Giving names where the intials spell a horrible word... Thoughts please.

[mandbaby]

We love the name Seth but we're struggling to think of a suitable middle name. We think Alexander goes quite well. The only trouble is, our surname starts with a 'G', meaning his initials would spell "SAG".

Would this put you off?

If so, can you give some alternative suggestions for a middle name. I like Seth Sebastian, but hubby isn't very keen.

I think as long as the initials don't spell something offensive I wouldn't worry about it. Most of the time he'll use Seth or S. surname anyway. If the worst that can be done with his name is to call him "Saggy" then that's not so bad.
I prefer Seth Alexander to Seth Sebastian, don't like the alliteration.

I wouldn't over-think it. My parents did this and I therefore go by my middle name. Every time there is an official document, I have to explain that I'm actually known by my middle name. It was a complete pain at school (start of every year, and later on, start of every year in every subject). Frankly I couldn't care less about my initials spelling something (which was as innocuous as SAG). I've even had a work colleague (supervisor) decide to use my first name as she and another member of staff both shared my middle name .

We checked all initials and dropped names that spelled out negative words or abbreviations. So I would change Alexander.

I do think it can matter - I knew a lad who was always known as 'Digger' because his initials spelt JCB. I think SAG would be worse for a girl though - the opportunity for cruelty is more obvious!

Sag is fine and Seth Alexanderbsounds really good. We want to use Alexander as a middle name too and initials would be Jam.
I'd only be bothered if it spelled something offensive

If you have a first name that you love, do you 'need' to give him a middle name? This would avoid the initials spelling a word.

I don't have one, DD doesn't as I couldn't see the need for one. It's not something that we've ever missed. DH does have a middle name that he hates. DS has a middle name that I don't really like, but it was given to him to keep MIL happy.

That's really a long winded way of saying that it seems that the majority of people that have middle names don't use them outside of official forms in day to day life. A few use them in place of their first names as an adult because they don't like their first names.

I think it would put me off though there are definitely worse initials.

How about:
Seth Elijah
Seth William
Seth Dominic
Seth Christian
Seth Jamieson
Seth Josiah

I don't think sag is that bad, I thought you meant poo, tit, ass or something. I actually don't think sag as an insult would spring to mind for kids and adults would bother with that kind of insult. Surely it rare that all names are initialised including surnames anyway.

Sorry meant to add Seth Alexander is lovely

How about Seth Xander instead (or does that sound too Star Warsish?)?

Good grief, I thought you were going to say something like Charles Unsworth Nigel Thomas or something. Sag wouldn't occur to me. DD1's initials spell MASH, btw...

wouldnt bother me in the slightest.

Screen Actors Guild! I think it's fine.

Both my brothers were taught by one F.A.R. Thomson. It says much for him that he was a very well-respected teacher.

I can think of a lot worse ones than SAG. If you have a reason to use Alexander than use it and don't worry but if not there's lots of other middle names out there or don't bother with one at all. I don't have a middle name and it makes no difference.

Our middle names are Alan Ross, last name McClure.
ARM

That rules out anything that begins with an F or H

I wouldn't think of SAG as a horrible word, honestly,

How about a second middle name if you are worried - Nicolas for SANG?

If we'd been having a girl the name we liked had the initials PIS. I was going to add a second middle name to avoid this

My DSis changed her surname when she got married, she's now BJ. Doesn't give a shit.
Do people even see their initials written? I can't remember the last time I saw mine.
Honestly, no one is going to give a crap, and SAG is nothing to be embarassed about. If you were thinking of Frederick Alexander Gname, then I'd understand.
You might find when they get to school that they're teased for something else - glasses, wrong trainers, too brainy... you name it pisses on parade

I know someone with the initials PMT, it really doesn't seem to have been a problem for her

Seth Alexander is lovely and I think you should go for it !