Help me give Rowan a surname?

Writers' Corner
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I’ve surprisingly been able to work on one of my stories lately, and I think I’m just about sorted to start writing, with the exception of the last name of one of my main characters!

His first name is [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]. He’s a recently-ordained pastor who has just been given his first pastorship in his hometown and he’s excited to get down to business. He’s the youngest of five; his mom is predominantly of Irish American descent, and his dad is predominantly of Polish American descent (hence the Polish surname). He’s overwhelmingly serious and stoic, very quiet, down-to-earth, but also very kind and has a big heart. He’s pretty big on observing for a while before taking any action. He’s not big on words, but he’s a great listener. He’s generous. He can get excited and passionate about things, but many don’t notice it because of how serious, stoic, and quiet he is most of the time. He’s in love with his best friend–[name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] [name_u]Emerson[/name_u] (she goes by [name_f]Adele[/name_f] on a daily basis, as she’s hates her given name–she was named after both her grandmothers, and finds her MN, [name_f]Helen[/name_f], infinitely more appealing. But her dad’s always called her [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], and so has [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], as long as he’s known her, which is probably close to a decade and a half now)–from high school, but hasn’t ever acted on it because of timidity. He’s also not sure she’s ever reciprocated his feelings. He loves working with kids and playing guitar, so the opportunity to do youth ministry and lead worship each weekend is only a perk for him.

Anyway. On to surnames. I’ve gotten it down to these 4. Which works best with [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]? And maybe even his siblings/parents, since they’ll be mentioned, as well (dad [name_m]Peter[/name_m], mom [name_f]Caroline[/name_f], and older siblings [name_u]Reagan[/name_u] (b), [name_u]Reese[/name_u] (b), [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] (b), and [name_f]Rachel[/name_f])? Although I’m more concerned about [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] at this point, since he’s the main character. :slight_smile:

[name_m]Bach[/name_m] (like the name of the composer)
Bartoszek ([name_u]BAR[/name_u]-toh-sheck)
Paczyna (or Pacyna? Said pah-CHEE-nah)
Waleska (vah-LESS-kah)

Thanks!

(Edited to remove options I’ve axed!)

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I think [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_m]Bartosz[/name_m] or [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Bartoszek flows the best, although [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Waleska works well too.

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Thanks, @-eagleeyes-! I’ve been doing a little more looking, since I like the idea of a Pa- surname for him, and came across Paczyna. Pacyna is an alternate spelling, but I think Paczyna might be more clear, since Pacyna looks like pah-SEE-nah to me?

I’ve edited the OP to remove options that I think I’ve eliminated. Are any of these TOO Polish for a reader? I’d try to explain it to make it easier–somehow figure out how to get a pronunciation in there so it’s not glaring or obnoxious–but are any of these TOO Polish? Obviously, there are Americans with names like Bartoszek and Paczyna, but sometimes I have this tendency to incorporate aspects from all the cultures I want to experience one day, and I wonder if it’s just too much for the average reader. Benedikt Breslau (from the story in my signature) is one thing–is Rowan Paczyna altogether too much?!