Remember the last name!?

Question

When we are thinking of names for our babies, we concentrate on first and last names, and while it is important for them to sound good together, it is really more important that the first and last name sound good together. The teacher, doctor, DMV office, etc., is not going to call out "Julia Kathryn ", she is going to call out "Julia Smith" or whatever, and "Julia Smith" is what she will have to write and sign. When thinking of a baby name, remember to also practice saying first and last names together to make sure it sounds good. Andy Anderson? Tommy Thompson? That's just cruel, people.

OK, so it wasn't really a question, I was just looking in the Baby Name category and was inspired. Perhaps my question is, Does anyone have any examples of a naming gone wrong because the parents did not consider how the first and last names would sound?

Answer 1

I agree with you. I can think of a couple of famous names that, even now as a grown woman, make me smile when I say them out loud. How about Dick Butkus, or Muddy Waters. I found this really funny website with a list of funny name (http://www.ethanwiner.com/funnames.html).

Also, to add to your affirmation. When naming your baby, you should also look at initials. For example, if your last name is Smith, you don't want to name your baby something like Anabella Sue. Initials, A.S.S. Thanks.

Answer 2

In Wales in particular, there's a tradition of naming that ends up with results like John Johnson or Tommy Thompson - the last name is a patronymic from way back, and the first name is in honor of that ancestor or another with the same name.

Tommy Thompson is actually his given name, but a lot of 'Tommy' Thompsons or 'Mitch' Mitchells have their nickname derived from their last name. Both Mitch Mitchell and Ozzy Osbourne have the given name of John.

There was a radio naming tradition where the DJ would take his first name and take the form [nickname] St. [given name], like Jimmy St. James or Jack St. John.

But you're right, there are quite a few permutations of the name that should be considered:

Full name, especially when you yell it at your misbehaving child.
First and last only.
Nickname.
Nickname and last name.
Initials.

Answer 3

I think Andy Anderson is cute. That said, Andy Dick's parents were just cruel. I had a lot of schools that only included the first initial on everything but the actual enrollment information. I mean, poor boy, the first day of school and people are already calling him "A. Dick."

Answer 4

I recall when naming my kids that a good guideline to use was that the first and last name should have different syllables...like Jane Johnson rather than Janet Johnson or as in Janet Jones. A single syllable in each name sounds plain. Two syllables in each sound rhyme-like. It seems more balanced when the syllables are different. Also to consider is what you child will have to learn to write in kindergarten...I feel sorry for Alexander Montgomery-McDonald...poor kid will never get out in time for recess! One more thing: when you hold your new baby in your arms for the very first time: does he really look like a Henry or Spencer? Or does he look more like an Andrew? Keep your list handy! Best wishes!

Answer 5

I think you're right in terms of school-age children, but I always thought that guys like Tommy Thompson had a memorable name, and because of that, may actually be helped in their professional life. It's easier to remember someone if they have an unusual name. It's easier for someone with such a name to become a Maven - everyone knows Tommy Thompson and everyone likes saying his name. It's easier to become a rock star of your profession. Cruel at an early age, maybe. But helpful later in life.

I remember one that a local DJ was talking about - Nancy Anne Cianci. Never forgot it.

Answer 6

I know a guy who Loved the name SKyler and they wanted to name their daughter Skyler, but his sick mother really always loved the name Ashley and miscarried with a girl she was going to name Ashley and never got the chance. So, for his mom, they desided at last minute to name her Ashley Skyler.... They never thought that their last name started with an S and the initials *** probably aren't a good thing!!!
Now she's stuck with it!

Answer 7

My cousin`s kid is Andrew Richard Silva.. That doesn`t match at all.. Portuguese last name with 2 american names.. whatever.. My daugther is american but i found a perfect name that is known here and in Brazil as well.. Melina.. matches her last name.. i wouldn`t put like Kimberly Silva or something like that...

Answer 8

A very good friend of mine named her kid Blade Allen R. giving him the initials that spells BAR.

My great grandmothers name was Ima Hoar!!!! Imagine having a name like that now.

Answer 9

Sounds like those Garbage Pail Kids from way back when...heheheh

Answer 10

I guy that I work with was named Richard Bare. In school they called him Dick for short and when roll was called they would call out Bare, Dick. He goes by Rick now.