[name_m]Just[/name_m] out of curiosity - Would you name your child a name that’s origin did not coincide with your surname origin? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think it’s strange if people do, or that it sounds “off”? Would you still use the name anyway?
Example: I am [name_m]German[/name_m] and my husband is [name_m]French[/name_m], and our last name is incredibly [name_m]French[/name_m]. Starts with “de” and sounds like “de Valet”. Would it be weird naming our child something like say… [name_m]Henrik[/name_m] de Valet? We both really like Germanic names (YAY!) but now that I say some of them with the last name… I am seriously second guessing. Am I over-thinking?
I think you are over thinking just a bit!
I understand your concern as you don’t necessarily want a first name and surname that clash so badly it’s jarring to see/hear.
But I really don’t think you have much to worry about pairing [name_m]French[/name_m] and [name_m]German[/name_m] names together, [name_m]Henrik[/name_m] de Valet sounds charming to me.
If anything a bit of cultural diversity in a name keeps things interesting and at the same time represents the little guy or gals heritage, I think it’s cool.
I think it’s fine. In your case your son will just sound European. So many families are “mixed” now anyway, and I think it’s nice when kids’ names reflect their heritage.
I don’t think it’s an issue when the name represents your child’s heritage. Also some names sound very connected to only one ethnic background where others have many versions, e.g. [name_m]Maxim[/name_m] (Russian), [name_m]Maksym[/name_m] (Polish?), [name_u]Maxime[/name_u] ([name_m]French[/name_m]), all with the nn [name_u]Max[/name_u]. If the name chosen has a strong association with another heritage I think it sounds a little off, like [name_m]Pierre[/name_m] M@guire.
There are probably loads of people with [name_m]German[/name_m]/[name_m]French[/name_m] combos in Switzerland. Your kid will be fine! (though I’m seriously crushing on [name_m]Etienne[/name_m], [name_m]Bertrand[/name_m], and [name_m]Olivier[/name_m] lately)
I feel much better, haha!