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Original poster

Would it be odd for twin boys to share a middle name?

81 replies

LemonDrizzle69 · 16/08/2026 19:36

I’m currently pregnant with twin boys.
We have come up with one definite first name, the second is still an ongoing discussion!
My question is, is it odd for twins to share a middle name? They are fraternal twins and we will be keen to ensure they are treated as individuals.
Myself and my partner both so happen to have to same male ‘family’ middle name (John) Would it be strange to give them both the family middle name or should we look at maybe introducing a new middle name with meaning for one of them? If they were ‘just’ siblings, I’d be more inclined to give them both the same middle name, and although yes, they are siblings, them being born at the same time is holding me back from choosing to have them share a middle name for some reason…
What are your thoughts?

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Multiporpoise · 17/08/2026 10:54

It’s a bit odd but no more odd than all males having the same middle name down the line.
I’m all for family names but really dislike passing on the same one, particularly when it’s the males and then they get the Dad’s surname too.

onmylastnerveseriously · 17/08/2026 10:45

Whose surname are they getting? I’d choose two middle names from the other side of the family for balance rather than giving the person is passing on their surname an extra spot.

IsaacBenabram · 17/08/2026 10:39

There are other Welsh forms of John like Ifan/Efan (Evan), Iwan, Siencyn (Jenkin), Ianto.
There are Scottish ones like Iain/Ian, Ewan/Euen.
John (given name) - Wikipedia
(Owen and Eoin are not of the same origin, they just sound alike)

I don't think you need to worry about middle names unless their first names and surname are common ones.

I was at school with twins and they had the same middle name but it was a surname. One of them had a popular name and the other not - something like George Drummond Smith and Edgar Drummond Smith - and George was usually 'George Twin'. They always included the middle name. The Drummond was their grandmother's middle name and their father's, I think.

(Not the actual names)

Superfrog3 · 17/08/2026 10:35

Go for it!

For me a middle name isn't a name that is often used and normally is sentimental or for "meaning". I dont think them sharing a middle name is a big issue as long as first names are distinct. If its a "family" name i would feel bad for the twin who didnt get the important name and got a random one instead with no meaning.

If you would do it for siblings anyway then whats the harm in doing it for twins

Comeondoreen · 17/08/2026 10:30

Loads of the men and boys in my extended family have the same middle name. Very normal
ime

AIBUfamilydrama · 17/08/2026 10:25

I think do it! I know a couple of families whose boys have the same family middle name. I think it would be worse to give one of them the very special name and then the other a less special name.

sebanna · 17/08/2026 10:22

As middle names are rarely used it won't be a problem and will give them both the family connection. The first names are the important one.

raisinglittlepeople12 · 17/08/2026 10:15

I’d give them two different family names. Being twins is connection enough, they need distinct identities in all ways imo.

Cheese55 · 17/08/2026 10:13

LemonDrizzle69 · 16/08/2026 19:50

Thank you.
Yes, that’s sort of why we’re struggling for a second name! We don’t want them ‘matching’ in any way but then their names will be said together quite a bit when they’re little I imagine so they do need to flow… just not match or rhyme! 🫣

Show quote history

Are you double barrelling their surnames. If not whoever is "getting' the surname gets the other parents name as a middle name. I personally dont like naming all children after a relative who would most likely be flawed (because we all are).

Sherararara · 17/08/2026 10:08

No issue at all for shared middle names. My DH, not a twin, has the same middle name as his brother. Not something anyone has ever given any headspace to.

4Tornot4T · 17/08/2026 10:06

I think it's fine as it's a family name. Both my brothers have John as a middle name as it's a family name for us too. They aren't twins though (4 years apart in age) but no-one has commented even if they do know their middle names.
I think it's a lovely idea to use a family name and John is a classic that they could always use as a first name if they wanted to.

Jugglingeverythingbutthekitchensink · 17/08/2026 09:57

I think it's sweet. Especially as it's from both sides of their family. When they're older you can tell them the different relations they are named after

Olive567 · 17/08/2026 09:28

My siblings and i all share a middle name

AImportantMermaid · 17/08/2026 09:27

Both my kids have my surname as their middle name. We debated double barreling but it didn’t really work and so decided on this as an alternative. If you’ve kept your maiden name it also makes travel etc. much easier as the family link is clearly there.

HenriettaHippopotamus · 17/08/2026 09:24

I think it’s fine. Most people won’t even know their middle name.

AtlasCedar · 17/08/2026 09:23

LemonDrizzle69 · 16/08/2026 21:53

Clearly not. My post says we have the same male family name. The males down my Dad’s side all have the middle name John. The males down my partners side (partner included) have the middle name John too.

Show quote history

That’s not what you said. You said:

Myself and my partner both so happen to have to same male ‘family’ middle name (John).

Aka you said you both have the same middle name.

If you wanted to say the other way you’d need to say ‘the families of my partner and I both use the same male middle name’.

AtlasCedar · 17/08/2026 09:19

Mygreyhair · 17/08/2026 08:33

I’d do it. And then I’d tell them that Twin 1 was named after the paternal Johns and Twin 2 was named after the maternal Johns!

EDITED: Im wrong, realised when I read TFT

AtlasCedar · 17/08/2026 09:15

I think it’s hard enough for twins to carve out their own identity without also sharing 2/3rds of a name

pinkspeakers · 17/08/2026 09:12

At first I thought it would be odd. But I think it is different if it is a family name.
I'd be tempted to give them two middle names each. Another name plus the family name.

Hollyhobbi · 17/08/2026 09:07

MilkBreadToiletroll · 16/08/2026 19:52

What about different versions of the name, eg John in Welsh is Siôn, Ioan or Ieuan. In Irish it would be Sean.

Or Eoin in Irish too. Pronounced Owen.

MimiGC · 17/08/2026 09:03

I agree with a PP- just don’t bother with middle names at all. Dilemma averted, problem solved.

Headingforholidays · 17/08/2026 08:49

My DH family do this. One set of nieces share a middle name, the other set share a different middle name... I think it is weird and refused to do it for my daughters but it does not have any negative impact on them so doesn't really matter.

Mygreyhair · 17/08/2026 08:33

I’d do it. And then I’d tell them that Twin 1 was named after the paternal Johns and Twin 2 was named after the maternal Johns!

CeciliaMars · 17/08/2026 08:24

Yes, weird.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 17/08/2026 08:21

Give them two middle names so they get a unique one too? Make sure their first names start with different letters so they have different initials