OH wants to pay tribute in middle name - I don't like it!

What's your middle name?

I'm planning on using my middle name/or hubby's as opposed to grandparents, mostly to avoid arguments, but also because I want them to have my name, no one else's. My middle name is Marie, so it goes quite nicely with a lot of names.

It's a nice sentiment to use middle names as a tribute to someone, but only if you like the name, other wise it's a bit of a pointless gesture. (Just my opinion) it's the same reason why I decided against using my late fathers name as a first name, I love my dad, don't love his name. You don't need a name to convey how special someone is to you anyway!!

I'm going out on a limb here are saying I quite like Lilia Diane.

How do you feel about:
Lilia Paulina Diane
Lilia Frances Pauleen
Lilia Genevieve Pauleen
Lilia Eva Pauleen
Lilia Francesca Pauleen
Lilia Pauleen Frances?

We used my/my DM's/my DGM's middle name for DD1. Sort of a family tradition which I put my foot down on. But it meant acknowledging DH's side for DD2. I really didn't like the first names of anyone in his family. But thankfully we discovered his DGM has a lovely classic middle name that fits really nicely with our choice of first name.

It has the added complication of making us look like we have a thing about British royalty when you look at both DC names, which is entertaining :)

But would that be an option, would her middle name work better than Pauline for you? (Although I do like Pauline)

Does your DH actually like the name Pauline, OP? Or is it just the fact he wants to honour his gran? If it's the latter, maybe find another connection: her middle name, her surname, maybe ask her to choose the middle name?

Well, I think your Grandmas had far nicer names for starters.

I don't think it's quite right to only honour one Grandma, so for that reason alone, I'd veto Pauline (plus it's not that nice).

What was your second favourite girls name? Could use that as a middle?

I'm not keen either but she will hardly be alone in having a middle name that she hates because it's unfashionable and grannyish.

Or maybe she will be. It does seem that people don't choose family names so much now.

Now I don't know what my opinion is.

My brother and I have both have my father's name, and he has his father's. However, that's our culture and I do love the family and honor aspect about it.

However, I also believe in children being their own indivuals and that's what first names (or mn depending in whoever) are for though I'm slightly hypocritical. Not all my children are named after someone because we have 3 cultures and wanted to express that.

I see nothing wrong with it, however I do believe both parents have to compromise or come to an understanding. If you're not keen can you ask DH why he specifically wants your child to have Grandmother's name?

I too was going to suggest Paulette. It's nice. I don't actually mind. Pay keen though tbf.

My DC love to know why we picked their names. They are fascinated by having middle names that belonged to other people my DH and I considered special.

I think middle names are for honouring/tradition, and first names for picking something you like as a "new" name to be passed on - perhaps in the future to new generations.

Don't change the spelling, though.

I think Pauleen is lovely for a middle name. That is what a middle name is for, imo - it should have meaning. I can't stand placeholder names.

But for goodness' sake, if you go with it don't change the spelling. If it's not the same spelling then I can't even see how it is honouring the person. It just seems bizarre.

DD's middle name is a name I don't really like (not a terrible name but reminds me of a horrible girl in school) but it's DH's mum's name and she was very sick when DD was born and passed away a few months later. I think it's lovely that even though DD won't remember her she has a part of her.

middle names are completely and utterly pointless really so why not give them a purpose and use a family name? especially if it means something to your DH

Frances is lovely,

Lila Frances Pauline sounds fine.

Lilia Frances is nice or Lilia Genevieve. Both lovely.

Agree with PPs about Lilia Belle - it sounds a bit cartoony for my tastes.

I don't get the whole 'nobody uses the middle names anyway' argument. We use DD's all the time! Whenever we're joke telling her off we use her full name, or sometimes we make up silly rhymes and songs and add in extra silly names like 'biscuitface' or 'chubber'. All her grandparents use it too when they're messing about. It might just be because her full name scans quite well so it's pleasing to say and has a nice rhythm. But I've noticed lots of people I know using their childrens' MNs too - they must do, as most kids I know (and there are a lot!) I also know their MNs. So I really wouldn't want mine to have one I didn't like, as people would think it was my taste!

Paula
Pauletta
Paulina

any of those instead of Pauline? Can your dh find out if she has another name so you have another option or could you use her maiden name or surname instead?

When we were expecting DC1 hubby's wind-up girls name was Pauline. So I really do not like that name one teeny little jot! However, Both my DC have either a first or middle name which honours a family member & I believe this is a beautiful thing to do IF you're both in agreement.

Prefer Lilla Pauleen to Lilla Belle but think Lilla and Alba are both not very nice anyway.

I don't like the name Pauline in itself, but Lilia Pauline sounds nice I think. Genevieve is lovely, eve/evie are too, but the latter is quite popular.

I think middle names should only be there after people/for a reason. It's odd to me that people want to choose the second name too. You get one! Middle names are never used anyway. It's always flowery little baby names like Rose, May or Lily anyway that ruin perfectly good strong first names!

I love Genevieve...it's a great name. Pauline really pales next to it.

Greek names! Fantastic seam you've got there to explore:-

Hero
Artemis
Athena
Hera
Gaia
Electra
Helen
Persephone
Leda
Hermione
Althea
Delphine
Penelope
Pelagia
Arianna
Eleni
Petra

Lots more lovely Greek names out there, but I must sleep now

In my heart, I would say, "Hey! It's just a middle name and you can drop it if you like!" but I have probably the ugliest name known to mankind as my middle name and it's been the bane of my life. I would get teased as a teenager (people would call me by my middle name instead of my first name). I said it in my wedding vows and I heard my friends snigger fgs!

I now don't admit to having it although, weirdly, I do sign my signature as my first two initials and then my surname. I don't think Pauline is anywhere near as bad as my middle name, but I don't think you should presume that your child won't be bothered by an ugly middle name. Can you give her 3 names so she drop it altogether if she hates it?!

Auch, feel bad for you, everyone shitting on Lila Belle! But it's with good reason- in 50 years time it'll seem as dated as Pauline is now.

I think Lena or Paulina are your best options if your DP insists on it. I personally don't like using filler names and prefer to have some form of a connection. Do you and DP have a special place, favourite holiday destination? Come on, gis a theme to work with!