[name]Hi[/name]!

I personally believe in the stair-step syllable technique for short (1) or long (3) surnames. I believe this creates the best balance and maximizes the melodic character of the name. So, for a one-syllable surname, this would mean a 3-2-1 syllabic pattern, and for a three-syllable surname, this would mean a 1-2-3 syllabic pattern.

ONE-SYLLABLE SURNAME

For example, the 3-2-1 combination of [name]William[/name] [name]Douglas[/name] [name]Jones[/name] is more balanced than the 1-2-1 combination of [name]John[/name] [name]Douglas[/name] [name]Jones[/name] or the 2-2-1 combination of [name]Arthur[/name] [name]Douglas[/name] [name]Jones[/name]. However, you can see that the 2-2-1 combination is better than the 1-2-1 combination because it is inching closer to the “ideal” 3-2-1 pattern.

THREE-SYLLABLE SURNAME

The same holds for a three-syllable surname, for which I consider the 1-2-3 syllabic pattern to be ideal. For example, the 1-2-3 combination of [name]Jane[/name] [name]Elise[/name] [name]Petersen[/name] is more balanced than the 3-2-3 combination of [name]Cecily[/name] [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Peterson[/name] or the 2-2-3 combination of [name]Peter[/name] [name]Jacob[/name] [name]Anderson[/name]. However, I prefer a 2-2-3 combination to a 3-2-3 combination simply because the latter can become a mouthful, depending on the name.

I think the 1-2-3 and 3-2-1 stair-step syllabic patterns show each name to their best advantage, allowing each name to be considered and heard. In contrast, the more syllables you add, the more each name becomes slightly muddled. Obviously, this is a broad generalization, as some “longer” names work perfectly! It is merely a matter of preference, I suppose.

TWO- OR THREE-SYLLABLE SURNAMES

In the case of a two-syllable surname, I find that matching the lowest syllable count works well (NOTE: This also works if you are unable to latch onto the 1-2-3 syllabic pattern with a three-syllable name). For example, if you love [name]Diana[/name] and your last name is [name]Cooper[/name], pick a two-syllable middle name to balance the names, such as [name]Diana[/name] [name]Florence[/name] [name]Cooper[/name]. Or, if you love [name]Charlotte[/name], and your surname is [name]Kensington[/name], choose a two-syllable middle name, such as [name]Charlotte[/name] [name]Mary[/name] [name]Kensington[/name].

TWO-SYLLABLE SURNAMES

Generally, with a two-syllable surname, I’d shy away from the 2-2-2 pattern! But, then again, my name is a 2-2-2 and it isn’t too awful. But, in general, I think it is best to mix it up with a 2-1-2 or 2-3-2 syllabic combination if you have a two-syllable surname and fall in love with a two-syllable first name. Consider the first name [name]Clara[/name] and the surname [name]Watson[/name]. [name]Clara[/name] [name]Jane[/name] [name]Watson[/name] is playful and melodic, [name]Clara[/name] [name]Beatrice[/name] [name]Watson[/name] is distinguished and sophisticated, but [name]Clara[/name] [name]Diane[/name] [name]Watson[/name] is a bit more, well, humdrum.

FOUR+ SYLLABLE SURNAMES

If your surname is four or more syllables, a combination of one- and two-syllable names is probably best, as in the case of the surname [name]Alexander[/name] (4), you might want to do something like [name]Phoebe[/name] [name]Joy[/name] [name]Alexander[/name] or [name]Claire[/name] [name]Elise[/name] [name]Alexander[/name], just to keep things simple and understated and beautifully elegant! But, then again, once you get long, you get into tricky territory when it comes to naming balance…

As I said before, it depends on the name, and it can be a matter of personal preference. But, I hope this helps someone!

[name]Lemon[/name]