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Baby names

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

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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?

OP posts:

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LilyLemonade · 16/08/2026 23:10

I think it's fine for them to both have John as a middle name. It's a bit unusual but not full-on weird. It's a nice thing for them to share.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 16/08/2026 22:54

I got most of the way through this thread before realising that my three kids all share a middle name (my surname). TIL this moment I have not thought about it being weird. They do each have a middle name of their own though. The younger two (5 and 7) dont really know their middle names and occasionally ask me to remind them.

all of which is to say, I expect it will be fine. If there is a middle name that dad, grandad etc all have you can’t give it to one and not the other

Canadanian · 16/08/2026 22:25

LemonDrizzle69 · 16/08/2026 19:44

Of course we are aware of that. As I said, if they were siblings born 5 years apart for example, they would share the family middle name.
Them being born at the same time is all that is stopping us. More that I want to try and do as much as possible to stop the world treating them like a pair of people.
It’s not like the middle names will be used regularly but obviously they are still part of their names.

Show quote history

I’m a twin.

I know you recognise they’ll be individuals and you sound very thoughtful about it. However, especially when they’re young, you’ll have a little uphill battle again teachers and friends and family who will very much think of them (and call them) ‘the twins’ etc.

I think whenever you have an option to give them something all of their own (eg a middle name!), then take it!

DoreenCorkhill · 16/08/2026 22:23

All my children have the same middle name - it’s my maiden name . We decided not to do double barrel surnames but all the kids have my surname as a middle name (which I use professionally but not in ‘real life’ )So I don’t find this idea particularly problematic .

Mumoftwoteenagers · 16/08/2026 22:22

concertinacornflake · 16/08/2026 21:27

Yes this. Just look up all the variations of John and pick two. Don't give either of them John.

Show quote history

This. Give one of them Sean and one Jack.

RedToothBrush · 16/08/2026 22:19

ValerieValeraaaa · 16/08/2026 19:50

I'd give them three names with one in common.

This is the easy solution.

Then it's obvious it's a family name.

DrivingMissDozy · 16/08/2026 22:16

My brothers share the same second middle name. It’s never been an issue, I think it’s lovely.

Gloriousgardener11 · 16/08/2026 22:14

PrettyLittleRose · 16/08/2026 21:27

Why on earth are middle names an embarrassment? Unless it's a ludicrous name! And a waste of time? ???

Odd comments!

@LemonDrizzle69 I think giving them the same middle name is odd. That's just my opinion. I would think it strange if someone told me they had done this.

Show quote history

Because middle names are often those of older relatives, such as grandparents.
Maybe it’s my generation but nearly every one of my age has a middle name they don’t like because it’s old fashioned or just awful… this is my experience!

Daffodilsinthespring · 16/08/2026 22:11

As long as they don’t have the same initial for their first name, go for it.

if possible, I think I would spell them differently - John and Jon maybe.

my friend gave her first son the family name and not her second son. The second son has now added it to his name (he’s an adult)

Pollypocket9876 · 16/08/2026 22:08

Mum of twin boys, also found it very hard to pick names, they both have family names as middle names but not the same. It also took us a good 24hrs to decided which names for which too. My boys are also fraternal and look completely different, different hair colour and complexions. I always feared they would be compared and treated as 1.
are you going for traditional first names?

TofuTuesday · 16/08/2026 22:03

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

i don’t think that’s very clear at all.

CarotidFartery · 16/08/2026 21:56

RappelChoan · 16/08/2026 19:57

I’d give them each two middle names-

first name second name John Surname

Me too

I gave all my children 2 middle names and just saw it as a great opportunity to have more choices!

Original poster

LemonDrizzle69 · 16/08/2026 21:53

TofuTuesday · 16/08/2026 21:40

You’re female with a middle name of John? That’s already slightly unusual so I would say crack on and give the name to both boys, especially if your partner is also name John surname.

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.

OP posts:

RomainsCalmish · 16/08/2026 21:50

If it’s a family name I think it’s absolutely fine to give them the same middle name. Or use it as an additional name.

So Methuselah Nebuchadnezzar John Smith and Romulus Malcolm John Smith absolutely ok.

Pinkissmart · 16/08/2026 21:48

Surely you can find another name? The male version of a female relative?

IsaacBenabram · 16/08/2026 21:48

Why don't you call one of the twins John as a first name.
Give them a shared middle name like a nice surname from your side of the family.

caringcarer · 16/08/2026 21:45

If it's a middle name no one will use it or care so go for it if it makes you both happy.

tealandteal · 16/08/2026 21:45

Growing up I knew a family where all the siblings had the same middle name regardless of gender. What about two middles names? Then it’s individual name individual name John surname.

IsaacBenabram · 16/08/2026 21:42

Mine. Not ludicrous or awful but dated, seasonal and the first forename.

The full name is something like Noelle Jessica Plates, known as Jess/Jessica all my life.

I've never used it other than on official documents, I hate being called it and curse my parents for it . WTF were they thinking?

TofuTuesday · 16/08/2026 21:40

You’re female with a middle name of John? That’s already slightly unusual so I would say crack on and give the name to both boys, especially if your partner is also name John surname.

holymolybalamory · 16/08/2026 21:33

No. It’s it’s a family name it would be odd to give it to one and not the other

NuffSaidSam · 16/08/2026 21:30

It sounds mental to me! Not least because John is such a generic name it's almost not worth having! If you really need to include it then I would give it as a second middle name so that you've nodded to it, but you've also given each of them a first and middle name that you like/are meaningful to you specifically.

PrettyLittleRose · 16/08/2026 21:29

FoxandDuck · 16/08/2026 21:27

My mum has the same middle name as all of her siblings; DH and his brother have the same middle name. I think it’s fairly common. If you go on to have subsequent children, I think that they (certainly any boys) would have to have the same middle name too.

It's really 'not fairly common' at all.

I have never known anyone do this. Give all their children the same middle name.

FoxandDuck · 16/08/2026 21:27

PrettyLittleRose · 16/08/2026 21:27

Gloriousgardener11 · 16/08/2026 19:47

To be honest middle names are a waste of time at best and an embarrassment at worst so I don’t think it really matters if they have the same middle name.
How about just not giving them a middle name, makes life much simpler.

Why on earth are middle names an embarrassment? Unless it's a ludicrous name! And a waste of time? ???

Odd comments!

@LemonDrizzle69 I think giving them the same middle name is odd. That's just my opinion. I would think it strange if someone told me they had done this.

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