Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To remove a sentimental middle name from baby’s birth certificate?

34 replies

ashhhhh2 · 31/08/2026 19:36

I had a baby a little while ago and to appease family I included a middle name in remembrance of my deceased dad that I didn’t really want to. She now has 2 middle
names. Would it be really awful of me to remove it? Like removing him? Or is it a non event? Everyone says middle names don’t matter but it matters to me so surely if they matter so little it shouldn’t matter if i remove it if that makes sense? Just wondering if I’m awful if it take it out!

OP posts:
DPotter · 31/08/2026 19:44

I'm not sure you would be able to - have done a little digging around and there are mentions of changing a first name following a baptism. If it's possible it has to be within 12 months.

I suggest you contact the local register office and ask.

If they can't change, don't worry - I have 2 middle names but offical organisations such as banks rarely use my first name plus 2 middle names, I just get first & one middle. So you could just give the baby's first name and the middle you prefer

IdaGlossop · 31/08/2026 19:42

For the sake of your child, leave it. One day, they may be interested to learn of the family link.

PurpleMarshmallowSky · 31/08/2026 19:42

I’d look into if this is going to cause a hassle for your child long term, having to prove their name change with extra documents and always having to explain it. Worth considering.

BlueMum16 · 31/08/2026 19:42

It's only a piece of paper.

Like PP said when you order a passport just drop it. My middle name isn't in my passport or driving licence

Sirzy · 31/08/2026 19:41

It seems like a lot of hassle for something that will never be used. You don’t even need to tell him he has two middle names if it bothers you that much!

Original poster
ashhhhh2 · 31/08/2026 19:41

I just don’t like the way it sounds. I do have pnd so questioning my judgement over everything if that makes

OP posts:
ALovelyPinkUnicorn · 31/08/2026 19:40

If it means nothing leave it, or are you removing it to make a point?

ClearlyNoIdea · 31/08/2026 19:40

Middle names are a non event in my opinion. You don't go around shouting John Joe Patrick William O'Brien at all times. If you really want to remove it then do so for whatever your reasons are but I would think it's not worth the hassle. When you child gets their passport if they havent got one already it's generally only John Joe O'Brien that goes on it unless you want them all on it.

Warmlight1 · 31/08/2026 19:39

She's your child and you can do what you want. But, it's likely to make very little difference because unless she really likes it it won't surface very often at all. Mostly just on passport applications.

Swipe left for the next trending thread