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Baby names

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Original poster

Socrates as a middle name??

71 replies

newmumnewmum · 11/09/2024 11:37

Help! My husband is Greek and his father is called Socrates. It is greek tradition to name the first born son after the paternal grandfather. I have vetoed this and have compromised with it as a middle name, but still have huge reservations about using it 😑
Is it as bad as I think it is?

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CooksDryMeasure · 21/09/2024 09:46

it’s fine & meaningful for use the grandfather’s name. IMO it’s what middle names should be.

my mum dislikes her middle name (Abel) and has essentially dropped it. It’s easy to get away from middle names you don’t like.

TheChosenTwo · 15/09/2024 11:49

Well it’s quite bold but I don’t know anyone’s middle names unless I’m related to them, they’re not used and in that respect they’re a bit pointless.
So if it’s just for the purpose of appeasing the family, go ahead and use it, will be nice for him growing up to have that link but essentially the strongest link is his genetics which will be part Greek anyway.

Enko · 15/09/2024 09:23

I love it as a name.

TwigTheWonderKid · 15/09/2024 08:04

It's an excellent name!

Duckies · 15/09/2024 07:31

I think it's fab, I love unusual middle names and this one is legit because of the family connection so he can easily explain it to people if needed.

sprigatito · 13/09/2024 19:24

It's a middle name, it's fine! My first boyfriend's middle name was Huguenot 😂

Middle names can be omitted if the bearer chooses. It's the right place to put a name that's a bit more outre.

ReadWithScepticism · 13/09/2024 19:22

In honour of their Dad's family My DSs have Polish middle names -- the kind of names that would give you a maximum score in Scrabble if proper nouns were allowed.
It has never been an issue because middle names are pretty much redundant.

FeralNun · 13/09/2024 16:21

It is fabulous. Lucky boy!

VioletIsabella · 13/09/2024 16:18

Alexander Socrates is brilliant. DD has her grandmother's weird name as a middle name and it's never been an issue. If anyone remarks that it's an unusual name, she just says that it was her grandmother's name, and there's never been any negative comment after that.

Jessieshome · 13/09/2024 12:52

Alexander Socrates is a fabulous name! Lucky boy!

Great choice for a middle name and a good compromise.

lemonyellows · 11/09/2024 21:57

I like it. Love it in fact.

Have ever seen Bill and Ted though 😂

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 11/09/2024 21:49

Alexander is beautiful, international and timeless so definitely a better first name option.

I think Socrates is a great middle name to honour his family though. On the small chance other kids do find out and tease, teaching him to give a cool stare and “Actually that’s my Grandad’s name” should hopefully put them in their place. But really, who knows most people’s middle names?

ReadWithScepticism · 11/09/2024 21:43

Yes, the scrotal thing is a bit of a stretch. The main worry is that people will think OP's son teases sock rats.

Babyenroute · 11/09/2024 21:38

I think it's an amazing name, work with one and I am not Greek. Always thought his name was nice and never once thought of scrotal!!

Crispynoodle · 11/09/2024 20:19

I blumming love it!

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 11/09/2024 19:48

Who wouldn't want to be named after one of the greatest Brazilian footballers of all time?

disdisdisisgood · 11/09/2024 19:43

It's a fabulous middle name. I love it

outdamnedspots · 11/09/2024 19:29

I love it. He'd better be intelligent, though...

shoopshoopdedoo · 11/09/2024 19:26

I love it! Alexander Socrates is a great name. I think it’s important to reflect his heritage from both sides.

I agree with the PP who said that they see little point in middle names unless there is a family tradition or something, given that they are never used. My own children have slightly odd middle names to honour an (also Greek!) grandparent, and my grandmother who is extremely dear to me and whose name will never ever make a comeback. I love both of their names!

kalokagathos · 11/09/2024 19:07

Love it. One of my favourite philosophers!

Wouldhavebeenproficient · 11/09/2024 18:22

Before I read your post I would have said it was a bit wanky, but given the Greek heritage I think it's fine.

Andoutcomethewolves · 11/09/2024 18:22

I actually really like it! Surely middle names are the place to go a bit different? Far more interesting than the usual 'filler' middle names.

My middle name is ridiculous (and not in a cool way like Socrates!) but there's literally no need for anyone to know it unless it's for something official (in which case who cares) or, in my case at least, if I want to give a mate a laugh. But Socrates is a solid name anyway!

ReadWithScepticism · 11/09/2024 17:59

Oh, yes, wonderful with Alexander. I read the fabulous Mary Renault novels about Alexander the Great, the gorgeous and talented Macedonian Greek. He was tutored by Aristotle, who was tutored by Plato, who was tutored by ... Socrates!

geoger · 11/09/2024 17:59

Oceangreyscale · 11/09/2024 17:00

Oh and Damocles too.

Socrates is not the most unusual!

i know an Agathocles and an Agamemnon too both of which are more unusual than Socrates

geoger · 11/09/2024 17:54

Doltontweedle · 11/09/2024 16:53

It’s the same for us op, my little boys named sonny (Greek for wisdom) after his grandfather and has been used for unaccountable generations in my family. Interestingly when I started a thread on here about it I was absolutely torn apart to the point where I had a little cry and had to leave mn for a good while (apparently it’s ’not even a name, and I’m vile and boring with no imagination), I’m surprised Socrates is more popular than Sonny. I’d go with whatever your heart tells you to and don’t think about what people on the internet say

I didn’t realise Sonny was Greek for wisdom. I’m Greek and I’ve always known Sophia as being Greek for wisdom
what is your child’s name in Greek if you don’t mind me asking?