Ethnic sounding names

[isoldereverie.livejournal.com]

If you have an ethnic last name does that mean there are some first names you shouldn't use? I think some ethnic sounding first names clash terribly with certain last names. For some reason Paul Nguyen doesn't bother me yet Conner Sanchez sounds really odd and out of place to me. I saw a little girl that had a Japanese first name and what I thought to be a Greek last name and that seemed clunky to me as well. 

Do you guys think your last name's origin somewhat determines your list of possible first names? What are some other combinations you have heard that were okay or seemed weird?

Comments

[th3-unicorn.livejournal.com]

yes, it does seem weird, but if it reflects the child's heritage, then I guess it's ok.
For example, Connor Sanchez, maybe his father is hispanic, while his mother is Irish. That would fit, although the names do clash in my mind.

[lovablemess.livejournal.com]

Eh, I don't think it's a big deal either way. I have a very Italian last name, and my first name comes from the Old Testament, traditionally a Jewish name. I confuse people a lot, but it doesn't really matter.

[sloane-hd.livejournal.com]

I have a Dutch last name but my first name is English and most of the names I like are English too. I don't want my children to go through the same thing I did, I always have to repeat my name numerous times before people remember it or learn how to pronounce it. My first and last name don't really flow well together.
And it also depends on whether I marry a Brit or a Belgian bloke.

[ber-waves-of.livejournal.com]

Interesting question. My husband and I have been arguing over which of our last names we should give our son. It's kind of a long story, but I did not change my name when we got married. So I have a VERY american sounding name, and my hubby is Mexican/Puerto Rican so his name is ethnic sounding. The first name that we've chosen for our son is not a Hispanic name, so he thinks it doesn't sound right with his last name. I disagree. I don't know which last name we will end up using, but we better decide soon because I'm due in 10 days!

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

Heehee. I hope you didn't like Belle and Red as first names. :)

I think Pepper is a great last name. You are right - it sounds good with a lot of names.

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I have said it before and I will say it again. Pepper is a fantastic last name! :D Bell Peppers are my favorite food in the whole entire world (not kidding. That's what I would pick to eat if I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life and survive), and pepper the spice is a go-to fantastic flavor-maker.

I would love the last name Pepper. :DDDD!!!!

Not saying b/c I don't think you like it - just saying because I love it!

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

Aw - I am so sorry about Belle! My S.O. and I both really like the name Finn, but I had to gently let him know that it probably would work out because his last name is Griffin.

Exotic names can make great middle names though... :)

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

I would be so tempted to do that if I were you. I think it is really cute.

[solagirl.livejournal.com]

PS I love the name Josephine.

[omfg----hxc.livejournal.com]

It depends. I pretty much agree w/ the things you said...
My dad wanted to name me Anthony if I was a boy and I have a very Italian last name and my mom thought it sounded way too Italian.

[bornto-fly.livejournal.com]

I think it depends on how ethnic the last name is. A name that is VERY easily recognizable as Hispanic (Sanchez, Cruz, Lopez, etc.) would probably sound really weird when paired with a name that is very obviously a totally other culture, like Jacques Sanchez or Connor Sanchez, like you mentioned. But there are also both first AND last names that aren't easily recognizable as any specific ethnicity, so I don't think it matters.

[rojostressa.livejournal.com]

Kind of off topic, but I dated a Paul Nguyen for 4 years, haha.
On topic, he's the only one in the family with an "American" name, out of all his cousins, etc.

[nobodynomore.livejournal.com]

I have a French first name and a Japanese last name.
And I'm a 20 year old Irish girl :P

The names just have to flow, they don't have to match "ethnicities" or what have you.

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I was just going to comment that I know a Kana Lefebvre (Japanese and French) when I saw your post. I think it sounds nice together, actually.

[nobodynomore.livejournal.com]

I was adopted by my step-dad (who is Japanese) when I was little, and my first name, Aimee, sounds better with my current last name than it did with my previous one.

[aquilinum.livejournal.com]

My surname is a VERY, VERY rare variant of a Dutch/Germanic name, but it's so strange (though short and phonetic) that nobody who doesn't HAVE the name can place its origin. It's a curse and a blessing, in that every name sounds like it's of a different ethnicity but it'd be silly to try to match something to it.

[unbakedbrownie.livejournal.com]

I have a French first name and a Spanish last name. It feels weird after having my French maiden name for so long. XD

[krisology.livejournal.com]

I was adopted by a Hispanic father when I was 4, so my name is kind of weird. I have your typical American first name and then the Hispanic Trevino. It was always a pain for me to have to explain first, the pronunciation, then, where the name came from, and no, I am not Hispanic, my dad adopted me so I got his name.

Thank goodness I got married and now have an ...Englishish last name. Even if it gets spelled wrong all the time, it is never weird to explain :)

[easter.livejournal.com]

My fiance has a very ethnically Italian last name. The Welsh names I'd thought about for future children just sound silly with it as first names. May keep them as middle names though.