Hello everyone,
What are your thoughts on alliteration when it comes to names? My husband and I are strongly considering a B name for our baby boy, and our last name starts with B as well. We never intended to have an alliterative name and don’t particularly mind this, but I am a bit concerned that it might come across as trying to sound cutesy or matchy, which we definitely do NOT want. Your thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks!
I think it depends more on the exact sounds of both names. (I have a B last name, too!) Alliterations can definitley work in some cases. I think you may need to specifically give us examples in order to help you. For the most part, I think that as long as there isn’t more than one sound the same you’ll be okay.
Here’s some examples:
My last name sounds pretty close to “[name]Birch[/name]”
I wouldn’t use:
[name]Barnaby[/name] [name]Birch[/name] (too much B and R)
[name]Benjamin[/name] [name]Birch[/name] (though because too close to [name]Benjamin[/name] Button)
[name]Bridget[/name] [name]Birch[/name]
I would use:
[name]Beauregard[/name] [name]Birch[/name]
[name]Beckett[/name] [name]Birch[/name]
[name]Bellamy[/name] [name]Birch[/name]
I agree with everything [name]Rica[/name] said, and I have a B last name too!
I also agree with what has already been said. I think as long as the names are not too “matchy matchy” it actually sounds quite nice. My last name starts with “Lan” and we were considering the name [name]Logan[/name] for our son and we got all positives responses from people. I think a name that wouldn’t work for us would be along the lines of [name]Landon[/name]. The double “Lan” beginnings would be too similar. So as long as the names are different enough from each other, having them start with the same letter can be quite complimentary. And no, I don’t think its cutesy or anything either (again, only if the names were very similar.)
[name]Davis[/name] [name]David[/name] would be a definite no…however [name]Donovan[/name] [name]David[/name] would work.
I don’t have a B last name, so I hope I didn’t break the spell or anything.
As for alliterative names - I totally like them, but ever so uncommonly. I think it is not “too cute” and often makes for a memorable name. I feel a bit cheered when I meet someone with the same first and last initials, it sounds happy (in most cases) and confident, to the extent that I’m glad it’s not a common choice, which makes it a little special in fact, and not at all “precious” or corny.
My friend with an easy-to-say 2-syllable H last name likes the name [name]Henry[/name] for the nickname [name]Hank[/name], which he does make the point that it’s somewhat common practice for superheroes’ secret identity names to be alliterative, so you may want to consider how well the name fits that template as well. He’s in favor of it, so I don’t think of it like it’s a bad thing, except I don’t like the nickname [name]Hank[/name] (I’m fine with [name]Henry[/name]).
I really love alliteration names like january jones! To me it sounds good to have the first name and middle name start with the same letter as well such as [name]Azalea[/name] amathyst. A front runner for girls names, before we found out it was a boy, was [name]Clementine[/name] Coffin. Must admit that I prefer alliteration names for girls, but if done right can totally work for a boy too.
I second (or third?) the wise [name]Rica[/name]. 
I really love alliteration (I adore [name]Lydia[/name] [name]Louise[/name], for example), but it all depends on the specific names being used.
Good luck!
Me? Wise? Thank you! 
Thank you all so much, this was really helpful! In fact, our last name and this first name don’t have striking similarities beyond the first letter (no [name]Benjamin[/name] [name]Benson[/name] or anything like that) so I guess that lessens the impact of the alliteration. I feel reassured because this is the ONLY name that we both really, really like after months of negotiations, and it just “feels” like the one to us (at least for now!)
alliteration really works for some names… two of my all time favorite names are
[name]Erin[/name] [name]Elyse[/name] and [name]Emily[/name] [name]Elaine[/name]
as long as the names aren’t too matchy it’s ok…
for example:: [name]Erin[/name] [name]Erica[/name] would never work…
I love the idea but I’d be afraid I wouldn’t match names that sounded great together. Of course you know I’d fly every combo by your great minds first. My last name ends in a C and I’ve thought a girls name that started with a C would make a cute nn of C.C./Cici.
Disa-lan,
It does seem interesting that in a way girls’ names seem a bit more flexible with alliteration. I think that two C names together could be really lovely. I recently heard the combination of [name]Claire[/name] [name]Caroline[/name] (I think a name blogger’s daughter has that name) and thought it sounded wonderful.
I think C’s are one of the most versatile letters in the alphabet. The “C” in our last name sounds like and “S”. Then you have “C” as in [name]Catherine[/name] and “Ch” names like [name]Charlotte[/name]. So technically I could use a “C” for the first, middle, and last names with out any of them sounding the same. I should play around with this idea.
My initials are CCC (I still go by my maiden name), and I’ve always loved the simplicity of that. Some of my childhood friends still call me CCC or even C-cubed. So I’m all in favor of name alliteration
Right on!!! I love it CCC! I’ll have to go see if I can work something out. None of my top favorite names start with a “C”. Hmmm, time to hit the books 
There is nothing wrong with using a b name when you’re last name begins with b. Ricamaca’s advice is good.
I really agree with [name]Rica[/name]. My last name starts with an A, and i love two A girl names. they don’t bother me at all because they don’t sound anything like my last name.
I think they’re fine as long as they aren’t too similar.