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Parents often find it difficult to decide between two names for their babies. But how about picking both for your little one? Double-barreled or hyphenated baby names provide endless opportunities for parents to give their babies the best and most unique name. When two names are joined with a hyphen, it’s called a double-barreled or hyphenated name. The trend of having two names originally started with surnames and gradually moved towards given names. If you are interested in hyphenated or double-barreled names, have a look at the list below to find some beautiful inspirations.
Key Pointers
- Britishers first used double-barreled or hyphenated names to help preserve rare family names.
- In the UK, hyphenated names were common for upper-class people, while Hispanics used them for patronymics.
- Celebrities with double-barreled names have helped popularize this practice across the globe.
- Double-barreled names may be cool but also troublesome when filling out official forms online.
- The use of double-barreled names has increased significantly in recent years, indicating the growing desire for unconventional names./li>
Unique Double-Barreled Baby Names
Double-Barreled Baby Girl Names
Data from the Office of National Statistics suggest that the use of double-barreled names has been relatively higher for girls than for boys in the UK (1). Here are some lovely double-barreled baby girl names for your princess.
- Amelia-Leigh
- Amelia-Rose
- Amy-Louise
- Annie-May
- Autumn-Rose
- Ava-Mae
- Casey-Leigh
- Charlotte-Rose
- Chloe–Anne
- Chloe-Louise
- Daisy-Mae
- Demi-Leigh
- Ella-Ann
- Ella-May
- Ella-Rose
- Ellie-May
- Eva-Maria
- Evie-Mae
- Flora-Ann
- Gracie-Mae
- Harper-Rose
- Isabella-Leigh
- Isla-Louise
- Ivy-Rose
- Jaime-Leigh
- Lacey-Mai
- Leah-Marie
- Lillie-Ann
- Lily-Grace
- Lily-May
- Lily-Rose
- Lily-Sue
- Lisa-Marie
- Lola-Rose
- Mia-Jane
- Mia-Louise
- Mia-Rose
- Millie-Rose
- Olive-May
- Olivia-Faye
- Rosie-May
- Ruby-Ann
- Ruby-Grace
- Ruby-Jo
- Ruby-May
- Sarah-Jane
- Sarah-Louise
- Scarlett-Rose
- Sophia-Grace
- Summer-Louise
- Willow-Mae
Double-Barreled Baby Boy Names
Choose from one of these double-barreled baby boy names or take inspiration from them to create a cool name for your child and make him stand out from the crowd.
- A-Jay
- Abdul–Malik
- Abdul-Rahman
- Abdul-Razzak
- Al-Ameen
- Alfie-George
- Alfie-Jay
- Alfie-Ray
- Andrew-Greg
- Archie-Jack
- Bailey-James
- Bailey-Ray
- Billy-James
- Billy-Joe
- Bobby-James
- Bradley-John
- Carter-James
- Chris-Junior
- Cody-Jay
- Cody-Lee
- Corey-James
- Dalton-Gray
- Dylan-James
- Ethan-James
- Ethan-Lee
- Harvey-Lee
- Hunter-Lee
- Jack-Dean
- Jack-Thomas
- Jacob-James
- Jaiden-Lee
- James-Dean
- Jamie-Ray
- Jayden-George
- Jesse-James
- Jesse-Lee
- John-Paul
- John-Moss
- Joshua-Lee
- Logan-Lee
- Marley-Jay
- Mason-Lee
- Oliver-James
- Peter-Mark
- Riley-James
- Ronnie-Ray
- Ryan-James
- Theo-James
- Tommy-Joe
- Tyler-James
Did you know?Celebrities With Hyphenated Or Double-Barreled Names
1. Chien-Ming Wang
Chien-Ming Wang is a Taiwanese baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. He previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, and New York Yankees. He was signed as an amateur free agent in the year 2000 with the Yankees. After playing in Minor League Baseball, Wang made his MLB debut in 2005.
2. T-Pain
Faheem Rashad Najm, born as T-Pain is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter. The name T-Pain stands for Tallahassee pain’. His second album, “Epiphany” reached the number one spot on “Billboard 200”. T-Pain has also released a series of hit albums like “Can’t Believe It”, “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” and many more.
3. Cee-Lo Green
Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, better known as Cee-Lo Green is an American songwriter, actor, businessperson, and singer. He gained prominence as a member of Goodie Mob, the southern hip-hop group. Subsequently, Green embarked on a solo career, spurred by his popularity on YouTube. He is best known for his work “Crazy.’
4. Sian Adey-Jones
Sian Adey-Jones is a former beauty queen and glamor model. She won the title Miss Whales and was the second runner-up in Miss Universe in the same year. Currently, she lives in Ibiza with her husband Rocco, and children.
5. Yau-Man Chan
Yau-Man Chan is a Malaysian-American table tennis player and a reality show participant. He finished fourth on the reality television series, “Survivor: Fiji”. He even took part in the show Survivor: Micronesia, where he was the third contestant to be ousted out of the game. On the “Survivor” website, Chan was voted the favorite survivor.
6. John-Cooper Clarke
John Cooper Clarke is the man born ahead of his time. This English performance poet became famous during the punk rock era during the 1970s. Unfortunately, he spent the golden years of his life in heroin addiction. Thankfully, fatherhood rescued him. He now lives with his family in Colchester.
7. Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick
Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick is an American actor, whose first role was as Damien Thorn in the movie “The Omen”. He began his career by acting in commercials for the Flintstone vitamins and Marriot. Seamus also appeared in the television series “Sex and the City”. This young and talented actor has acted in seven movies until now.
8. Jean-Robert Bellande
Jean-Robert Bellande is an American Poker player, a nightclub owner, and a reality television contestant. He gained his first exposure during a World Series of Poker event in the year 2016. He took the third position, behind Jennifer Harman and Dough Lee. Besides, Jean-Robert Bellande was also a contestant on Survivor: China.
9. John-Cougar Mellencamp
This pop star, belonging to Florida, was born just John Mellencamp. After leaving Snakepit Banana Barn, a teenage band, he released his first solo album, which his manager released under the name of John Cougar. He hit the number one spot three years later with the anthemic Jack and Diane.
10. Mary-Margaret Humes
Mary-Margaret Humes is an American star, best known for playing the role of Gail Leery in WB television series “Dawson’s Creek” and Vestal Virgin Miriam in “History of the World, Part 1”. Before becoming an actress, Mary-Margaret Humes won the Miss Florida USA pageant and was the third runner-up in Miss USA pageant.
11. Patricia Kennealy-Morrison
Patricia Kennealy-Morrison is an author and journalist famous for her work “The Keltiad” and “The Rock&Roll Murders: The Rennie Stride Mysteries”. Her works include a memoir, rock criticism, and series of fantasy and science fiction.
12. Bradley Wright-Phillips
Bradley Wright-Phillips is an English football player who plays as a striker for the New York Red Bulls team. He began his career with Manchester City and spent the remainder of his time in England, playing with Brentford, Southampton, and Plymouth Argyle.
13. Sarah Barrable-Tishauer
Sarah Barrable-Tishauer is a Canadian actress known for her role in “Degrassi: The Next Generation”. Her other works include “The Red Sneakers” and “Degrassi Takes Manhattan”.
14. Sun Yat-Sen
Sun Yat-Sen was a Chinese revolutionary and the founding father of the Republic of China. He’s also referred to as the “Father of the Nation” in China.
15. Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot
Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot, the pin-up boy of the 1980s, was the lead singer of the band, “Curiosity Killed the Cat”. His lineup includes two other double-barrelled members as well, including Nicholas Bernard Thorp and Julian Godfrey Brookhouse.
Are Double-Barreled Names Written Without A Hyphen?
Some double-barreled names are also written without a hyphen, which often causes confusion as to whether the name is double-barreled or not. Here are some notable people with unhyphenated double-barreled names.
- David Lloyd George: The British statesman and liberal politician was born with Lloyd as the middle name, but he later converted his name into a double-barreled surname.
- Ralph Vaughan Williams: The English composer
- Sacha Baron Cohen: The English actor, screenwriter, and comedian
- Helena Bonham Carter: The renowned, Academy Award nominated actress
- Robert Hanbury Brown: The British astronomer, and Physicist
Tips To Make Double-Barreled Names Look Cool
The reason many parents opt for double-barreled names is because they sound cool. Here are some tips for creating an interesting name combination for your little one.
1. Strike a balance: Try to pick names that flow well together. Combining a short name with a longer one, or the other way around, often creates a good balance. For instance, Ava-Rose (short-long) or Maxwell-Jude (long-short).
2. Use unique but simple names: Some double-barreled names can sound too traditional and boring. Instead opt for names that are unique yet simple. For instance, Luna-Skye and Zane-Kai are uncommon yet simple names.
3. Consider the initials: If you want your child to have a cool hyphenated name that can also sound trendy when shortened, pick letters that sound good together. For example, Leo-Jack can become LJ, while Mia-Joanna can become MJ.
4. Create a modern and classic blend: To make an interesting name combination, try pairing a modern name with a classic one. For instance, James-Kairo (traditional + unique) or Helen-Rue (classic + edgy).
5. Make a meaningful combination: Select names that can have a good meaning when paired together. For example, Aria-Lux (Aria means ‘melody’ in Italian, while Lux means ‘light’ in Latin) or River-Zen (River signifies peace and growth, while the Chinese name Zen evokes a sense of spiritual enlightenment and tranquility).
Good Things About Double-Barreled Names
The trend of using double-barreled baby names has witnessed fluctuations over the past few decades. Their popularity rose significantly in the early 2000s, with a notable increase in the number of babies given such names. Here are some reasons why having such a name can be beneficial for your child.
1. It is a way of keeping your identity intact: One of the primary reasons women hyphenate their last names is to keep their identity intact while keeping their husbands happy. Your name is associated with an identity, and hyphenation allows you to respect that.
2. It keeps you connected to your accomplishments: Hyphenated or double-barreled names allow women to stay connected to their accomplishments even after marriage. Some women partially hyphenate their names because their educational degrees are under their maiden names.
3. The name is exclusive to you (in most cases): This is the most remarkable thing about double-barreled or hyphenated names. Whether you are paying homage to your parents or honoring your family, your name is exclusive to you.
Drawbacks Of Double-Barreled Names
Recent data indicate a decline in the preference for hyphenated names, especially for boys, in the last two decades (1). This change indicates the evolving tastes of parents increasingly choosing single, distinctive names. While double-barreled names may have become trendy in the early 21st century, recent trends indicate that parents today are opting for simpler, single names. The following are some reasons you may want to avoid these names.
1. Difficult for computers to handle: Hyphenated names are difficult for even computers to handle. While typing your personal information, the hyphen is not recognized by the computer. So you have to eliminate the hyphen, which can cause problems later.
2. Annoying for some people: If you are one of those parents who care about outside opinions, we must let you know that people find hyphenated names annoying. Some people think that hyphenated or double-barreled names sound snobby, while others just find it irritating to remember which name they are supposed to say first.
3. Confusing for the child: Yes, hyphenated names can also be confusing for children, at least in the initial stages of life. Learning to write and spell such a name can be extremely confusing for them. They may also struggle to introduce themselves as they may wonder if they have to say their complete name or only a part of it. Also, when teachers or friends mispronounce their names, it can be frustrating for them.
4. Legal and administrative challenges: Not all government systems acknowledge double-barreled names. Legal documents, such as passports, ID cards, and forms, often have character limits, which can cause problems for people with long double-barreled names. Some legal forms do not allow spaces or special characters, forcing an individual to alter how their name is written. Banks often process transactions only when the names are a perfect match. If any legal document does not contain the exact double-barreled name, it can cause trouble in processing payments.
How Double-Barreled Names Are Written In Different Countries
Double-barreled names are written in various ways in different countries, depending on the traditions and societal norms. Here, we have covered the practices in a few countries. If you want to use double-barreled names for your child, you must follow some rules and regulations, which vary from region to region. Below are a few:
UK
In England, double-barreled surnames originated somewhere in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly among the aristocracy and landed gentry. Back then, families combined surnames through marriage or inheritance to preserve both family names, especially when property or social status was tied to a particular lineage (2).
A few upper-class British families also have triple-barreled surnames. Examples include Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, Cave-Browne-Cave, and Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby.
Some British surnames are quadruple-barreled as well, like Montagu-Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie, Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis. The surname of the now-extinct family of the Dukes of Buckingham and Chandos was also quadruple-barreled.
Hispanic
In the Hispanic tradition, double-barreled surnames are not an indication of social status but a norm. A person takes the surname of his father followed by the surname of his mother’s family (3). The double-barreled surname is ancestral. The Hispanic names are combined with a hyphen, but can also be combined using ‘y’.
Germany
With the Germans, double surnames are taken upon marriage and can be written with or without the hyphen. They usually combine the husband’s surname with the wife’s surname. These double surnames are also called ‘doppelname’ in Germany.
The double-barrelled names or surnames are joined with a single hyphen. The German government does not accept any other type of double surnames. But exceptions can be made in terms of immigrants or after marriage, where the double surname had already been the official name of a spouse before the wedding. A 1993 law also forbids using surnames with two or more components.
Switzerland
In Switzerland, double-barreled names or surnames are written with a hyphen. They usually combine the surnames of married couples. The husband’s surname is given the first place, and the wife’s surname the second. This is called alliance name. The prominent Switzerland figures bearing double-barrelled surnames are – Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Federal Minister for Finance of Switzerland, Michelin Calmy-Rey, the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, and Johann Schneider-Ammann, the Federal Minister of Economy of Switzerland.
The Netherlands
The Dutch also practice double-barreled surnames (4). A famous example of it would be Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. Researchers suggest that his name was derived from the 17th century when the farming families living in Holland’s Enschede area intermarried. Both Hesselink and Vennegoor names carried equal weight. So rather than choosing between the two names, they chose both the names.
Denmark
The tradition of double surnames in Denmark originated in the 19th century. It arose as a result of two naming acts allowing the commoners to adopt the heritable surnames. It was passed for the first time in the year 1771 by the Duchy of Schleswig. Most of the people chose their father’s name as their heritable surname, giving rise to an overwhelming dominance of a few surnames.
To avoid the possibility of mistaken identity, the Danes started using their mother’s maiden name as the middle name, just like the Hispanic System, which resulted in three Prime Ministers of Denmark sharing the last name.
Today, the Danes place the patronymic –sen at the end of the surname, regardless of whether the name was passed down from their father or mother (5).
Poland
In Poland, a double surname is joined by a single hyphen. The Polish surnames are hereditary and patrilineal, which means they are passed from father to children. A married woman can adopt her husband’s name if she wants. She can also keep her maiden name or add her husband’s surname to her own, creating a second name called ‘nazwisko zlozone’ (6).
France
In France, double-hyphenated and double-barrelled names are considered ungrammatical. A few years ago, the French States decreed that the new double-barrelled surnames must be spelt with two hyphens, rather than one. The decision generated a series of legal battles in which parents objected to the children being double-dashed.
Instead of the kids automatically taking their father’s surname, parents are given options. Kids could take their dad’s or their mother’s name, either a double-barrelled name with father’s name as a first name or the mother’s.
Old names that are passed down through the generations could be single hyphenated or non-hyphenated.
Iberia
When a baby is born in Iberia, it’s customary for him to take the first surname of the father and then the first surname of his mother. Legally, Enrique Iglesias’ full name is Enrique Iglesias Preysler. Even double-barrelled names are quite famous in Iberia, examples being Pérez de Arce, Cruz-Coke or García-Huidobro.
Portugal
In Portugal, double-barreled names and surnames are very common. Parents can either combine the paternal and maternal surname to bestow upon their child, or they can use a double last name passed down through one of the parents. The last surname is considered the most significant. It’s also important to note that the use of double-barrelled names in public life is not very common, but not entirely unheard of as well.
Asian And Non-Western Countries
The Chinese too have compound surnames (7). Most of these surnames are derived from official and noble titles, place names, professions, and other areas. Some of these names are originally non-Han while others are created by joining two one character family names. The baby name officials suggest that parents must be encouraged to give double-barreled or hyphenated surname for their kids by combining their parents’ one-syllable surnames. It would make the names unique and prevent the problem of recurring names. Several Koreans and Vietnamese have also adopted compound surnames.
In India, double-barreled or hyphenated surnames are quite common, especially among the Bengali communities. Examples include Das Gupta, Roy Chaudhry, and Dutta Roy.
In the Philippines, the naming tradition is derived from the Hispanic system but is influenced by the American naming tradition because the Philippines was once a United States Colony. As per the tradition, a Filipino baby is required to carry the mother’s maiden name as the middle name and the father’s surname. When the woman marries, she has to keep her maiden name and then add her husband’s surname. She may or may not hyphenate the name. For example, when Maria Rose Aguan marries John Dean Castro, her name will become Maria Rose Aguan Castro and her children will carry the surname Aguan Castro.
In most countries, taking up a double-barreled surname is a decision left up to the girl getting married. When blogger Shalan got married, she too wondered if it would be suitable to change her surname completely or go for a hyphenated surname. She says, “Essentially there were four options—keeping my maiden name, taking my spouse’s surname, moving my maiden name to my middle name, or hyphenating/combing the two…Luckily LeBraun’s the sweetest and just wants us to be happy so he left the final decision up to me. Originally I planned on keeping my name as is. After all, it had been my identity for all 28 years of my life, but once I knew how LeBraun felt the decision was easy—to double barrel my name! It’s the best of both worlds. I get to keep the name that I love—the name that reflects my past—while simultaneously taking my husband’s surname—the name that reflects our partnership, new family, and future! (i)”
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which name comes first in a hyphenated name?
The preference for the first surname might vary in each country. Most countries place the father’s surname first, followed by the mother’s surname. However, the preference for a name might change in each country.
2. Why do people hyphenate baby’s last names?
Parents use hyphenated surnames if they wish their child to inherit both the family names. The order of the surnames is dependent on the parents’ choice.
3. Are hyphenated first names good?
Hyphenated first names can be a matter of personal preference and cultural significance. Some individuals find them unique and meaningful, while others may consider them cumbersome or difficult to use. Ultimately, the decision of whether hyphenated first names are good or not depends on individual tastes and cultural considerations.
4. Which name is more important in a hyphenated name?
Both names hold equal importance in a hyphenated name.
5. How do I decide whether to use a hyphenated baby name or not?
When deciding whether to use a hyphenated baby name or not, consider personal preference, cultural significance, ease of pronunciation, and potential long-term implications. Reflect on the name’s uniqueness, its compatibility with the child’s last name, and the potential impact on future paperwork and identification. Ultimately, the decision should align with your values, resonate with you and your partner, and serve the child’s best interests.
6. Are there any rules or guidelines for creating a hyphenated baby name?
There are no strict rules or guidelines for creating a hyphenated baby name. However, it is advisable to ensure the names flow well together, consider pronunciation and spelling ease, and be mindful of cultural appropriateness or significance to create a balanced and meaningful hyphenated name.
Would you consider double-barreled or hyphenated names for your babies? The trend has started to take off in the United States as well, especially in Hollywood. In fact, Hollywood has been using double-barreled and hyphenated baby names for quite some time now. Johnny Depp named his daughter Lily-Rose. Jamie Oliver named his daughters Petal Blossom, Poppy Honey, Daisy Boo, and Buddy Bear, and Kate Moss named her daughter Lila-Grace.
Infographic: What Effect Might A Hyphenated Name Have?
Several nations and societies frequently use hyphenated names. It might be a good idea to have a double-barreled or hyphenated name influenced by two families, but this naming system has its cons too. See the infographic below for more details on this naming system. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Unique Double-Barreled Or Hyphenated Baby Names
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Learn how to choose the perfect hyphenated name for your baby girl! Get tips on combining names, avoiding awkward combinations, and more.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. #shabraun | My Decision to Double-Barrel My Last Name;
https://studioist.co/posts/shabraun-double-barrel-last-name
References
- Baby names in England and Wales: 2023
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/bulletins/babynamesenglandandwales/2023 - The History of Double Barrel Surnames.
https://www.ukdeedpolloffice.org/double-barrel-surname/ - Curiosities: Why are so many Hispanic names hyphenated?
https://news.wisc.edu/curiosities-why-are-so-many-hispanic-names-hyphenated/ - Which surname can I give my child?
https://www.government.nl/topics/registering-a-birth-and-name-of-child/question-and-answer/which-surname-can-i-choose-for-my-child - Forenames middle names and surnames.
https://names.ku.dk/personal_names/forenames_middle-names_surnames/ - Basic Explanation of Polish Surname Endings.
https://feefhs.org/sites/default/files/guide/Basic%20Explanation%20of%20Polish%20Surname%20Endings.pdf - Chinese names.
http://en.chinaculture.org/library/2008-02/05/content_23824.htm
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