one of them would get eliminated no matter what. If you don't eliminate one, your baby will do it for you.
Most people, if they had 4 names (in either of those configurations) would only use 2 of them. Maybe 3 if they were short.
My real name is Emma May. If I was named Emma Lily May Caitlin or Emma-Lily May Caitlin (to match your syllable counts), I would probably never write all that on paperwork or introduce myself with 4 names. I'd use one name in everyday life (even if my first name was meant to be a hyphenated double name) and then I'd pick one or MAYBE two middle names to use. Or I would just put initials and never write them out. Even with one very short middle name, I usually just put "M" if anything.
This might be different if you live in a place where double first names are common. I've heard they're popular in the south (US). But I live in the north and it's not normal to go by a double name here. Nothing's wrong with it, but it stands out because it's not common, and it may come across as pretentious. Double name people in my region would either pick one of the names or use initials. (John-David would be John or JD, maybe David if they had another John in their family).
Most people, if they had 4 names (in either of those configurations) would only use 2 of them. Maybe 3 if they were short.
My real name is Emma May. If I was named Emma Lily May Caitlin or Emma-Lily May Caitlin (to match your syllable counts), I would probably never write all that on paperwork or introduce myself with 4 names. I'd use one name in everyday life (even if my first name was meant to be a hyphenated double name) and then I'd pick one or MAYBE two middle names to use. Or I would just put initials and never write them out. Even with one very short middle name, I usually just put "M" if anything.
This might be different if you live in a place where double first names are common. I've heard they're popular in the south (US). But I live in the north and it's not normal to go by a double name here. Nothing's wrong with it, but it stands out because it's not common, and it may come across as pretentious. Double name people in my region would either pick one of the names or use initials. (John-David would be John or JD, maybe David if they had another John in their family).
I’d personally go with Option 2, the first name would be less of a mouthful.
This message was edited 3/13/2024, 5:54 PM