So I’m due [name_f]September[/name_f] 30th with my first and I’ve yet to find a name for my little girl. For years I’ve had a list of names I’ve loved or thought to use for my children and now that it’s time, I don’t like any of them.
My S.O. and I have recently come to like the name [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] for our girl and it has stuck in our minds the longest, so we feel that this name is a strong competitor. We’re slightly unsure of it however due to the traditional masculinity of it, although I am aware of the more popular usage of it for girls. Many people have suggested using [name_f]Charlotte[/name_f], [name_f]Charlene[/name_f], ect. to avoid this, but I honestly just don’t like any of the feminine variations of it. I’d rather just stick to [name_u]Charlie[/name_u].
However, recently my S.O. mentioned hyphenating it with a middle name we thought fit well with it which was [name_f]Ann[/name_f] (mine/my grandmother’s middle name). So her first name would be [name_u]Charlie[/name_u]-[name_f]Ann[/name_f]. I know a girl ([name_u]Taylor[/name_u]-[name_f]Jade[/name_f]) which is hyphened as her first name and I don’t think she’s ever had any problems with it. I also don’t know if I would choose a middle name to go after it.
I’d love to hear some honest opinions on the name, alone or hyphened. Also anyone who has a child or knows someone with a hyphenated first name.
I think [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] alone would work perfectly fine, but i really do [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_u]Charlie[/name_u]-[name_f]Ann[/name_f]! It sounds gorgeous!
Both [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] & [name_u]Charlie[/name_u]-[name_f]Ann[/name_f] are great! I know a [name_f]Charlize[/name_f] “[name_u]Charlie[/name_u]”, but I guess you’ve already considered that?
I agree with the suggestion of [name_f]Charlize[/name_f]. I was going to mention that as well. I’m always iffy about hyphenating, but actually I really like [name_u]Charlie[/name_u]-[name_f]Ann[/name_f]. If you truly want that to be her first name, I would definitely still give her a mn.
I have a hyphenated first name and because of the “issues” I’ve had with it I would never use a hyphen for my own child.
Seemingly small things get annoying after many years. [name_m]Roll[/name_m] call for one was/is embarassing for me with my double-barrel name as my “middle/hyphen” is quite formal and having it called out and then explaining that I just go by the first draws unwanted attention for my shy self.
[name_m]Even[/name_m] hotel check-in is annoying as people somehow “can’t find” my booking unless I use both names. (Side note: I have never been called by both names, except on birthday cards from my grandma as a child).
Any paperwork I try to do with a hyphen free first name causes issues also, as my name won’t “fit the system”.
I tried to drop the middle/hyphen when I changed my surname when I married but apparently that needs to be a whole separate thing…
Sorry, maybe this sounds silly but for me the hyphen causes unnecessary issues, particularly since it has never even felt like it was really part of my first name.
I’d advise you to give her a middle name that you can call her/use along with her first if you like, but I wouldn’t hyphenate if I were you.
I’m not a fan of hyphanated names, they just don’t appeal to me in looks as they feel very cluttered.
[name_u]Charlie[/name_u] on a girl, hm, I don’t mind it (as much as I mind other names) but it does make me think “boy” as a full name; I personally prefer longer, more gender-specific names in general as you can always go by a nickname but there will be no confusion as to what gender/sex the person is, no mail send to Mr. [name_u]Charlie[/name_u] LastName, no accidentally putting them in wrong teams and no having to explain that an e-mail by charlie-lastname@gmail.com was sent by a girl/woman, no wondering if the people at the job interview are expecting a boy, etc. which shouldn’t put you off, however, I know how much people, me included, can worry about things like that and how easily those things are avoided by just putting a “full” name on a birth certificate.