ZE23P01539 - [2025] EWHC 1403 (Fam)

The child is called AB C-D on his birth certificate.

The respondent wants to add her surname: H, take out one of C or D and hyphenate the first two names – she uses one and the applicants the other.

Ms Callaghan agrees with the hyphenation of the first name and suggests adding H as a middle name.

The applicants’ concern is that neither of their names is dropped.

I see the sense in hyphenating the first name – that makes each part equally important.

I can understand that the respondent wants her surname now added. I note that she did not on registration, but I have found that since that time her family have become more important to her and her self-conception. I disagree with Ms Callaghan that it should be a middle name – a middle name appears to have less importance than a last name. I do not consider it appropriate to drop either of the applicants’ names. I reach this conclusion given the decision I have made on parental responsibility and the fact that the child is already known as C-D.

While it is cumbersome I will direct that the surname be changed to the triple H-C-D.