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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is this a really terrible idea for a middle name??

115 replies

Shouldhavereadtheinstructions · 16/05/2022 20:18

Since we had DS1 we always said that if DC2 was a girl then her middle name would be my grandma's name. She is a truly amazing woman and we would both love to do this in her honour. But of course.... We are now expecting a boy!

We have thought of alternatives and even went so far as asking my grandma if she had any favourite boys names she would choose e.g. that my grandad hadn't liked 😂but I just keep coming back to really wanting her actual name to live on. DS2 is likely to be her last great grandchild (and obviously I can't tell anyone else what to name their kid!).

Would it be truly terrible to give DS her name as a middle name anyway? It's not a super 'girly' name as she goes by a nickname. E.g. think El rather than Eleanor or Kat rather than Katherine. On the one hand I think it's be wonderful to be named after such an amazing person and for his middle name to have a story. And it's very easy not to share your middle name widely if he is anxious in certain contexts. But is he just going to get awfully teased? Does that even matter as kids will always find something to tease about??

What do you think? Does anyone have any similar experiences?

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Scabbyknackers · 16/05/2022 20:29

What's the name? Impossible to say without it. Alternatively, what about her maiden name?

HannahDefoesTrenchcoat · 16/05/2022 20:28

“A boy named Su”
(Country and Western song)

MrsTerryPratchett · 16/05/2022 20:28

It's a great idea. Why not?

DD has a family surname as a middle. Not girly, not a first name. It works and she's good with it.

Zemw · 16/05/2022 20:26

Sorry need to know the name.

Helenloveslee4eva · 16/05/2022 20:26

Depends what it is.
inhave my dads middle name as a middle name - it was his mums maiden name - a surname / boys name like Tyler or similar ( but way more identifiable 😂). Hated it till I was about 50….. now I’m even older and my dad has died I wish vaguely we’d imposed ot on at least one of ours ( both my sister and I had it As second middle name )

TheYearOfSmallThings · 16/05/2022 20:25

Use her maiden name as a middle name, rather than a female name.

Alfixnm · 16/05/2022 20:24

Well, would your husband be happy to have it as HIS middle name? Maybe he could try using it at work or somewhere public and see how he feels about it.... if he's embarrassed to introduce himself using it, I think you have your answer.

PleasantFucker · 16/05/2022 20:23

Can't say until we know the name 💁

Blowyourowntrumpet · 16/05/2022 20:23

It depends on what it is, but it sounds like a bad idea. Her memory will always live on with you, regardless of whether your son has her name

Summerholidayorcovidagain · 16/05/2022 20:22

I knew a Loris..
Boy.

mackthepony · 16/05/2022 20:22

Oh come on

Amdone123 · 16/05/2022 20:21

It's not Doris is it ? 🤣
Sorry, couldn't resist.
I think we have to know the name really !!

Qwill · 16/05/2022 20:21

In real life, nobody uses their middle names, I have no idea what any of my colleagues middle names are - and I’m close friends with them. Not even sure I could remember any of my friends middle names come to think of it. I think it’s actually better if the name is unusual and memorable!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 16/05/2022 20:21

What is the name?

DramaAlpaca · 16/05/2022 20:20

I think you're going to have to tell us the name before anyone can advise you.