New trend takes Australia by storm as parents ditch traditional surnames
Would you give your child a ‘mashed-up’ surname?
By That's Life
November 18 2019
A new baby naming trend is on the rise as parents begin to opt for blended surnames.
The unusual fad, which sees two parents combining their surnames, is becoming a popular choice for many people.
And statistics show hyphenated last names may become a thing of the past, with parents opting for more unusual monikers.
Sydney couple Courtney Cassar and Laura Sheldon announced they had chosen to combine their last names for their new baby girl Lyla Casseldon.
The new parents said some friends were surprised by the choice, while others asked if it was legal.
Mr Cassar told Daily Mail Australia: “We were excited to give Lyla a blended name because it means it comes from both of our families instead of one, and now her last name tells a story.”
He said they debated the mashed-up surname for a long time before their daughter was born.
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And it seems the couple are not alone in getting creative with their child’s name.
According to figures from the New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, the number of children sharing the same surname as both parents has dropped dramatically.
Instead, parents are exploring different alternatives, such as blended or double-barrelled surnames.
The amount of children with a name not related to either parent has more than doubled over the last twenty years.
But the statistics have sparked a debate among parents as to whether the tradition of naming a child after the father is coming to an end.
Originally published as New trend takes Australia by storm as parents ditch traditional surnames
