Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Why have a middle name?

43 replies

ScotsLassDownSouth · 29/08/2008 14:31

It's just a thought, really . . . my two DS don't have middle names - just first name followed by surname. There are a few reasons - our surname is also a boy's name, choosing one name was hard enough, I didn't really see the need to use "family" names, I have never used my middle name, etc . . . I did quite fancy using my maiden name as a middle name (fairly common amongst Scots) but DH vetoed it . . .

I saw a list of full names at younger DS's school once and noticed that he was the only one out of 30 kids who didn't have (at least!) one middle name - fortunately, he doesn't seem too traumatised by it .

Am I weird?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Califrau · 29/08/2008 16:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Blu · 29/08/2008 16:27

I have no middle name, neither has DS.
Didn't feel the need - I think we saw giving DS both our surnames as an alternative to a middle name.

cuppachar · 29/08/2008 16:16

I don't have a middle name, and always wanted one as a child. Everyone assumed I must have an embarrassing middle name I didn't want to admit to!

I had a very unusual maiden name, but when I got married I took on a very common surname, so I again wish I had a middle name, just to make my full name a bit more distinctive, if that makes sense.

beanieb · 29/08/2008 15:42

I don't have a middle name, nor does my OH. However I will give any daughter I have a middle name as I plan to use my dads name (He died) and think it may be a bit out there for a first name.

nooonit · 29/08/2008 15:40

I grew up without a middle name and felt quite deprived. My Mum and Dad always joked they couldn't afford a middle name as well.

My DDs both have my surname as their middle name which I like - even if they get married they will still have a part of me, IYSWIM.

frankiesbestfriend · 29/08/2008 15:32

DH and I had difficulty ageeing on dds name, so he chose her first name and I chose her middle name.

lastboxoftampons · 29/08/2008 15:21

FA - totally agree with you on the 'secret' part - it's fun!

And thanks about my name...but you know, it gets shortened to LBOT and that's quite difficult to pronounce...

FlightAttendent · 29/08/2008 15:08

Lastbox is a perfectly nice, normal name my dear.

FlightAttendent · 29/08/2008 15:07

I like the idea of giving them a sort of secret bit, that they can choose to keep quiet about or share with friends. It's like adding another factor, another colour to the painting (mind you I do that weird colours=letters thing, so they look very pretty in my brain!!!)

Also good fun can be had, normal first name, boring second name that means something to you ie your Dad's name etc.

Or boring, sensible first name with unusual hidden middle name! (So Mummy an exercise her arty farty side without causing embarrassment)

katiechops · 29/08/2008 15:02

DH couldn't actually remember DD's middle name the other day when filing in a form. She's only two and it seemed like such an important decision when she was born. Just goes to show how often it gets used!

lastboxoftampons · 29/08/2008 14:59

My brother and I don't have middle names. I feel slightly cheated. Especially since my first name was torn to bits on this board earlier in the week

ErnestTheBavarian · 29/08/2008 14:57

my 1st 2 have, my 2nd 2 haven't. I don't have 1 either and have always liked not having one. Mind you, 1st name is diabolical.

CuckooSplodgeandTubs · 29/08/2008 14:43

ps, don't think you're weird for NOT bothering. Your choice. But I see the point of MNs.

CuckooSplodgeandTubs · 29/08/2008 14:42

Well, I was delighted to be able to use my parents' names in the middle slots. Wouldn't have chosen them for the first position though!

I couldn'g get my name on google gmail, but when I entered my middle initial, I could get an email address that was ME. Iykwim.

Also, it helps narrow down searches done by banks etc.. and decreases the likelihood of being confused with another Elizabeth Smith. (eg)

Majeika · 29/08/2008 14:41

My boys both have 2 middle names.

DS1's is Anthony after my Dad and Stiva after Dh's brother.

DS2's is Luca after DH and Italo after DH's grandad.

The names flow quite nicely and I think it is flattering to family to have children named after them. It really meant a lot to my Dad.

dont see the point in having a random middle name tbh.

pootlepod · 29/08/2008 14:38

No, it's not weird.

Personally I do like having a middle name as it feels more proper when you tell them off. (MY DC have 2 middle names so it's even better in a stern voice).

skidaddle · 29/08/2008 14:38

My DC don't have middle names either - just never thought it was necessary. I have four middle names and HATE it when I have to rattle them all off when form-filling etc.

DH was against giving ours middle names because their first names are quite unusual and he didn't want to give them the opportunity to change to their middle names!

Katw3kitts · 29/08/2008 14:34

No you are not.

Or at least I dont think so.

Cant really see the point of middle names myself.

Swipe left for the next trending thread