DS has 2 middle names... should DC2 have 2 middle names too?

[hattee]

DS has 2 middle names - our chosen first and middle names didn't go well together so we inserted an extra name to help with the flow.

I'd prefer to give future DCs one middle name, but is this likely to cause problems of the "why have I only got one middle name when x has 2" variety?" in the future?

[FaintlyMacabre]

We are about to have this dilemma. DS has my maternal grandmother's maiden name as an extra middle name. It is an unusual but legitimate boy's name.
Now we are expecting DC2. Does a boy get 1) the same extra name? 2)My paternal grandmother's maiden name (not so nice but still just usable? 3)just one middle name?

And I have no idea what to do it it's a girl!

In your case, I would probably go for just 1 middle name and give exactly the explanation you have if it ever comes up. It probably will, children seem to have very scrupulous notions of 'fairness'

[CaurnieBred]

My (older) sister has two middle names and I only have one and it always bugged me, so I would say, yes - do for one what you do for the other!

[Marioandluigi]

My DS1 only has one middle name, while DS2 and DD both have two. DS1 is always moaning about only having one, so I would definately give two if your first DC has two.

[cece]

yes

[JulesJules]

Yes, I think your dc2 should have 2 as well. My dds have both got 2 middle names, as they both have a family surname as a second middle name.

[hattee]

All 3 names are quite short (1 2 and 1 syllables), and possible names for DC2 are longer (Benjamin and Sophia are currently top), if this makes any difference?

[pippel]

yes I have never got over the fact my sister has a middle name and I dont

[Binkster]

I agree. My sister and I only have 1 middle name and my brother has 2 (last child). I was always so jealous of that as a child (still am!)

[bellissima]

I'm afraid I agree with the others. But don't get too traumatised by the 'choosing'. Frankly i can't understand why people get so wound up about middle names when they would be hard-pressed to state those of either their friends or their children's friends. Why not use some family names - go on, please Great Auntie Sue/Pamela/Belinda...

[bellissima]

Or indeed Great Uncle Fred!

[MarthaFarquhar]

I would say yes. Oldest sister has a middle name, middle sister and I do not. Whilst I know that this is completely irrational, not to mention childish, I have always been jealous that she has something that I don't have .

[Besom]

I have one and my brother has two. I can't say it ever bothered me even slightly.

My middle name is a bit bizarre though so maybe that was more of an issue for me.

[gingerbunny]

i don't have a middle name and both my brothers have one, it has never bothered me.

[campion]

DS1 2 names, DS2 3 names - mainly to avoid confusion with same initials as me ( I had same problem with my mum and found it annoying).

Has never been a problem. DS1 has always looked for any ' unfairness' but has never mentioned this!

[hattee]

It's good to hear from people who have never found this to be a problem! DH and I are both quite competitive people and so expect our DCs to be the same - but hopefully over more important things than the number of names they have

To be honest, I don't even like DS's second name that much - DH does though. If anything I'd expect DS to grow up cursing us for saddling him with his second name, and wishing that he only had the 2 names - even if they don't flow that well

[jasper]

Nah, do what you like.