12 replies to this topic

[~Liz~]

So there is already a thread on multiple middle names. The overwhelming response on this seems to be that, although people don't have a problem with it, it does seem pointless, and perhaps would even prove to be an obstacle in many real life situations.

My question is this: What about giving your child no middle name?

I didn't think this would be much of a problem either, but I have heard opinions from people before that giving your child no middle name seems cruel, and others would make fun of them for being "different". Also, it offers the child no option of using a middle name if they do not want to use their first. While this may be true, how many people do you know that go by their middle name? What do you think? Is it a bad idea to give your child no middle name? What are the pro's and con's to this?

[Jellybean]

At first I wasn't gonna give Saoirse a middle-name.I thought it was extremelly pointless.But then,DH said to me: "Your name was in honor to a member of your family.Imagine if you could honor your grandma and still give the baby another name,a name that you really adore"

[rhaego]

I don't really see it as a bad thing to have no middle name, but I'm certainly grateful that I have one. I go by my middle name, as well as my grandma and my brother. Then again, I know people who hate their middle names. I honestly think that middle names aren't really given to provide the option of a different name, but to enhance the first name or honor a loved one. Although I'm proof that they do come in handy for those of us who dislike our first names. I've known some people who don't have middle names and they never seemed bothered by it. If you have THE name and would rather not take glory away from it, then it's perfectly fine to leave the middle name out. But I'd still prefer it be there.

[Antelope]

To me no middle name is better then two or three. For one you don't get to fill out paper asking for your middle. My name is Jimmy Curtis, and that's your name. Having 2-3 middle names is kinda silly. You hardly ever use them so why does it matter if you have three. It makes no sense. You may say I wanted to honor people but look people just see that you can't settle on a decision because your not a problem solver. I like blab about nothing as you can tell. Most of my friends on the other hand don't have middle names and so when someone asks you do you have a middle name, you have to explain to them why you don't have one. I think people have to keep it simple and give their children one middle name because it's less hassle that way. Andrew Michael

[Sylvana]

I don't think that there is anything wrong with not having a middle name. My grandfather, mother ad nephew all don't have a middle name.

But when I will get children, I will defiantly give them a middle name. Because there are so many names I love and If I get a boy it would be a great way to honor my dad.

[Bryn Elizabeth]

I really like middel names. At school, sometimes I go by both just because it's longer and prettier. My best friend is from Bosnia, and no one in her family has a middle name. I don't like it because I always want to call her by her full name but she doesn't have one. Ilike several middle names too. It's just elegant.

[sexykelly]

it doesnt matter if you dont have a middle name but i would like my child to have a middle name

[Alexis!]

Middle names are soo much easier.

I have two girls with the same first and last name and if it weren't for their middle names, the schools who be pretty darn confused!

I personally LOVE middle names. It sets you apart from other people with your namee!

[Fez]

I know a lot, and I mean a lot, of people who don't have a mn; and those who do, tend to be embarrassed of them. As a name lover, I think it's a pity not to give your child a mn, but I don't think it's wrong. I go by my mn because my fn is really common, it can even be considered a filler. In fact, all the women in my family share the same fn, it's a tradition, and so we all go by our mns. Although I love to have two names, I can definitely relate to the whole paper work issue. My full name (fn+ mn + fln + sln) is really long and as a result, there is always a chunk missing whenever paperwork is done through a computer. What really bothers me is that people randomly decide where to cut it and so, sometimes I have to tell people to look under different names until they can find me in the database. Sometimes I whish I had a shorter name, but most of the time I really love it.

That said, I think it's nice to give your child a mn as long as you find two names you really love, or want to honour someone. If you are just going to choose a mn because most people have two names, then I don't see the point of doing so.

[Julie]

i love middle names they are either very beautiful or extremely funny i love my first and middle name (Julie Ann) and i don't go by my middle name but my initails (JAM) are a constant nickname coming from my best friends i personally feel it would be slightly odd for your initails to only have 2 letters but thats just me

[Katie-Nana]

One of my best friends Mahsa is from Iran and she doesn't have a mn because in Iran it is not traditional to give one and I know she sometimes wishes she had one just so it could be one less way she was different.
I could see how not having a mn could make a child feel left out or different from the other kids and I could also see how if you explain it right and treat it right, that a child might feel special because they are different.

The only other person I know who decided to not give their child a mn was a couple of Hispanic decent who wanted to honor their heritage, so when they were married they hiphenated their two rather long names. When they had their daughter they decided that to give her a mn would be too long of a name since she already had two long last names. They were able to choose one name that they really loved for a first name and I think their reasons for not giving a mn were valid.

[Dominique]

I dont think not giving a middle name is a bad thing or mean or anything if they dont mean anything to you. I mean to me a middle name has always been a way of honoring family. Thats how its been treated in my family, its never been used to just put something cute in the middle of the first and last name. In my family you always put something family oriented there. Like for us females, Marie may be popular, but in my family its been around for many many generations as ALL of our middle names without skipping a beat. Its actually dwindled down now to my sister and I to carry it on bloodline wise and it may sound silly, but sooo many years of tradition, well I can't just not give my child that as a middle name especially since my sister doesn't plan to have any more kids after her son. With boys I feel the same. I think you can honor the father, grand parents, even the mother with her maiden name that way. My mothers maiden name would have died here in America if she didnt put it in my brothers names for middle names. It may sound kind of silly to some, but middle names are for me probably more important than the first name, only because of tradition.

[gypsybandit]

My dad had seven brothers and one sister. My grandma gave some of them middle names and some of them don't have middle names. It didn't affect them one way or another. I do totally agree with the middle name to honor a family member. I think its such a good idea.