I asked this question a couple years ago and I’m curious if people’s general feeling has changed with the times:
What do you think of Watson for a girl? Its a family of ours and used as a middle by some women in my family but never a first. Is it too masculine? Other surname names are popular for girls, so if you don’t think this one works, why? What’s the difference?
I think of Emma Watson when I hear Watson! I think this is a very charming name for a little girl, especially given the all kinds of wonderful Miss Emma Watson is!! Just a fabulous association. I’m so glad you’ve introduced me to this name idea… I just love it!
I do think of [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_m]Watson[/name_m] too, but personally, I still prefer not to use [name_m]Watson[/name_m] as a first name. It’s just a matter of personal taste though. If you and your partner like it, I guess go for it anyway. Though maybe give her a feminine middle name to balance it more.
you pretty much said it! [name_m]Watson[/name_m] isn’t any different to other surname names, because, well, they’re all surnames. perhaps associations with the name are typically masculine (e.g. Dr. [name_m]Watson[/name_m] from [name_m]Sherlock[/name_m] Holmes) but like previous posters mentioned, there are feminine associations with it too. i personally like [name_m]Watson[/name_m] and think it would work wonderfully on a girl; maybe you could use a more feminine nickname/middle name with it, just as a safety net
If [name_u]Mason[/name_u], [name_u]Hollis[/name_u] and [name_u]Everett[/name_u] can work, I don’t see why [name_m]Watson[/name_m] can’t, especially since it’s a family name.
Hm. I do think that it could work, but it’s definitely masculine to me.
I think the reason why is a combination of things.
Unlike other surname names like Delaney, Allison, Blair etc, Watson has a harsher, more typically masculine sound, reminding me of names like Walter, Hudson, etc.
It also doesn’t have any more feminine nicknames, which for me personally(!) is a must when it comes to girls’ names that the majority of people would find masculine-leaning.
That’s why I find it too masculine for a girl, in my opinion. I think that the right girl could for sure pull it off, but it’s not guaranteed that a baby will grow up to be that right girl.
I typically don’t like surnames on girls, especially if they end in -son. That said, I think Watson could work, even though I don’t like it. You could always call her Sunny, which is sweet.
Sunny as a nickname is super cute. I was also thinking Watty could work.
Thanks all for your thoughts. I know its a bold choice but I think it could be pulled off. This isn’t for any upcoming baby (I’m having a boy) but just hypothetical musings.
I think it’s cute and boy names for girls are pretty popular. [name_u]Blake[/name_u] [name_f]Lively[/name_f] named her daughter, [name_u]James[/name_u]. I also went to school with a [name_u]Charley[/name_u] and I had a friend who had her mom’s maiden name as her middle name, [name_m]Ransom[/name_m].
I’m so glad you love it! I think with the way names are heading, in a few years a little girl names [name_m]Watson[/name_m] won’t be considered so out there. I’m not actually planning on another baby after this one (boy). So I would be thrilled to see someone actually use this
Any thoughts on middle names? I agree with @luneth suggestion that a feminine middle name is needed.
I was thinking:
[name_m]Watson[/name_m] [name_f]Emmeline[/name_f] (maybe too much [name_f]Emma[/name_f] [name_m]Watson[/name_m] )
[name_m]Watson[/name_m] [name_f]Amara[/name_f]
[name_m]Watson[/name_m] [name_f]Penelope[/name_f]
[name_m]Watson[/name_m] [name_f]Clementine[/name_f]
[name_m]Watson[/name_m] [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f]
[name_m]Watson[/name_m] [name_f]Adeline[/name_f]
[name_m]Watson[/name_m] [name_f]Elara[/name_f]
Ohhh, Watson Penelope !!! So freaking cute. I’m utterly obsessed
Watson Emmeline is pretty Emma Watson … but I love her, so I say it works, haha! Clementine is also just perfect!
I’m also a huge fan of nn Sunny for Watson! Even as just a little pet name. Adds a touch of femininity, but mostly is just so adorable.
My ideas for femme middles would include…
Jane
Phoebe
Clara
Elizabeth
Rose
May
Winona (lots of alliteration, but charming!!)
Belle (maybe also too Emma Watson? )
Charlotte
Grace
Elise
Eloise
Josephine
Anna
Margaret
Flora
Katherine
Matilda
Louisa
Imogen
Honestly I don’t see [name_m]Watson[/name_m] as a surname but as an actual first name. I think because [name_m]Watson[/name_m] was the name of a dad in a series I used to read as a kid. But because of that all Insee is masculine.
[name_m]Watson[/name_m] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] sounds so classic and beautiful. I also really really like [name_m]Watson[/name_m] [name_f]Imogen[/name_f]
I do like some more masculine names for girls but I think [name_m]Watson[/name_m] is a little too masculine for a daughter. I think the sounds are a little too harsh and the “son” in the name does make it feel more masculine to me (although [name_u]Madison[/name_u] works well for girls).
Yes, I’m really liking both Watson Rose and Watson Imogen! So classic, so warm…
My phone just autocorrected Imogen to Imogene, which also sounds delightful with Watson.
I personally think it is quite masculine. The “son” aspect of the name is one reason why, and then when I think of the “Wat” part I just think of the NFL players TJ and JJ [name_m]Watt[/name_m] who are obviously very masculine.
I am not saying that this doesn’t work for a girl in any scenario, but it sounds very masculine to me.