Naming children of ~mixed~ ethnic background

[jerney]

I'm talking about between two European/European descended people here. Should the heritage of both parents be represented in the child's name? I want my child to have a German/ic name to represent that side of its heritage, but I don't want to it sound ridiculous with the rest of their name either. I think it's a nice gesture, but I also think it sounds ridiculous when you have a "Alejandro Schmitz" or "Freya Popovic" . I think in most cases the first name should match the origin/culture of the surname and perhaps a nice solution could be to include a middle name that represents the other parents heritage?

[Sikeliot]

First and last names should match in ethnicity.

[Osweo]

Spanish naming customs make for some interesting combinations of course. Imagine thinking up a forename to fit, oh, let's say something like 'O'Hagan-Ramirez'....

And what about when one partner inherits a surname from a man that came to his country several generations ago, from a third country, and the descendant would prefer to acknowledge their actual country, rather than that of their great great great grandad...

[mymy]

There are many nice international names... However i agree it should match surname.

[jerney]

Spanish naming customs make for some interesting combinations of course. Imagine thinking up a forename to fit, oh, let's say something like 'O'Hagan-Ramirez'....

And what about when one partner inherits a surname from a man that came to his country several generations ago, from a third country, and the descendant would prefer to acknowledge their actual country, rather than that of their great great great grandad...

You're screwed then

[Osweo]

You're screwed then

I know!

Happily, a lot of names are equally English AND Spanish. All you do is add an '-O' on the end. I figure, call the kid Albert McMilligan, but let him be referred to as Alberto when in Spain, and by Spanish relatives.

[billErobreren]

I know!

Happily, a lot of names are equally English AND Spanish. All you do is add an '-O' on the end. I figure, call the kid Albert McMilligan, but let him be referred to as Alberto when in Spain, and by Spanish relatives.

& if a girl you can Always name her Dolores, Linda or Maria. Spanish names but very common among English speakers or just go neutral, French. Spanish names always have French equivalents & French names are common among English speakers as well.

Isabel-Isabelle
Estefania-Stephanie
Daniela-Danielle

[arcticwolf]

I'm talking about between two European/European descended people here. Should the heritage of both parents be represented in the child's name? I want my child to have a German/ic name to represent that side of its heritage, but I don't want to it sound ridiculous with the rest of their name either. I think it's a nice gesture, but I also think it sounds ridiculous when you have a "Alejandro Schmitz" or "Freya Popovic" . I think in most cases the first name should match the origin/culture of the surname and perhaps a nice solution could be to include a middle name that represents the other parents heritage?

This will be a little bit off topic but closely related. Well, is it really a good idea to marry outside of one's meta-ethnicity? It can be quite difficult on the kids. Traditions are different, mindsets are different. I know both are European, but is that good enough? I think it requires a lot more thought than just naming the kids, that's the easy part. I wouldn't forget that infatuation is just temporary then reality sets in after a while and it's not all roses any more. It's hard enough to make marriage work within the same nationality, I can only imagine how hard it has to be for two people from different backgrounds.

[AussieScott]

I say when in Rome(Greece) do as Romans(Greeks) do.

So my suggestion would be first name Greek, one easily to Germanise for German holidays with family..., middle name your Germanic ancestry and last name Greek.

If you have a second child(I'm getting a head of myself here) you may want to take turns with the middle name, for Ancestory purposes. Plus it may depend if the child is a boy or girl. Being if the child is a boy the father may have a paternal name that is special to him, if the child was a girl, you may have a maternal middle name that may be special to pass on for you.

You can always give the child two middle names...

My half brother and sister are half Italian/Scottish. They both have Italian last names, Brother has Italian middle name, Scottish first name, Sister has Scottish first and middle name. Both there first names can be made Italian when in Italiano company or on holiday in Italy.

Ultimately it's up to future Mum and Dad, you'll have lots of fun reading name books...

[Laubach]

well, I have German, Italian, French and Austrian background. My first name is Italian, meaning "reborn." I have four surnames, two of Germanic origin (Austrian and German) and a French norman surname and Italian surname.

My son will be born in a few months, will be called Werner. And If I had a daughter, her name is Sophie.

As I intend to have four children, the next will be a Polish name, because my wife has Polish origin and the fourth will have an Italian name

But my children will only have two surnames, instead of four I have an three of my wife