how many syllables is too many?

bawags · January 2013

How many syllables do you feel is too many? We have a 4 syllable last name that ends in "er" and have chosen a girl's name (we're waiting to be surprised!) that is 3 syllables. Now we are trying to pick a middle name. Would you stick to 1 and 2 syllable middle names or does it not matter in your opinion? I already am feeling bad about her having to learn to write it all! Thanks!

plunderb · January 2013

I love a long name. My name is 11 syllables and DD's is 10. There's a good chance #2 will have my maiden name as a middle (4 syllables). For me, the meaning of the name (especially family meaning) is way more important than flow. And I also love nns, so DD has the option of writing/saying an easy name.

EmeraldSea · January 2013

I went to school with a guy who had a 5 syllable last name. Both his first and middle names were 3 syllables each. It's a mouthful but flowed really well!

MommaG123 · January 2013

Yeah I don't worry about there being too many syllables as much as I try to think about how the name flows together and sounds good.

austenreader85 · January 2013

I don't think it matters too much. After introductions peopke are seldom known by furst and ladt name. And I think it's ok to have a longer middle name too, few people ever know it. I would stay away from something so long it won't fit on a standardized bubble test (think it's 20 letters or so) and keep in mind that long first names are more prone to be shortened. So it might be harder to "enforce" he/she never gets called by a nickname if that matters to you.

catycate · January 2013

I don't think that syllables matter as much as flow.

queenbone · January 2013

I like names with lots of syllables, so I don't think you can have too many.

I wouldn't limit yourself to 1 syllable names unless it is one you really love.

starshineamator · January 2013

LOL we are in the exact same situation! 4 syllable last name that ends in "er" and we've chosen a 3 syllable girl's name (though we know she's a girl). The two middle names left that we are deciding between are both 4 syllables each! Eeeek! But as much as a part of me feels bad that she'll have such a crazy long name, I can't help but to feel like I really want the middle name to be something meaningful to us that we love and choosing another one based solely on the fact that others are too long doesn't sit well with me.