Middle name: A 'normal' name (Sean or Dean) or an unusual one (Griffin)

[ceebie]

I LOVE not having a middle name, and would prefer not to give middle names to our children. However, DH loves middle names and so I have agreed to giving DS one.

DS's first name is Ryan and we are thinking maybe Sean or Dean for the middle name. HOWEVER, these names seem meaningless and pointless to me.

Another option is to use my mother's maiden name: Ryan Griffin. I do a lot of family history research, and it has been quite common to use maiden names from previous generations as middle names for offspring. The Griffin family history is really interesting. Also, the Griffin is a pretty cool mythical creature. HOWEVER, middle names shouldn't be embarrassing - and I rather think Griffin could be an embarrassing middle name to have. So, will DS be made fun of if his middle name is Griffin? (I rather suspect I know the answer to this...).

So, there you go. Ryan Sean, Ryan Dean or Ryan Griffin?

Griffin! Always go for the outlandish middle name; he can always ignore/change it.

Griffin. Absolutely! I really like it, and it's got a meaning for you, him, and the family. But why would he get teased about his middle name? He doesn't ever have to tell anyone he's got it.

which is why my DS's middle name is Alaric

As your ds has a fairly mainstream first name I don't see why you couldn't use Griffin. Ryan Dean for some reason makes me think of the Peal and Dean music (for film advertising I think). But I really like middle names :)

Griffin! Very cool. Middle names are deigned to let parents' weird/wild sides out!

*designed

Griffin is really nice, unusual but not weird.

Griffin is brilliant. Love it, love it.

Griffin is cool. Dean is chav.

Love Griffin its fab.

Like the tradition too...my mum's older sister has their mum's maiden name as a middle name (Dixon) and so has her daughter, and her daughter etc!

And I love middle names...I'm the only one who has one and although my brother isn't bothered,I think my sister is a little bit jealous

Griffin is amazing!! Really like that it's got some special meaning to it!

Griffin. I know someone who has this as a first name and he loves it.

Definitely go with Griffin. I have an unusal middle name 'Tace' which is cornish and I always get lots of lovely comments about it. Similarly, if I hated it, I wouldn't need to tell anyone. Be brave and go for it!

Ryan Dean sounds too like Brian Deane (ex Sheff Utd and Leeds Utd footballer, lovely man!) for me.

I wouldn't ever advocate using a name that is meaningless to you. I also don't think the tease factore should put anyone off a name they love.

It isn't a name I find particularly beautiful but if it has a strong family connection for you and you like it, I would definitely go with your third option

I think Griffin is great! Definitely use it!

i think Griffin is a great name.
when we were camping last year the little boy in the next tent was called Griffin

Oh, I see the new Welsh zeitgeist has well and truly reached its peak! Are we finally out with the Irish/Scots and in with the Welsh?

Griffin is nice and at least it has some kind of relevance to you. Sean is nice, safe slightly boring name too but Dean is HEINOUS. Don't pick it. Please. For the love of God, no.

It just conjours up images of a smarmy 1980's estate agent in a polyester suit and white socks.

Absolutely Griffin -- fab name with real meaning.

I don't like Griffin at all, it reminds me off odd creatures and gruff voices.

Dean and Sean both OK.

Goodness, Dean - now there's a name you never hear these days!

Not a fan I have to say!!

Go for Griffin

Wow, thanks everyone, not at all the response I was expecting!!! I didn't think Griffin would get such positive comments! And Dean has definitely been ruled out...

HillyWallaby my family are Irish Griffins, not Welsh ones - sorry to disappoint!

Thank you all for your comments!