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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

How many syllables are too many?

41 replies

diddlediddle · 06/09/2019 08:20

Trying to decide between one or two middle names. The options (syllables in names - surname is two syllables) are:

3 4 2
3 2 4 2

I know lots of people will think two middle names is excessive. But is it though?? I love the second middle name option and I want to stick it in even though it makes the name long! Will it really matter??

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MikeUniformMike · 06/09/2019 11:39

3 4 2 is something like Annabel Elizabeth Roberts
3242 is something like Annabel Louise Elizabeth Roberts

I think it depends on the names
Try the names out.
Bear in mind that the child will mainly be known as Firstname Surname or NN Surname.
Annabel Roberts
Anna Roberts.

Substitute the names with your selection, and consider any word that the initials form - in this case, A L E Roberts/ALER or A E Roberts/AER.

MissHenty · 06/09/2019 11:29

I’ve only recently found out what my husbands middle name is! We’ve been together 10 years. I only know the middle name of about 1 of my closest friends from school. No one cares about middle names. Just do whatever you want it will have no impact

Frith2013 · 06/09/2019 10:08

DS1 - 2 2 2

DS2 - 2 2 2

At least I’m consistent! I’ve never given it thought before and no one will know your child’s middle name.

I’m 3 1 1 !

Original poster
diddlediddle · 06/09/2019 10:07

See none of these names are as long as 3242! I'm also thinking about the people saying they often drop their second middle name for forms. That seems a shame if I prefer the one that would go second

OP posts:
IsobelRae23 · 06/09/2019 09:48

Ds1- 1 2 1 1

Ds 2- 2 2 1 1

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 06/09/2019 08:36

I’ve never done this before, it’s quite fun 😀

Ds1 - 341 = 8
Ds2 - 3131 = 8
Ds3 - 1221 = 6

Ds1 hasn’t even noticed he doesn’t have two middle names like the others 😂

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 06/09/2019 08:32

Tha amount of times they’ll say their name, or even write it, is so small it’s not worth the effort of worrying about it. Just go with the names you like best.

BEDinhalfanhour · 06/09/2019 08:32

Inc surname is

1
3
3
1

BEDinhalfanhour · 06/09/2019 08:31

My DD is

1
3
3

No one ever asks though

Original poster
diddlediddle · 06/09/2019 08:30

OH thinks 3242 is too many. I think more is more!

OP posts:
TequilaMockingbird0 · 06/09/2019 08:30

I really wouldn't worry. Our kids have two middle names and the second one doesn't get used other than on official forms etc really. We just had so many names we liked and saw it as an opportunity to put something a bit more unusual in there, but never once considered it was too many syllables!

Original poster
diddlediddle · 06/09/2019 08:30

Maybe I am 😅

OP posts:
shoobidoos · 06/09/2019 08:29

You're really overthinking this Grin

LarkDescending · 06/09/2019 08:29

For what it is worth I was briefly a 2 2 4 2 until my mother got bored writing all the names out, so ended up 2 4 2 which I am perfectly content with.

Original poster
diddlediddle · 06/09/2019 08:29

But it's a bit of a mouthful isn't it? But you think that doesn't matter?

OP posts:
LarkDescending · 06/09/2019 08:26

Honestly I don’t think anyone goes through life worrying about the number of syllables in their combined names. It really doesn’t matter.

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