Eamon with German last name?

Emerald27 · May 2013

DH's mom has an Irish last name, and his last name, er...our last name, is German. He's 50/50 Irish and German.

My maiden name is Irish, but I'm only about 1/4 Irish. The rest of me is German, English, and Spanish.

Anyway, my first question is what do you all think about strong ethnic names that don't match the last name or the individual's ancestral origins?

DH and I both love Eamon, but we're worried about pairing it with our German last name...that people will think it's strange or something. Thoughts?

ETA: We like Eamon Francis, but are open to suggestions! DS is Henry.

Helenahhandbasket · May 2013

I love Eamon, and I think it's fine with a German sounding last name.

My one concern would be if your last name is difficult to pronounce. I know how to pronounce Eamon, but that's only because I grew up with one. Had I never seen the name before, I am sure I would butcher it.

So, if your last name is something like Schmidt, go for it. But if it's closer to Farfignugen, I might hesitate.

EastCoastBride · May 2013

We picked a very Irish first name for DS and we have a very jewish last name. So clearly, we didn't worry about it... : )

Meggiemuggins · May 2013

I say go for it, it's not weird. We did the opposite - LO is Nicklaus (a family name) and the last name is British

Maybe a hundred years ago it would have been unusual, but almost everyone I know is an ethnic mutt.

cjm724 · May 2013

I've never heard the name Eamon before, but I am assuming it is pronounced "Ee-mun?" I think it is unique and different, and I like it! I say if you both love it, why not go for it? Having the Irish and German name is just a part of who he is!

sunlavender · May 2013

I like it.

strawberrytree · May 2013

Ok, I'll be the dissenter. I don't like strongly ethnic names [which I consider Eamon/Eamonnto be; I wouldn't have the issue with a name like Liam, Aidan, Conor etc] paired with last names that are strongly ethnic, for lack of a better word, but a different heritage.

If it's something like you were born in Ireland and want to honour that, that's different to me, but 1/4 Irish is a nice term for general North American mutt to me. Jmo.

Mochadoodle · May 2013

It's pronounced ay-mon, right? I like it.

caittozer · May 2013

Eamon automatically makes me think of the "Expletive It, I don't want you back" song. I don't think the Irish/German pairing is terrible. I can't get behind the Irish fn and Italian ln though. Which is the boat I'm in.

jallascalla · May 2013

Ireland's most famous Eamon has a Cuban last name (Eamon De Valera, leader of the war of Independence, President, etc), so no, I don't think it is an issue. The US is filled with mixed ethnic names, and I think it is great. They can't all be Benjamin, Jack and Jacobs!

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