Don't shoot me down, but...

[madasabadger]

Okay, so we have 3 boys and they all have 2 middle names (family tradition) so the upshot is we've used all our favourite boy names. We're expecting again, and I want to know (if we have another boy), would it be weird to call it Douglas, which is my eldest's middle name? If I'd thought there were going to be a chance of this many boys (or even kids) when we started, I'd have saved some names for later! I think the answer is yes, it is weird, but just wanted some thoughts from you guys. Thanks

I used to think it would be weird until we had three boys ourselves. With hindsight I wish we had used one of ds2s Middle names as ds3s first name. So I'd say if you really can't find another name then go for it.

I know somebody who did this, and I still think it's a bit odd, sorry.

We had the same predicament btw when DS4 came along and all our favourite boy's names were used up with the other 3 and their 2 middle names

We found a cool name for DS4 and he is v proud of it.

You'll find the right name too

Yes, weird. And there is a good chance the kid will hate it.

There are thousands of names out there!

Douglas, Doug -- i would say its quite ok. A contrast to all Jacks and Charlies everywhere.
Its a proper name at least, not somethink made up or yooneeq spelling

Oh, call him 'Dougal', I love Dougal and have not had a chance to use it!

No, weird!
I know 2 brothers called Paul Thomas and Thomas Paul (not their real names) but yeah - weird weird weird!

I think it's absolutely fine. Douglas is a great name!

Way to say to a child that they are an afterthought.

BertrandRussell - it's my Grandfather's name and I really like it. There are thousands of names, but not that go with the fairly traditional British names I already have for my other boys. Also, if you look at the top 1000 names used in England and Wales (www.britishbabynames.com/blog/top-1000-names-in-england-and-wales-2014.html) - a huge chunk are either awful, weird, overseas names (which would be odd to pick as we have no reason to pick a spanish name for instance) or just odd spellings of standard. If you then take off the top 10-15 or so, (so they're not one of three in their class) and the 9 names I've already used - there's not much left.

However, Redtoothbrush - see your point!

The Queen did it...so it must be ok! (Edward is one of Andrew's middle names)

It was very common to give all / many of the sons a family name when 50% of children died before they reached the age of 5.

Not so much now.

Can I just say something about the top 10 names?

Even if you pick the top name, there will only be one in every 57 baby boys with the same name. One in over 100 babies.. So you'd still be pretty unlucky to have one in the same class.

The 10th? One in every 95 baby boys. So one child in 200. Even more unlucky.

So just choose a name you like.

Weird, just no!

Sorry but it would be a bit weird. I'm sure you're aware that you can legally opt to be known by any of your middle names, so what happens if they both want to go by Doug.

It does seem a bit odd, sorry.

Third child has to be special. He will share many things that belonged to his brothers first, don't make him share his name.

4th child even!!

I know someone that's done it to, but I do think it's a bit strange, yes. There are plenty of other nice names out there!

The Queen is not a good example -she has a very short list to pick from!

If I have another DS he will have ds2's middle name as a first name.

I don't see the problem.

Who even pays attention to middle names anyway?

I agree with RedToothbrush.

I know 2 brothers called Paul Thomas and Thomas Paul
I know 2 sisters who had that kind of thing too - deadful!

No, I think it's weird - sorry

I would think it a bid strange and like an afterthought sorry, there are so many good names available but you could choose something similar.