anything you would watch out for when naming a child with the last name Gross ([name]Long[/name] O) as far as teasing, etc.? All I have thought of so far is to avoid certain word names and one syllable names. [name]Just[/name] curious if any of you have thoughts on things to avoid to prevent teasing and for a nice name flow. thanks!
In all seriousness-- are you sure you want to pass this name on? I assume your husband/partner has the name, not you. [name]How[/name] does he feel about it? I think itās a sterling example of how a perfectly normal, blameless name in its original context takes on a very problematic modern meaning.
If its non-negotiable (I.e. no Gruss, [name]Grove[/name], hyphenation, creation of a new name from the two of your surnames, etc) then I would say a) teasing at some point is inevitable, but itās survivable and b) select a cool name which isnāt cartoonish of over the top. [name]Donovan[/name], for example, is a pretty cool-guy name, and it can help lighten and distract attention from Gross. Bolt or [name]Maximus[/name] or Bellissima or something would heighten it. I would also pick something 3+ syllables again to lighten and attract more emphasis away from Gross.
hahaā¦ in all seriousness, it is non-negotiable 
We are pretty traditional. I took my husbandās last name, dropped my maiden name, and this will be our future childrenās last name. I realize some teasing is inevitable with the modern meaning. I agree with your suggestion of something not too over the top. We are attracted to classics or classics with a twist, vintage/meaningful family names. I think [name]Leland[/name] ā[name]Lee[/name]ā is a likely contender for a boy name and girl names I am all over the place and constantly changing my mind- but I like [name]Elizabeth[/name] ā[name]Lizzie[/name]ā lately. My great aunt just passed today, her name is [name]Ruby[/name] [name]Lucille[/name], which I find lovely. thanks for you suggestions!
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[name]Elizabeth[/name] is a fine idea. I think [name]Ruby[/name] would be tough as itās too short, and itās a color/object and makes Gross stand out in a bad way. [name]Lucia[/name], maybe? (need those three syllables).
Thats a pity then that it is non-negotiable, but then again the meaning of the surname is ātall, big.ā So your children can always say ālook up the meaning! I think you are getting it wrong.ā
I agree with blade, something longer than three syllables that isnāt comical would work.
Perhaps something like these?:
[name]Lucinda[/name]/[name]Lucilla[/name]
[name]Emilia[/name]
[name]Aurelia[/name]
[name]Lydia[/name]
[name]Thalia[/name]
[name]Helena[/name]
[name]Nathaniel[/name]
[name]Alexander[/name]
[name]Frederick[/name]
[name]Evander[/name]
I grew up knowing a family with the surname Gross. Iāll be honest, I never thought twice about their last name, perhaps because I knew them from birth and was just accustomed to the sound. I never saw them being teased for their surname; my little church-school really had no bullies, though when they moved on to public school perhaps they took some flack. As [name]Blade[/name] said, āgrossā teasing would be survivable. The son had a classic name ([name]Michael[/name]). Daughters were [name]Stephanie[/name] and [name]Brandy[/name]. I thought their names were just fine.
Iām with Alzora-- Iāve taught a family of three siblings with the last name, and I really donāt think anything of it. I donāt think they care; we also have kids named Butts, so it could be worse, right? The girls have three-syllable names, which flows very well; the boy has a single syllable, which is a bit abrupt.
thank you for your input, everyone!! I do not think much of it either, but just wanting to avoid any names that could be obviously teasedā¦ example: [name]Isabella[/name], Is, [name]Izzy[/name] is Gross?? I think I would prefer to do with at least a 2 syllable name also. sunshine kid- thanks for the āTall, bigā meaning!!
I know someone with that last name too and as far as I know sheās never encountered problems with it. OH has a one-syllable surname with teasing potential too, so I know your fear in wanting to have a first name that detracts from it. I think something with length would be a good place to start. [name]Elizabeth[/name] ā[name]Lizzie[/name]ā Gross actually works really well.
Iād avoid anything which can shorten to something inappropriate - [name]Dick[/name] Gross or [name]Willy[/name] Gross can be flipped to Gross [name]Dick[/name]/Gross [name]Willy[/name] - basically meaning disgusting male genetalia, which a boy might struggle with - so Iād rule out [name]William[/name] and [name]Richard[/name] immediately.
I never use the word Gross, so the name doesnāt sound that bad to meā¦trust me Iāve heard much worse, for example Klitou (Klit-oo) and Cokayne. But I guess itās where you live is the problem. I know gross is commonly said in the USA/[name]CANADA[/name] so itās hard to understand how people will react where you are from. But just look at it this way- if people around you are used to your name, they will eventually forget the bad association and to them it will just be another surname (I donāt get shocked anymore when I hear the two previous surnames I mentioned). At the end of the day thereās nothing much you can do about it. [name]Just[/name] choose names you like, but I would suggest a name with at least 2 syllables so you focus more on the first name than the second.
I hope this helped a little!
I know a lot of people named Gross or some combo with Gross- something.
Honestly, I would not have taken it as a married name but I donāt think itās even the worst surname of people that I know. (Which is probably Lipschitzā¦ or maybe Fuchsā¦ ch said as kā¦)
[name]Lucilla[/name] or [name]Lucinda[/name] is nice and the length distracts. [name]Elizabeth[/name] is very pretty and unassailably classic. I would probably use a longer R name than [name]Ruby[/name] if given the option - [name]Rowena[/name] or [name]Rosemary[/name] or something.
I was going to suggest you could just relocate to a [name]German[/name] speaking country. Gross = Big in [name]German[/name]. Considerably better association I think. Joking asideā¦
I agree with ppās. I"d avoid names that have a higher teasing potential on their own. [name]Ismene[/name] (Is meanie) for example. Alsoā¦
I would also avoid [name]Virginia[/name] as itās just too close to Virgin and Gross Virgin would be unfortunate.
Iād put a little more care into a first name thatās not easily tease-able or forming a sentence with āgrossā, but I donāt think you need to be too worried. Echoing what some pp have said, a classic 2+ syllable first name seems like the best fit. [name]Katherine[/name] Gross for example sounds just fine to me.
My motherās maiden name is Gross and I donāt think any of our relatives have hesitated in naming their children. Most recent baby girls named were [name]Anna[/name] and [name]Claire[/name].
We have a big Gross reunion coming up this summer and we love it!
Thatās disgusting to say someone should change their last name and that itās a āpityā they donāt want to. Last names can be very sentimental. I inherited a ālesser desirableā last name but that doesnāt mean I should just change it. Shame on you.
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