Middle name Ernest (DH family tradition)

I personally don't like Ernest and would also suggest a second middle name of your choosing. DH is insisting on Mary as a middle name if we have a girl (after his nan). I really don't like the name but I know it's important to him. So we will add a second middle name.

My son's third name (we have two mn) is Ernesto. It really doesn't bother me - it's only seen on his passport. Apparently it's the first name of some really important (to my DH) footballer.

Just to clarify, by naming him Samuel John Ernest Surname, he would probably usually be referred to as Samuel John Surname on bank records and medical records etc.
That's what has happened to me. Unfortunately for me, it's the first middle name that I hate the most! Ha ha!

I actually love it! Samuel Ernest is gorgeous!

You could always give him another middle name between Samuel and Ernest. For example, Samuel John Ernest. I have two middle names and the second middle name is frequently left off 'official' documents like medical letters etc. The same is true of my daughter. So it would likely happen to your son too.

It only really needs to appear on hood passport. After that he can drop it if he chooses.

My middle names are pretty dire and i got teased (in a humorous way) by my friends at school, but I chose to tell them to them! No one made me. And it really hasn't affected me at all having these names. If anything i love that i am named after two women who were very important to my mum.
My children have 2 middle names too, named after grandparents and great grandparents. And they're not names I would have chosen myself but i love that they are a tribute to their heritage.

I agree OP, it's awful.

I couldn't and wouldn't give a child a name I hated, even for a middle name. It's important to me that I like the sound of the whole name, and not particularly important to honour family members.

But will a horrible middle name affect a child? I don't think so. My brother has a hideous family middle name that our DF insisted on and it has never bothered him. And it really is hideous, it's worse than Ernest!

I think it's one of those old names which are going to be viewed in a different light from the Ernie shortenings of the 70s and around then.

I like Samuel Ernest. It sounds solid, grounded and wholesome, but with potential to be a renegade or maverick if he chooses to be
It's a name transcending fashion, which he can make his own.

Think Hemingway or Shackleton rather than the comedic milkman who's virtually forgotten now.

I certainly don't think it's a name that'd be regarded as odd or old fashioned amongst his peers.

Well "The importance of being Ernest" is a wonderful play so I have soft spot for the name.

Samuel Ernest also sounds fantastic!

My DC do have middle names but they are rarely used so it's not going to bother him in future life.

Why not give him two middle names if you have another name you like as well.

We have Ernie as a middle name for ds2. It was in honour of an Ernest.

I quite like it, but that's not the point - you don't.

Traditions are all very well, but they should be flexible enough to allow for change too IMO, and to allow you to choose names you both like.

My 8 yr old has Ernest as his middle name! It's after dhs grandad and dh has it as a middle name too. I'm glad its got so much positive feedback on this thread.

I wouldn't worry about it OP. I don't think anyone except family is aware of ds middle name at all.

I think it's quite nice and I like family middle names. I think giving a second middle name to 'dilute' it if you really dislike it is the best solution as a pp has suggested.

I love it, I might be a little biased as my DS2's middle name is Ernest. I think it's a really strong name for a boy and Samuel is a brilliant first name.

I love it. But realistically middle names don't matter that much. My mums family always used to do mother'S maiden name and I was quite sad it stopped with her

Ernest is lovely. I think it will be having a revival soon.

I love Ernest so wouldn't think of it as shitty. I live Samuel too. What ever name you chose some will love, some be neutral and think it's horrible. I try not to think of any name as horrid in case I come across someone with the name (what's the betting a new colleague joins?).

I like Samuel Ernest.

My Great Grandfather was Ernest and DB has it as his middle name.

I understand you don't like it but it's just his middle name so it's not something he'll use in day to day life.

Samuel Ernest is a great name!

Family names are an excellent tradition. Since it's only a middle name, I think you should use it. As others suggested, it goes well with Samuel and in addition to Samuel, you could choose a middle name you like too. My dds both have family names with 2 middle names and love hearing their connections with other relatives. Maybe choose a name from your side (your father, grandfather, uncle?) or important to you (author, artist?) to balance the stories. DD1 has a name which has been passed down 7 generations and being part of that chain bolsters her. DD2 is named for a 'famous' lady in DH's family. Her surname is still carried in other relatives' names, so she feels part of a 'clan' too.

Surely you can see the Importance of being Ernest?
:)

Samuel Ernest sounds really lovely- just conjures up a picture of a kind, handsome, gentleman

I like the two middle names idea - middle names are meant to be a bit funny or random arnt they? My dads middle name is Malcolm which always makes us laugh

Samuel Ernest is so cool!!!

Samuel Ernest is lovely.

Middle names can be completely out there. Most people they come into contact with won't have the vaguest idea about their middle name. All of mine have more unusual middle names than first (more unusual than Ernest), and it's a non-issue.

I love it! Could you dilute it a bit with two other names, so DH gets to chose the surname and Ernest and you get the first two names?

Samuel Henry Ernest Surname
Samuel James Ernest Surname

I had a really lovely Uncle Ernest, so I quite like it.
It certainly isn't a name to be ashamed, or embarrassed of.
Samuel Ernest, very nice.