Just curious -what makes a good first and middle name combo?

[peacefuleasyfeeling]

This is just a light-hearted question really. Every so often, and especially recently as am oogling over names for DC2, I come across a thread where posters make suggestions for first and middle name combos with such absolute certainty and conviction:

"Marjorie Rose goes."
"Allan Miles is a possibility."

For instance. Like it is totally obvious. I find myself deeply impressed.

I wonder what it is that makes a really great sounding pair of names; what do you listen for, or is it a visual thing? Is it syllabic and rhythmic, or to do with the predominant sounds? Or perhaps something altogether more to do with the "feel" of the names together?

Can someone share their formula with me, please?

I think short and long go together well, but not short-short or long-long. So Elizabeth Rose or Rose Elizabeth yes, Alexandra Elizabeth or Elizabeth Alexandra no.

Avoid the same initial e.g. Marcus Matthew

Avoid rhyming or names with the same end sound e.g. Kevin Devon or Lucas Marcus

Personally I like a meaningful middle name, if the first name isn't i.e. family name or something.

If it's your first DC and you're planning more don't use your second favourite name as a middle name incase you have another of the same gender and it's already been used.

Ah, those are great pointers, Zoo. I think we're stopping after this one so I have all our favourites to choose from. Thank you for your time!

After you've done the birth announcements, you rarely introduce your child / yourself with their middle name, so, although I do agree with Zoo, I actually don't think it's that important that they 'go'. Thy only thing to be wary of is seeing if your initials make a word (so avoid middle names beginning with a vowel) , or the initials mean something in everyday language.

My lg is Daisy Rose

OP, you might enjoy reading this post: nameberry.com/blog/middle-names-how-to-make-a-distinguished-choice.

Avoid having two names with similar endings as well as beginnings. This is more for girls names than boys as there are lots of names ending in "a" or "ie" sounds. So Sophie Katie doesn't work as well as Sophie Kate.

I have a Daisy Mae & Charlie James, which I happen to think go well with each other! both middle names are family names, so hold meaning for us. Go with what you like, it doesn't matter if others think they dont 'go' together, they're your children, so if William Williams floats your boat, so be it! :) xx

Hi there! That's great, I enjoyed reading your hints and tips! And it was also good to be reminded of the fact that one rarely introduces oneself with one's middlename. Thank you for taking the time to respond and send a funny link too.

Both our dds middle names begin with the same initial as their first names and they sound lovely. Their first names are long and their middle names short. Rules are made to be broken

Middle names are so rarely used, most people don't know my middle name. In other words, choose a middle name that has some meaning to you, perhaps honouring a family member.

Much better to focus on finding a great first name as well as on how the first and surname sound together imo!

And, on the initals issue, my initials spell MAD and I love it ! Much cooler than if I were, say MGD or MBD, no?