What are this person’s initials?

[propterhoc]

I’ve bought someone a personalised item for Christmas but DH thinks I’ve got their initials wrong. Help.

The name is (well, it isn’t) Amy Beatrix Clarke-Daniels.

I think the initials are ACD or ABCD.

DH thinks they should be AC or ABC.

Who’s right?

AC-D or ABC-D.
I'm double-barrelled and use the former when initialling anything.

I tend to use ABC or AC, the same as before I was married.

But I think that ABCD/ACD is more common.

I have a hyphenated first name and both parts are equally my name so both initials are important. I wouldn't be impressed if someone didn't use it just as I am not when someone calls me by just one part of my name.

So for example say my name was ginky-pig smith my initials would be G.P.S

My brother doesn't have a hyphen but he does have two middle names and his initials reflect that so Adam john buddy smith would be A.J.B.S (not his name!)

You're right. The hyphenated surname should be treated the same as a single surname, including the middle name is personal choice.

ACD

Not everyone would necessarily agree that the middle names need to be included though.

I'd say ABCD or ACD

ABCD

A C-D or A B C-D

If the surname is hyphenated then I'd include both parts of it.
I wouldn't include middle names. depending on what you're putting initials on as it could look messy if it's long.
If it's to be embossed/stamped on a personalised gift I think it looks nicer with 3 initials so I'd put ACD.

Or you could perhaps do it with a dot and put A.CD depending what you're putting it on

ACD, B can be used or dropped.

ACD.

But then again my daughter is eg. ABCD and i usually put AC

ACD or ABCD I would never drop one of the double barrelled names as more likely to cause offence than including it in error.

ACD or ABCD incl. middle name
Your husband is wrong

you are 100% right and your DH is 100% wrong.

ABC-D

ABC-D

That's how I would write my initials for my double-barrelled surname

ABC would have been wrong for a lot of people I know who have double barrels, including the XFIL - they use the second part.

General convention at work is for a DB first name, you use both unless told otherwise, then if you don't know their preferred convention, both second initials. So A-B C-D, then, and, if they use one or the other, A-B C or A-B D.

You are right. You can drop the B but not the C or D.

ACD.