Would it be odd for twin boys to share a middle name?

[LemonDrizzle69]

I’m currently pregnant with twin boys.
We have come up with one definite first name, the second is still an ongoing discussion!
My question is, is it odd for twins to share a middle name? They are fraternal twins and we will be keen to ensure they are treated as individuals.
Myself and my partner both so happen to have to same male ‘family’ middle name (John) Would it be strange to give them both the family middle name or should we look at maybe introducing a new middle name with meaning for one of them? If they were ‘just’ siblings, I’d be more inclined to give them both the same middle name, and although yes, they are siblings, them being born at the same time is holding me back from choosing to have them share a middle name for some reason…
What are your thoughts?

This is the easy solution.

Then it's obvious it's a family name.

This. Give one of them Sean and one Jack.

All my children have the same middle name - it’s my maiden name . We decided not to do double barrel surnames but all the kids have my surname as a middle name (which I use professionally but not in ‘real life’ )So I don’t find this idea particularly problematic .

I’m a twin.

I know you recognise they’ll be individuals and you sound very thoughtful about it. However, especially when they’re young, you’ll have a little uphill battle again teachers and friends and family who will very much think of them (and call them) ‘the twins’ etc.

I think whenever you have an option to give them something all of their own (eg a middle name!), then take it!

I got most of the way through this thread before realising that my three kids all share a middle name (my surname). TIL this moment I have not thought about it being weird. They do each have a middle name of their own though. The younger two (5 and 7) dont really know their middle names and occasionally ask me to remind them.

all of which is to say, I expect it will be fine. If there is a middle name that dad, grandad etc all have you can’t give it to one and not the other

I think it's fine for them to both have John as a middle name. It's a bit unusual but not full-on weird. It's a nice thing for them to share.

Give them two middle names so they get a unique one too? Make sure their first names start with different letters so they have different initials

Yes, weird.

I’d do it. And then I’d tell them that Twin 1 was named after the paternal Johns and Twin 2 was named after the maternal Johns!

My DH family do this. One set of nieces share a middle name, the other set share a different middle name... I think it is weird and refused to do it for my daughters but it does not have any negative impact on them so doesn't really matter.

I agree with a PP- just don’t bother with middle names at all. Dilemma averted, problem solved.

Or Eoin in Irish too. Pronounced Owen.

At first I thought it would be odd. But I think it is different if it is a family name.
I'd be tempted to give them two middle names each. Another name plus the family name.

I think it’s hard enough for twins to carve out their own identity without also sharing 2/3rds of a name

EDITED: Im wrong, realised when I read TFT

That’s not what you said. You said:

Myself and my partner both so happen to have to same male ‘family’ middle name (John).

Aka you said you both have the same middle name.

If you wanted to say the other way you’d need to say ‘the families of my partner and I both use the same male middle name’.

I think it’s fine. Most people won’t even know their middle name.

Both my kids have my surname as their middle name. We debated double barreling but it didn’t really work and so decided on this as an alternative. If you’ve kept your maiden name it also makes travel etc. much easier as the family link is clearly there.

My siblings and i all share a middle name

I think it's sweet. Especially as it's from both sides of their family. When they're older you can tell them the different relations they are named after

I think it's fine as it's a family name. Both my brothers have John as a middle name as it's a family name for us too. They aren't twins though (4 years apart in age) but no-one has commented even if they do know their middle names.
I think it's a lovely idea to use a family name and John is a classic that they could always use as a first name if they wanted to.

No issue at all for shared middle names. My DH, not a twin, has the same middle name as his brother. Not something anyone has ever given any headspace to.

Are you double barrelling their surnames. If not whoever is "getting' the surname gets the other parents name as a middle name. I personally dont like naming all children after a relative who would most likely be flawed (because we all are).

I’d give them two different family names. Being twins is connection enough, they need distinct identities in all ways imo.

As middle names are rarely used it won't be a problem and will give them both the family connection. The first names are the important one.