DH likes the sound but is concerned that it’s “not a name”. I don’t think he’s really familiar with the family-surname-as-middle thing — it’s not done so often over here and he’s not as name-obsessed as me!
My first thought was “it sounds like a card company” and realized it was because it reminds me of Hallmark. But I’m guessing that association doesn’t exist in the UK, so you’d probably be fine.
If you wanted something more commonly used as a name though, what about just [name_m]Mark[/name_m]? It’s right there in Goldm@rk so even though you’d likely have to explain it, people would probably get it right away when you did.
Very cool for a middle name! As a first name, it would feel a bit more wordy. Usually I love word names, but I can’t quite pinpoint an imagery suitable for that one.
Thanks so much for the feedback! I’m actually really loving this the more I think about it, and it would mean such a lot to use a name connected to this person.
@bonfireazalea I have heard of Hallmark, but it hadn’t really crossed my mind so I’m not too worried about it. And thank you for the [name_m]Mark[/name_m] suggestion, but unfortunately there’s one in the family who I think would be rather perplexed if we used his name! But I do appreciate the input.
Yep, it’s definitely usable. I kind of like the sound, too! And if you can’t use [name_m]Mark[/name_m], I think [name_m]Gold[/name_m] also works as a name as long as you don’t pair it with another word name.
You have a ton of flexibility with middle names. This is a good spot for a hippie nature name, an important patron saint with a weird moniker, a guilty pleasure foreign or archaic name, a pop culture or literary name that’s a little too on the nose for a first name, or an surname family name. Most people will assume this last is the case. It may be more common here than where you are, but it’s still not unheard of in many places for a maternal surname or an important ancestor surname to be a person’s middle name. I think it’s just fine. Besides which, it sounds strong and quite distinctive. I’d say you’re good to go.