Hey berries !!!
Here’s my story for anyone who’d like some context!
Summary
Up until my teen years, I always planned on keeping my maiden name upon marriage. Unfortunately, things happen and the more I learn about my family history, the less I like my last name. My grandfather, whom I get the name from, was an abusive alcohol who had a secret second family. It’s very much tainted my feelings about my last name. I don’t particularly get along with either of my parents, so I’m not looking to scavenge the family trees for new ideas. It’s a bit silly, but I almost want to start fresh as a way to symbolically end the generational trauma. So I’d like to brainstorm some ideas for a new last name.
I live in the Northeast US with German, Irish, and English heritage. I was raised Catholic, though I’m not really religious. I like a lot of two syllable surnames with distinct consonant sounds; ie, Hawkins, Dresden, Morgan, Hartnett, Lillis, Barton, Garland, etc.
It doesn’t follow my rule, but I also quite like Fey!
My name is Katherine, though I usually go by Kate/Katie.
Like a lot of you, I do enjoy names with a certain nature-y feeling. Although I don’t have any surname examples, some of the baby names that have made it to my shortlist include Marigold, Robin, Lillian, Dahlia, and Pearl.
Other first names on my shortlist include Louisa, Clara/Claire, Beatrice, Marie, Valerie, Josephine, Theodore, Benjamin, Luke, Rosemary, Frances, Diana, and Emmeline.
I don’t know if that’s the right information to be helpful, so please let me know if there’s anything else I should include! Thanks so much 
