Help for a surname that ends in -ey

Girl Names
1

Hello Berries,

I’m looking for thoughts/feelings about a conundrum that I’m sure at least some of you also share, and others certainly will have an opinion on.

My partner and I are not planning to have a child for at least a few more years, but when we do, we’re certain that we will choose his name as the baby’s surname. (I don’t feel at all attached to mine for various family reasons and don’t want to pass it on.) His surname is OK, but slightly problematic. It’s almost a word name, two syllables, and it ends in -ey.

Problem: I love so many female (and some male) names that also end in that same -ey sound. My top favorite names are [name]Rosie[/name] (hence I chose it for my username), [name]Maisie[/name], [name]Lettie[/name], [name]Annie[/name], [name]Winnie[/name]. I just love old fashioned, ends-in-ie names for girls.

My non-ie ending favorites are [name]Clementine[/name], [name]Aurora[/name], and [name]Paloma[/name], among others, but my absolute favorite long name is [name]Penelope[/name]. I also like [name]Calliope[/name].

My partner likes some of these more than others, but is on board for all of them.

What is the general consensus on these ends in -ey first names with a two syllable, ends in -ey surname? The surname starts with an S and sounds kind of like Sawley.

Basically, I am psychologically preparing myself to axe these names before we are actually pregnant if they really aren’t workable. I go back and forth on whether they are OK or not but ultimately can’t decide.

Final note: for most of the -ie names, we’d put something more formal on the birth certificate ([name]Rosetta[/name] or [name]Rosalind[/name] or possibly [name]Aurora[/name] for [name]Rosie[/name], [name]Scarlett[/name] or [name]Letitia[/name] for [name]Lettie[/name], [name]Annabel[/name] for [name]Annie[/name]…)

2

Just to add, a full list of the ends in -ie/-ey/y names that I love enough to use either as a full name or a fulltime nickname:

Rosie
Lettie
Maisie
Ruby
Lucy
Winnie
Annie (like these last three a little less, they are easier to give up)

I also love Polly, Posey and Lolly but have managed to sacrifice them mentally from the list as just too ridiculous in combination.

Long names that end in an -ee sound that we love:
Penelope
Calliope

Other names we like/love that don’t have the ending problem:
Paloma
Aurora
Clementine
June (partner’s fave)
Pearl
Laurel
Louisa
Annabel
Clover
Lavender

The boys name we like most is Lionel which is not a problem and seems to go with almost everything.

Anyone have any insights? Thank you!!!

3

I think if most of the names you love end in the same sound you should just embrace it! Sometimes slightly rhymey, sing-songy names sound good as long as you strike the right balance, just like alliterative names.

4

The longer names that end in the -ee sound won’t be as rhymey as the shorter names, but if you’re planning to use a short nn ([name]Penelope[/name]/[name]Penny[/name]), might as well embrace it. I don’t get the attraction–I’ve always preferred more serious (no 'ie or 'y names), but my younger sister likes ‘cute’ ([name]Katie[/name], [name]Libby[/name], [name]Annie[/name]). I wonder if it’s a birth order thing (I was expected to excel, she entertained to get attention)

5

I think it will depend on the name/nickname. I’d avoid anything ending in a -lee sound, but others might work out pretty well, especially if they’re nn’s for something longer/less rhymey. [name]Annie[/name] Sawley isn’t bad at all, but [name]Ellie[/name] Sawley would be a bit much, kwim? If the nn you pick doesn’t involve any of the dominant consonants in the surname, it should sound distinct enough to be ok.

6

I agree with pp and also think as long as there is a full name that doesn’t rhyme to give another option, there’s no concern here. [name]Rosie[/name] Sawley isn’t bad but isn’t my preference, but [name]Rosa[/name] Sawley called [name]Rosie[/name] all the time? Totally fine.

I might advise you to let [name]Calliope[/name] and [name]Penelope[/name] go…with the 4-2 rhythm it’s less sing-songy than 2-2, but [name]Penelope[/name]'s getting so hugely popular and [name]Calliope[/name] is just out there, and you have so many other options.

Looking through your lists I don’t see why you couldn’t have [name]Annabel[/name] called [name]Annie[/name], [name]Louisa[/name] called [name]Lucy[/name] maybe (especially with a C middle name? [name]Louisa[/name] [name]Calliope[/name] Sawley? [name]Lu[/name]-C= [name]Lucy[/name]?), or a [name]June[/name] called [name]Junie[/name].

Can you find any love for [name]Margaret[/name]? means [name]Pearl[/name], a name you like, and [name]Maisie[/name] is a traditional nn for it.

7

Our surname also ends with the “ee” sound; it is 3 syllables and difficult to pronounce, as well. (We thought about us both changing our surname to his mother’s maiden name and probably would have if he didn’t already have children from a previous marriage)

So anyway, I feel your pain. I avoid all name possibilities that end with the “ee” sound, which is not so easy to do especially on a girl! But I guess it also helps narrow down choices. My favorite flow tends to be a fn that ends with a consonant and a mn that ends with a.

Good luck! You’ll figure something out.