Do I Have A Responsibility. . .

amhough · January 2009

If we have a girl I really want to name her Penelope Anne (Penelope after the wife of Oddyseus and Anne after my mom), but our last name is REALLY long and hard to spell, so is this cruel? Do I have a responsibility to give our child a shorter name that they won't have to spell all the time? We would call her Penny probably. Is she fated to hate standardized tests forever?

ShanLeAnn · January 2009

I LOVE that name and I don't think that she'd have to spell it all the time. Even though it's not that common among little ones, it's still a well known name.?

I wanted to name the baby that if we had a girl, but it's so not an option because our last name starts with P...I'm not down with the alliteration.?

MrsJJC · January 2009

I don't think you do. I love the name. My full maiden name was 23 characters long and I managed. ?No big deal.?

MrsJJC · January 2009

PS - Standardized tests are starting to come pre-labeled so the kids don't have to bubble in their name for hours. ;-)?

amhough · January 2009

Thank you, the standardized test thing was actually one of my biggest concerns.

Emie28 · January 2009

I really don't think it is that big of a deal, I taught 1st grade special ed last year and had children with names like Tyra'Nesha Shaquana Sturdivant and they all seemed ok with their super long names.

jaredswife · January 2009

I dont think you have a responsibility to do that, but I think you should consider how it looks and sounds to have a long first and last name.

EXL311 · January 2009

MrsJJC:
I don't think you do. I love the name. My full maiden name was 23 characters long and I managed. No big deal.

Wow, my maiden name was 4 letters and now my married name is too. I can't even begin to imagine having a 23 letter name.

Em&Joel · January 2009

I think Penelope Anne is a great name. She can always use a nickname like Penny.

brightning · January 2009

I don't think so. Ultimately, a person spends most of their life as an adult, so you're naming an adult who will be literate and can write quickly. I think you should focus more on how the name sounds/if you like it, not now long it is.

FWIW, our last name is short, and DD's name has 4 letters. I thought it might look weird with so many short names, so I gave her a long middle name (Gabrielle). I totally regret it now, because the name has no meaning to me. It's just a "filler" and I wish I'd gone with the short middle name that does have meaning (Rae).

rouge411 · January 2009

I think you're fine.

MaudGonne · January 2009

Great name! I think it would be fine with a long surname.

TxGal · January 2009

I am in the same situation. I have a tough last name we always have to spell. I went with Annabelle for my first and Penelope is on my DH's list. It is his turn. It is growing on me and I don't think it is hard to spell. I am not normally a fan is nn's but I love Penny and would consider doing that. I would go for it if you love it.

talltalltrees · January 2009

I think it's fine. And I love Penelope/Penny.?

NoleGirlKEF · January 2009

My full maiden name was 29 letters... Katherine Elizabeth 11 letter crazy Polish last name. Yes, bubbling in my name on tests SUCKED, but it's a small part of life and as an adult I very much appreciate having a strong, classic name.

Plus, even if her first name was shorter - Anne, Amy, Katie, Sara.. she would still have to spell it... Ann, Aimee, Katy, Sarah.

KMR816 · January 2009

Penelope is fine. ?I teach first graders...and I have several kids with shortened names...but they LOVE to write their longer names instead to show how smart they are! ?lol! ?Like I have an Elizabeth that goes by Lizzy...but she likes to write Elizabeth and a Malaki that goes by Ki who likes to write Malaki.

Sxia · January 2009

I love long names. Penelope is a great name. (BTW, my maiden name has 21 letters and I added a name onto that for 25 letters for my married name.) I don't have to write it out often, so no biggie.)

MrsTeague · January 2009

My name is Lindsay, which is only 2 syllables but is almost as many letters as Penelope. I'm naming this baby Penelope Jane if it's a girl.

Corinneallyson · January 2009

I'm sorry - but I'm going to say keep it under 3 syllables...although I guess it depends on exactly how long it is. DH's last name, and therefor DC's last name, has 9 letters and 3 syllables, and is very french. I'm trying to keep the first name at one or two syllables. I guess that is coming from a girl with the last name Taylor though...lol.

*JCsGirl* · January 2009

Wow, there's lots of Penelope love on this board! We are also using the name Penelope if this baby is a girl. I think part of the appeal of Penelope is the endless choice of nick names. If your daughter is bothered by the length of her name she could go by Penny, Polly, Poppy (my fave), Nell, Nellie, Elle, Ellie, etc. I wouldn't worry about the length if you love it.

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