Is 5 names too much?

[Fleetw00d]

My OH and I are due a baby girl next week and we still don't have a set name! Think we have a first name but currently deciding whether to double barrel her surname as we're not married (two quite generic English surnames, first is 1 syllable and second is 2 so quite short), current first name choice is Zara so also quite short.
However I'm also quite a fan of 2 middle names but unsure about giving her two middle names and two surnames.

Do people think that a total of 5 names is a bit much and should we stick to one middle name and a double barrelled surname? (I would prefer to keep both surnames and drop a middle name).

My DD has 5 names first name/2 middle names/double-barrelled surname

It’s not an issue, middle names are rarely used and how much time do you spend filling in paperwork?!
I loved the names and I’m really happy I gave her both middle names.

It’s fine - it’s not especially unusual at all.

Kids usually enjoy having a lot of names IME

I agree it depends on the length.

Zara Catherine Lucy Smith-Bradshaw is lovely.

Zinnia Caterina Luciana Smithingley-Braddington is too much.

You'll be fine.

(Also, just to add, I LOVE Zara). 😍

My maiden name became a middle name plus we honoured both grandparents in both kids names to they are for example
Zara Jean Lynda smith Jones &
Phillip David John smith Jones
So glad I did it and love telling my son and daughter about the people behind the names

I have filled in many forms that wouldn't accommodate that. Two forenames at a maximum and your name as the surname is sensible. Good luck.

I personally think if you have a good reason for using so many names (as you have to honour both Grandmothers and in order to use your surname too), then the struggle to fit the full name on forms isn't the end of the world (as the history/links to her family that your DD would likely feel makes it worth it). If it was 3 random middle names you just liked the sound of, then I'd suggest pairing it down.

paring it back, sorry!

I'd go with five. My daughter has quite a long name, Ophelia Josephine Alice, with a three syllable last name. I wish now I'd given her my surname as well which is four syllables . What about forms is the most ridiculous argument ever, always used on MN. How often are people filling out forms exactly

I think it’s nice to have 2 middle names, both my DCs do (mainly because we argued over the middle name choice with the first!). Your DC can always drop the, if they don’t like it.

@FluWorldOrder

I'd go with five. My daughter has quite a long name, Ophelia Josephine Alice, with a three syllable last name. I wish now I'd given her my surname as well which is four syllables . What about forms is the most ridiculous argument ever, always used on MN. How often are people filling out forms exactly

Yes, DH and DD have five names and never has there been any issue with any forms

I think it's fine! My maiden name and first names all together had 16 syllables! Never bothered me in the slightest.

If you get married, why don't you all take the double barrel name?

Ours both have 3 middle names - not been a problem until DD changed school and their email address is their full name - she's not happy....

I’ve got 5, it’s a pain!!

My daughter has two middle names. Her dad and I got divorced and I double barrelled her surname so she has 5 names. It's only an issue when it comes to very small forms, literally no other problems so far, she is 10.

Mine have five.

Three names, double barrelled surname. Fil aunt was dying and had nobody to take name fifty odd years ago so fil took it and double barrelled his.

I think it's too many.

I think it is far too many. How will she fit them all in on forms?

Middle names are pointless anyway. Who uses them? I have a middle name which I never use apart from official forms. DH doesn't have a middle name and that is far more sensible

Thanks all, really helpful to read all the different views! I have one middle name and love it and use it quite frequently, my OH hates his and never uses it, guess it's just personal preference and whatever we decide she can choose to use them or not!

I think it’s a bit too much.

But it’s not as OTT as my MIL, who has seven names in total - three first names, one of which is hyphenated, and a triple barrelled surname. In addition, two of her surnames have prefixes, just to string it out some more. Her full name is 17 syllables. Her family were minor European aristocracy though; so I guess if your Dad was born in a castle it kind of goes...

MIL would say trim it, it’s a PITA.

Dying to know what @VenusClapTrap’s MIL’s name is now!

I think it's personal preference too, I never use my middle name as I hate it (even though it has family significance, it's just an awful name). But it is useful at work, we use people's initials a lot and quite often there will be two EDs or similar so it's useful having the extra one then.