Help! Hyphenated first name trouble! Am I allowed to do this?

Question

I want to call my daughter Phaedra Vesper, but I don't want her to be called just Phaedra - I want her first name to be Phaedra Vesper.

I have a friend who called her daughter AnnaSophia because she didn't want her daughter to be called just Anna, but AnnaSophia. I think PhaedraVesper looks way too odd and I don't like it, but I also think Phaedra-Vesper as a hyphenated name looks a bit strange too. I feel like it definitely needs to be two separate names because they are such strong names, but flow so beautifully together.

So can a first name have a space in it? Or would I have to put Phaedra as her first name then Vesper as her first middle name then her actual middle name Wilde, as her second middle name. If I do have to put Vesper as her first middle name, can I still insist at school and such that she be called Phaedra Vesper? Or will it have to be a hyphenated name to insist on that?

Thanks.

BTW - I don't really need any negative comments about the name, as so many people feel compelled to give me. I love the name and have decided on it, whether people like it or not. It holds a lot of meaning to me.

Answer 1

wow...all i can say is that is a very original name.  i think that by adding the hyphen the name looks more like a last name than a first.  just request that people use both names and not just one.

Answer 2

No matter if you connect the names, insist they be said together, etc. people are always going to shorten it to one.  

Answer 3

I would keep it two separate -- if you call her phaedra vesper it will encourage other people to call her the same.  when she starts school meet with the teachers and let them know too.  think of old school double names like mary beth, mary ann, etc.

your biggest detractors are going to be the ones that shorten everything -- expect some people to call her phae.

Answer 4

Your name is as weird as it is.  

Answer 5

I'd keep it two names, unhyphenated.  My husband's cousin is Lori Beth and everyone calls her Lori Beth.  Just insist that people use both names all the time and by the time she's in school, she'll correct people if they just call her Phaedra.  I don't think it's any different than if you name your daughter something like "Olivia" and don't want it shortened to "Livvie".  Just keep using the name how you like it and that's how she'll introduce herself to people.

PS: Kudos on using this name.  Stand strong!

Answer 6

young lady if you want a hyphen in your daughter's first name, put it in he name! Its your daughter, its your name you want for your daughter, who is going to tell you you can not do it?

Answer 7

Don't hyphenate the names just fill out the birth certificate with Phaedra and Vesper both on the line for the first name then but her midle name on the middle name line and last name ect.

Answer 8

Though I'm not sure how to pronounce it (which would help me to give you suggestions on how to combine both names into one) I like the look of it hyphinated Phaedra-Vesper, all together it just looks a mess(sorry) and yes dear, if you like the name it is your baby and you are most certainly allowed to do that.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Keep it two names. She can always be called by her full name, it's fine. And she can have more than two middle names.

Yes, you can insist at school as to what she will be called, especially since that will be what she is called at home.  

Answer 10

Why don't you want any negative comments? It is just a heads up what your child will be getting in school  daily.  

Answer 11

I think its more likely she will be called by both names if they are hyphenated. However if you really do not like it that way don't do it.