Surnames as First Names!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2004
Surnames as First Names!
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Sun, 09-04-2005 - 12:11am

I'm from the South, and here, it's not uncommon at all for parents to give their children--male and female--first names that are actually family surnames. I know girls named Tenley, Laughlin, Allyn, and Sullivan, and boys named Jones, Hughston, and Fitzpatrick (nn Fitz) after their mothers' maiden names, and I love all those names.

I guess it's probably not entirely uncommon in any region. At any rate, here's my question: what do you ladies think about it? I love the tradition, and I've thought seriously about naming a little girl Whittington (after my grandfather's mother's maiden name). I'm nowhere near actually having a baby, but I still want to pass family names down to my children, AND I actually LOVE the name. But anyway, I shared this thought with a friend the other day, and she was horrified. I didn't pursue the subject, but now I'm wondering whether her shock was due entirely to the name itself, or to her loathing of surnames as first names.

Any guidance is welcome--about the name or about the tradition.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 8:18am
I think that it is a great way to honor the heritage of your family, however IMO, it only works with some names. We have friends who named their daughter Kennedy. It doesn't have an family significance for them, but to me, that's an example of a surname that works as a first name. To me, Whittington sounds like it would be a boy's name, would you consider using it as a middle name for a daughter?
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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-02-2005
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 8:56am

I don't know if it's Southern or not -- never thought about it being a regional thing! I live in the midwest, and it seems that every kid in this area is named Haley or Jacob! :)

I love the thought of using a surname as the first name, if it sounds nice. Unfortunately, my family's surnames are all pretty strange for first names! That said, I think Whittington is an exceptionally neat name!! I think it's a beautiful name for either a boy or a girl. What would you call him/her for short? Or would it always be Whittington?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2004
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 12:52pm
choosing the right name is tricky. many factors must be considered such as how will it sound on a baby? a child? a teenager? a grown up etc? how does it mesh with last names and sibling names? do you like it as a reflection of you and your tastes or do you truly believe it will suit your child? sometimes an unusual name (such as Apple or Banjo) or a name that is not really a name (such a surname) can come off as pretentious or strange and may cause some people throughout your child's life to be put off or to react negatively to the name without properly considering your child as a person. in other words, some will unfortunately judge a book by its cover so to speak.
in any case when it's time to name your little one, i'm sure you'll choose wisely and it will all fit! good luck:)
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 7:28pm

My cousin was given a surname as first name, Callan. While it isnt a bad name, everyone in my family always thought it was very strange that she had 3 last names for a name. i think that while some names may be great, unique and a welcome change from too popular and overused names, that it should be thought over very carefully.

Lizzie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 9:12pm

I'm from the South as well, and I know and love this tradition.
Nonetheless, I think Whittington is far better on a little boy/man than a girl/woman. He could shorten it to "Whit" if he was the type that prefered a "lesser" name, because, let's face it, "Whittington" is a big name with "surname" written all over it. It comes with some weight attached.
That's what makes it a great choice for a son.
I love surnames on girls as well, but IMHO they have to sound feminine in order to work well. I know a Lowrey, a Hedren, and even a Bellery. All very feminine, I think.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.

Good luck!
Amy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2004
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 9:27pm
Thanks for your positive input, mrs.ohmygosh. I really appreciate it. To answer your questions, I've considered using Whittington as a first name, or as a middle name with Mae, Ruth, or Tess. If that's the case, I'd probably call her Ruth Whittington, Mae Whittington, etc. (following another Southern tradition of double names). I imagine that occasionally, I'd shorten it to Mae Whitt, Ruth Whitt or Tess Whitt. At any rate, I think that such a long name needs a short name in front, and like many of you noted, Whittington isn't very feminine, so I would want something almost frilly in front of it. Both Ruth and Mae are family names, too, and Tess is just a name I've always loved.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-1999
Sun, 09-04-2005 - 11:01pm

I added an A to my maiden name and gave it to my 4th dd for her first Middle name it goes really well. her name is Emily Keitha Colleen she's 6 1/2 and she has a unique name I have not run into any other Keitha's... and she get's called Emily Keitha sometimes.

my #2 dd's 1st middle name is out of my dad's first name his name was Sylvester and I broke it down and took Tyler out it and named her Brittany Tyler Dianne

my other dd's are Jessica Gayle Anne she's my oldest and then dd #3 is Sarah Elizabeth Irene

I say go for it what matters is that you like/love the name..

Good luck.

Rita Mom 2 Jessi, Britt, Sarah and Emmi

Rita

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-05-2005
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 4:13pm
I too named my son after my great grandmothers surname. She was from Kentucky and since my first child was a boy it was perfect! Also because her first name is Mabel which wasnt a family favorite even though I thought it was cute. My husband was a no go for that if the baby turned out to be a girl. I have maternal relatives from KY and my cousin's name is her paternal grandmothers maiden name which is Chamblee. So overall I think its pretty cool. I say when the time comes go for it and remember who cares what others think really? Its your kid and you can have a cool story to tell when someone says oh thats a different name. You say yes it is its a family name an original. I do it all the time. Jen
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2005
Mon, 09-05-2005 - 4:55pm

Hi.
FYI. I love the surname idea so long as it doesn't compete too much with the rest of the name. Sounds like that's what your people do there. I have seen a few here also in PA.
Hope this helps when you're ready.

Sandy

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-09-2004
Tue, 09-06-2005 - 4:22pm
Personally, I don't care for surnames as first names. Unless there really is a family history to the name, and therefore a reason for naming the child that. But I wouldn't name my daughter Riley, Ramsey or Bailey because, well, those names don't exist in my family lineage anywhere. I really think there should be reasons for choosing a name. Not just liking the way it sounds, or thinking it sounds like a cool name.

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