Socrates as a middle name??

[newmumnewmum]

Help! My husband is Greek and his father is called Socrates. It is greek tradition to name the first born son after the paternal grandfather. I have vetoed this and have compromised with it as a middle name, but still have huge reservations about using it 😑
Is it as bad as I think it is?

This seems to me a perfect use of a middle name. Family connection, and a bit colourful to boot. And like PPs say, it's unlikely he'll use it often so it's a fun little surprise. Go for it.

If it's a family thing then it's cool. If he was from Wolverhampton and ended up working as a mechanic it might seem harder to explain.

Actually that would be very fitting! I take it you have never read 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'!

It's fine. I'd use it as a first name. It would be a refreshing change from all the Noahs and Theos.

I know everyone agonises about this stuff but in reality no-one cares about middle names.

It's a brilliant name.

No one knows middle names unless you tell them

I wouldn't worry about it.

It’s a fab name - either as a middle name or first name, and it’s lovely that you’re going to honour your DHs Greek heritage

what first name are you choosing?

I’m also a big fan. It’s very cool.

I think it’s very cool and it’s grounded in family and tradition which makes it special. He also gets his own first name. Don’t over think it.

It's awful. But obviously means a lot to your husband. Use it for a 3rd name?

I was going to say it was a bit much, but the fact that he's half Greek and it's a family name makes it totally different. It's fine as a middle name.

I think it's fine! I have a (female!) friend whose middle name is Vladimir!

Without the family connection I would say no, but I think it's lovely to carry on the tradition

Thank you - all of your lovely comments are making me feel a lot better about the whole thing.
His first name will be Alexander 😊

Alexander Socrates is fabulous!!

I don't think it matters for a middle name. Most people only find out your middle name when it's read out in marriage service.

My colleague at work is Socrates! I’ve never batted an eyelid.

It’s the same for us op, my little boys named sonny (Greek for wisdom) after his grandfather and has been used for unaccountable generations in my family. Interestingly when I started a thread on here about it I was absolutely torn apart to the point where I had a little cry and had to leave mn for a good while (apparently it’s ’not even a name, and I’m vile and boring with no imagination), I’m surprised Socrates is more popular than Sonny. I’d go with whatever your heart tells you to and don’t think about what people on the internet say

Alexander Socrates is awesome I love it.

I've known people with both first and middle names Beowulf, Achilles, Isambard...

Oh and Damocles too.

Socrates is not the most unusual!

That’s an excellent name combo! Love it! And very, very Greek too so I’m sure the Greeks in the family will be happy

I didn’t realise Sonny was Greek for wisdom. I’m Greek and I’ve always known Sophia as being Greek for wisdom
what is your child’s name in Greek if you don’t mind me asking?

i know an Agathocles and an Agamemnon too both of which are more unusual than Socrates

Oh, yes, wonderful with Alexander. I read the fabulous Mary Renault novels about Alexander the Great, the gorgeous and talented Macedonian Greek. He was tutored by Aristotle, who was tutored by Plato, who was tutored by ... Socrates!

I actually really like it! Surely middle names are the place to go a bit different? Far more interesting than the usual 'filler' middle names.

My middle name is ridiculous (and not in a cool way like Socrates!) but there's literally no need for anyone to know it unless it's for something official (in which case who cares) or, in my case at least, if I want to give a mate a laugh. But Socrates is a solid name anyway!