Honest thoughts - would Brits consider this OTT?

[crowsnest99]

Firstly I'd just like to prefix this by mentioning that I'm very new to mumsnet and whilst I reside in the UK, my husband and I aren't entirely British (He's 1/2, I'm only 1/4) and our respective heritage is very important in choosing the names for our prospective children (we're trying as of June!)

We both feel quite strongly about multiple middle names - more as a formality to honour heritage, relatives, etc, and as we both share Italian, French and Greek roots, some of the names we consider 'worthy of honouring' may seem a little... over the top?

We live in London and the ideally the children will attend a pembridge/wetherby type school and they both so English and I worry about them sharing classes with many George and Charlottes...
Anyway. Here are the fateful top names drum roll

Boys:
Augustus Stefan Priam Charles
Ptolemy Alexander Hector St John

Girls:
Octavia Beatrix Persephone Monique
Genevieve Inés Miuccia Céline

I really hope I don't get eaten alive for this - we really love the names!

Are you the op haagse99?

Sorry Re nn change - no idea what happened. Yes I am OP.

I agree with a previous comment that a lot of forms don't have enough room for multiple middle names. For important documents like passport and visa applications this might prove problematic.

I have two middle names and never, ever, ever use the second one. It was a complete waste of time my parents giving me more than one middle name.

George, Charles, Victoria and Catherine wouldn't usually be considered as "posh" in the UK.

They're well established names that are in common use throughout all levels of British society, and you couldn't make an accurate guess at the social class of, say, George, simply on the basis of his first name.

This isn't about your heritage. This is about giving your child a name that they can function happily with every day. The names you listed are too long, too much and if I am blunt will be embarrassing for a shy child (sorry).

I went to university with a girl who had 4 names, two of which were rather unusual. She was so embarrassed because the university gave email addresses with all your initials and named your locker with all of the names. Mean people took the mickey out of her.

In your position, I would give a little understated nod to heritage/family. So, considering the French aspect, I personally would have something that works in French and English, something everyday, functional and not embarrassing. Eg Lucie. Bear in mind that when your kids are grown up or even before, they will be instantly googlable. There is nothing at all wrong with names like David Jones, in fact I think that example is lovely. IMO a child needs a "go anywhere" practical name.

I'd be a bit worried that a name that long wouldn't fit on a passport application but I guess they are okay! Most people will only know them as their first name.

George is a great name btw, could be anyone from the bin man to the future king. Could be a millionaire or have nothing.

I don't think your dc's would encounter too many George's and Charlotte's. My DN went to school with a Blaze, a Valentina, a Dorinda and an Orchid. It was a standard state school in Surrey. Go with what you like. It will become 'normal' for those who know them. I was at school with a girl who had a traditional boys name. I found it quite exotic for a week or two, and then it was just 'her'.

I don't think anyone, other than the parents will give a hoot (or even know) about a surfeit of middle names.

It is however, pretty important not to give them a wanky first name, which Ptolemy undoubtedly is.

Apart from the names being too many imo, i really like your first names, especially Octavia, Augustus and Ptolemy. We know a little Ptolemy so to me it isn't unusual.

Indeed, do consider that if your children have more than one middle name, then they will not actually fit on the registration form for music grades
My DS's look most peculiar, as they did something odd with his, whereas DD's they sensibly gave her her middle initials.

In Greece the classical names are still used in a run of the mill way; so it is like a classroom full of Canute and Hadrians you only have to look at their football teams to see that.

Eusebio/Eusebius is nice.

I can't believe you've put this much thought into a child's name when you are yet to even conceive. And you've discussed it with your families.... that's just not a conversation I'd want with my family until I was happily fat and pregnant.
The names are bloody horrendous in my opinion but if that's what you like then that's what you like.
I have two middle names and curse my mum anytime I have to fill an official document out... and at my wedding I shuddered reciting my second middle name. It's awful!

I can't believe you've put this much thought into a child's name when you are yet to even conceive. And you've discussed it with your families

That IS a bit weird like

Some of the reasons you give for choosing names are very tenuous. An uncle's middle name? I have no clue what my uncle's middle name is.

I would definitely limit to one middle name. I gave dd1 2 middle names in a misguided attempt to be fair to both grannies. Second middle name is a pain, never used, pointless and doesn't fit on forms. Have started to drop the second middle name as unwieldy and daft. Don't do it!

I think the "many Georges and Charlottes" might find your choices a little infra dig tbh.

The reason why one finds a few Georges, Victorias, Charlottes etc in posho schools, is because they are classy, and timeless names.

That said, no-one will even ask, let alone care, about the 46 middle names. Octavia might come away unscathed but Augustus will be Gus/Gussy/Gusset etc and Genevieve will be Jen.

My daughter is Octavia but goes by one of her more unusual middle names. I love them all.

Ptolemy St John....

I wouldn't have thought having "common" names like George and Charlotte will hold the Duke of Cambridge's children back too much

You would have to have a heart of stone not to find Ptolemy St John funny. Honestly.

And if you want to find out what the British upper classes call their children a quick glance at the announcements in the Times will help.

Ah. Is this a windup? If so, you missed out Jocasta, Jonty and Tarquin from the mix, but otherwise it looks pretty comprehensive.

I'm really confused by this OP! I think I agree with BsB- there is a lot of it's my culture I'm not trying to copy the British upper classes blush blush but St John, Charles and Ptolemy Beatrix Persephone are English upper class names. They aren't solely Spanish, italian, Greek etc (unless I'm missing something?)

Most of them are now used by people of all classes. In London, private education or not, no one will give them a second thought. Stevan is fairly common. Octavia always sounds like a company name to me but people like if for the Shakespeare nod (again- English?!)