Message: "Alliterate Names"

Alliterate Names

by Belphoebe

9/16/2023, 10:38 AM

What do you think about alliterate names? (first name starting with the same name as the surname)

Yay or nay?

Examples:

Alexandra Aston

Bailey van der Bilt

Michael McFarland

Morgan del Mar

Terence von Trapp

ED9-E39-BE-B758-4-AC6-85-E7-7054-F657-D762

Replies

- Delphi_Blue

9/17/2023, 3:40 AM

Very much depends on the individual sounds. Sometimes it works because the sounds are different - eg Sylvie Stevens, George Grayson. Other times the sounds are too repetitive and it doesn’t - eg Harvey Harrison, Emma Emerson.

And sometimes it’s just goofy and comical and just a bad idea - Alex Alexander, Harry Harrison, Philippa Philips ect.

Case by case basis.

- mirfak +1

9/16/2023, 11:42 PM

Generally I like them, they are more memorable.

Certain letters repeated, and certain names together, sound a bit gimmicky or awkward, but I don't mind most alliteration.

- Belphoebe

9/17/2023, 7:06 AM

This is my opinion as well

- Grazz

9/16/2023, 7:42 PM

Honestly, if you really like a name, you wouldn’t care that it starts with the first letter of your last name. It’s not unprofessional or anything, unless it’s dumb for other reasons. Now if it’s something like Phil Phillips, that’s a different story.

- Kerilyntaryn21

9/16/2023, 2:45 PM

I don't like it at all

- Dracotorix

9/16/2023, 1:48 PM

I don't like them. It's okay for a fictional character in a self-aware genre, but I think people should avoid this when naming real people. Even if it's your favorite name in the world, I'd say don't use it if your last name starts with the same letter.

- Ceri (Ceri12) +3

9/16/2023, 12:35 PM

Not a fan. What’s even worse is naming your child John if your last name is Johnson or Johnston, Pete Peterson, or Andy Anderson.

- Belphoebe +2

9/16/2023, 1:25 PM

Yes, and it's more common than you'd initially think. I remember seeing it a lot in Belgium, and I believe it's common in Iran as well. Via via (as things go) I know an Iranian man whose first name is almost the same as his last name (Think Carl Carlson). His sister's name is almost the same as her own daughter's name (think Sarah/Sara).

- Dracotorix +1

9/16/2023, 1:49 PM

I imagine this is common in places/languages where you actually use patronymics or matronymics? Like, John Johnson would be dumb in English, but if you're using a language where your last name is Johnson because your dad's first name is literally John, then I think it makes more sense to have a double initial or an entire double name.

- Belphoebe

9/17/2023, 7:09 AM

True. I will ask my Iranian friend next time her see her about Iranian naming traditions, but I imagine it's as you mentioned.

- ✧･ﾟ: *Magpie*:･ﾟ✧ (PrincessZ)

9/16/2023, 11:34 AM

Nay from me. We've been actively avoiding it twofold (my boyfriend and I plan to have a double-barrel name so we've been avoiding two letters)

- Amphelise (Chrisell)

9/16/2023, 11:32 AM

Alliterative names aren’t my thing, but I will take alliteration over assonance or rhyming.

- namesarecool285

9/16/2023, 11:08 AM

I’m actually a fan of alliteration in names; I think they have a good, rhythmic sound. I’d only turn from alliterative names if they had too much repetition, like Pepper Piper (first name Pepper, last name Piper). In this case, I find the “p” sound a little too prevalent in the combination.

- Realisticmind379

9/16/2023, 10:54 AM

I'm personally not a fan of them, though I know they can often take place without intention. I know sometimes they can be ok, but it's still something that I would actively avoid. I think alliteration sets are even worse, especially when it's done on twins. It's certainly one of my name pet peeves. I rather hear of something like Julia & Brandon, than say, Penelope & Parker. (Although if the surname started with a 'P', then a 'P' name should definitely be avoided at all costs. 😅)

This message was edited 9/16/2023, 10:55 AM

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