offshoot- why do you not like double names

[lizajane]

i know the folks who voted "hate 'em" don't want to hurt my feelings (thanks!!) but i am actually curious to know why folks don't like them. (again, this is for a girl who would be called lilly cate from lillian catherine). i think i have been a little more on the don't like them side because many of the double name little girls i know or have encountered have come from wealthy families who make me a little uncomfortable. so the names seem a little pretentious, maybe? but then my friend said she wanted to name her daughter, due this fall, ellie kate, and i just LOVED it. and i have a one syllable last name, so a three syllable first name for my child wouldn't be out of control.

but i wonder- is it the pretentious sound? is it the confusion factor? is it the specific names you have heard? i am really trying to decide which way i want to go and i want some (gentle!) feedback.

thanks. ETA: if you are worried you would hurt someone's feelings, just send me a quick email! edited again because i am moron who can't type.

[sbjf]

Just wanted to say that before I had John Patrick I had baby sat for a boy named John Cain, no hyphen but went by both names, and yes, he came from a wealthy family, but not pretentious! They were the most down to earth, sports minded, rough and tumble family and I didn't think twice about his double name. It was just the way it was.

When I thought about calling my son by two names I realized that it's still only 3 syllables! John Pat rick, his cousin is Ma ris sa, so what's the big deal, right??!!

I think Lilly Cate is precious, so sweet. I would go with it in a minute. I also happen to love the nickname 'Lil' , that is just so sweet to me.

[AvasMama]

I don't love them in general (not sure why, maybe b/c of the Southern association?) but I just wanted to say that I think Lilly Cate is absolutely adorable!

I think it's the Mary X ones I don't like as much.

Robyn & Ava

[COElizabeth]

I didn't vote in the poll, and I don't hate the double names or think they are pretentious (there are a lot of them in my family, including two Billie Sues, which someone thought was "icky" (!). However, I personally would not use one because the confusion about whether the second name is a middle name or part of the first name (on forms, etc.) would just bug me. My SIL, for example, is Anne Marie, which I think is pretty, but some of her email accounts, etc. have shown Anne. If that kind of thing doesn't bother you, I wouldn't worry about it!

Elizabeth, Mom to James, 9-20-02
EDD #2, 10-30-04

[Jacksonvol]

I was really interested to read that there are some folks who associate a double name with pretention. As a born and raised Southerner who is in touch with her inner hillbilly, I am having to convince my New England Yankee DH that calling our DD "Emily Grace" does not mean she will end up on the front porch in overalls with a shotgun. He automatically thinks "redneck" when he hears a double name.

Oh well, he still asks for a "soda" instead of a "coke" and has no clue about cold drinks and eater snacks, even after being south of the Mason-Dixon line for almost 15 years.

The only possible drawback I see for DD is having to learn to write a longer name in pre-school/kindergarten. However, since she is currently hanging around with a pack of "Brooklyn"s and "MacKenzie"s, she will not be alone.

[adamsmom]

I am trying to think reasons to dislike double names just so I can ask what a "eater snack" is?

I live in the northeast and I rarely hear a double name. BUT there is a Katie Beth in my daughters Kindermusik class. But that is not her real name, her name is Katheryn (first name) Elizabeth (middle name). I just love Katie Beth, I think it is cute. As Katie Beth gets older she can go by Katie or Katheryn or whatever. I like that she has options if she decides Katie Beth is to cute.

ETA: I LOVE the name Ellie Kate.

[miki]

I don't hate the double name. I'm just not thrilled by them. I think they sound fussy and stuffy more than pretentious.

[Jacksonvol]

An "eater snack" is anything like a small package of peanut butter crackers or peanuts. (i.e., the tiny pack of peanuts you get on the plane). Around here, you offer someone a coke (they then ask you what kind of coke you have and you respond by saying "I have Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, etc.) and an eater snack.

I did want to mention I love the name Lilli Cate. I also love Katy Beth. I wanted to name DD Katheryn Elisbeth (family names) and call her Katy Beth. DH said no. Bummer.

[stillplayswithbarbies]

"Katie Beth" is a really cute name.

I call Logan "Logan Beth" sometimes, as my special nickname for her.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[kijip]

I think names are mostly liked by association. This means we all like different things since it is so subjective... For double names I think Earl _____ and the like. My mother's father had this name and since he was a terrible person (to say the very least), I tend to not like double names. Especially for men. Irrational but it makes me think of this man every time even if the name is nice sounding like John Patrick. In the same line I used to love the name Aubrie and now that I have had a falling out with a selfish person named Aubrie I think selfish whenever I think Aubrie...but I am sure that there are lovely Aubries and Earl Johns out there....and for that matter evil Katies and Tobys...

[mattiew]

Well...since you asked.....I don't like double names because they sound "country" or unsophisticated to me. I'm from the South so double names aren't that uncommon. When naming DD I tried to pick a name that I thought would work well through out her life. In my mind "Betty Sue" just doesn't sound like a name for a CEO or whatever else she would like to be...just my two cents.

That said, some of the names I have hated fit the child perfectly once they were born, so go with what you love!

HTH!
Carrie

[Sarah1]

I love Lilly Cate. No, it's not everyone's cup of tea...as some said it can sound stuffy or too Southern/hillbilly-ish...but, you can't please everyone. Remember that! :)

When she's older, she could go by Lillian--or Cate--professionally. Both are very dignified names, IMO. It's not like you're giving her a powder-puff name like "Tiffany" that she'd have to put on her resume. Yikes.

FYI, one of the little girls in my playgroup is a Cate (from Catherine). Her name is ALWAYS misspelled. So, just be prepared for that, too!