Are middle names necessary if we cannot find one we like?

[BrightonBuzz]

We're not giving our DD a middle name. There are almost no names that sound right with the sort of first name that we've chosen, and I refuse to use a basic one (Rose, Grace, Mae, Anne, Marie, etc.) that I dislike just for her to have one. However, my mum is insisting that we give her one but cannot articulate why we should. I have never used my middle name and only know the middle names of a handful of people in my life (my parents, my DH, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, my best friend). Outside of the tradition of it, they seem rather useless. Surely, they wouldn't be optional if it was that important? Thoughts?

Often considered a baptismal name so perhaps it is a religious based idea, so it’s not required. In saying that, it’s nice to have it as a sentimental name. Usually a parent or grandparent….or a saint if you’re religious

I feel adding the year gives a lot more personal info than adding an initial into an email address though.

For work emails, I have seen use of middle initials in emails where there are multiple people with the same name- and an x used if no middle name. I think use of numbers 1,2,3 etc are more likely to be missed and emails going to the wrong recipient.

I think it’s more important to have a middle name if the first and last name are fairly common or if sharing a first initial with a family member. I don’t have a middle name but my name is very similar to my sisters name (names that are often confused), so middle names would have been useful for us!

It doesn’t have to be a personal number, you can just pick a random one. We use 2 at work but it doesn’t lead to confusion because if you hover over the email address the contact card tells you what team the person works in and shows their staff photo.

I don’t have a middle name and have never thought about it!