Using 3 names instead of 2?

earthycrunchymama

I'm just wondering what you think of using 3 names... like the first name and two middle names...

I have several friends that have - and the names flow well. The middle names were always short ones (in letters and in syllables) but I'm not entirely sure what the point of 3 names is...

Most forms give you space for only one middle initial. that would get old.

Having an extra name could reduce confusion though. At Harvard, there is another student with the same name (first/last) as me (my name isn't that common) and we also have the same middle initial, plus we are 3 weeks apart in age. I'd totally see an advantage to 2 middle names when this occurs - my dad had a similar problem where we lived - another local guy sharing the same name that was always in trouble with the police. they came to our house once even looking for the wrong guy!

I'm just wondering what people think. I'm not for/against it. I'd also be open to doing it (not that I have any middle names in mind!) 

Thoughts?

megdrew1218

I'm not for or against either. I think it works sometimes. Other times, I think it just looks like "we couldn't decide on one, so we both won" type of situation. If it flows well, then I think it's okay. I do wonder about forms and stuff as they get older? Drop the second one and only put the first? Put them both together? I'm sure they'd figure it out... not the first...

mysticporter

I'm not really for or against it, but it seems excessive to me.  A friend of mine has four names now (she just tacked her husbands last name onto her maiden name), and she runs into minor paperwork issues because of it when 'legal name' is required.  Seems like one would be setting oneself and LO up for a bit of hassle.

synchrosally

I don't really care either way.  We'll just be using one middle name though.

Buckets of Moonbeams

I think it's just fine.

 

My dad also has the same first, middle and last name as a local guy who was always in trouble with the law when they were younger (he's mellowed with age).  They are the same age, and they both actually go by their middle name.

KatelynRae

I don't think there is anything wrong with having 2 middle names.  It's unique and I like that.

anmorgan32

Ya know, I was always against it, but we may end up doing this if we have a girl. DH is set on "Zoe Jane" but I want the baby (either sex) to have my Maiden name as a middle name. So if we have a girl if will likely have 3 names unless I can convince DH to drop the Jane, which I'm not too fond of.

PerfectTogether1731

well... my parents named me with one mn, and when I was confirmed, I added my Saint's name to it. I've been using all three for years, and legally added Catherine when I changed my last name after getting married. I think that if it works and sounds good, go for it! For me, it's a religious thing, and we'll only give our children one mn.

AshnBrendan

DH has two middle names and if the baby is a boy we plan on giving him the same two middle names. I was never into it before but I like the way it flows now.

mzovoce

I have a hyphenated first name and a seperate middle name so it's

First-First Middle Lastname,

I didn't take DH's name either. If we have a girl her name will be a dual first name and she'll have a middle name. Also my niece has two middle names and has no problem anywhere. I have some problems that computers don't allow punctuation in first names. So we're not hypenating.

FemmeNat01

I think if you have a good reason for it, then go for it. If you just want 3 names for the sake of having 3 names, then that's pretty silly.

That being said, we have 2 MNs for the twins. They have family importance and they are there for a reason.

Shandie_725

We would have given LO two middle names if she had been a he. 'Paul' is my dad's name and has been in the family for 6 or 7 generations now. My sibling, Paul, died when he was 11 days old and my only (living) brother isn't planning on having kids. 

MWoodside

I am not super passionately against 2 middle names, but I wouldn't do it when naming my own kids.  It just seems unnecessary mostly.  I mean really the 1 middle name is barely used, you know?

earthycrunchymama

I've seen times where its worked and times where you go, "WTF - could you and DH not agree on TWO names?"  long middles names combined seems like a mouthful.

May partner is Indian. We are leaning towards American first name with an Indian middle name. In India, the families fight out amongst themselves what the baby's name will be and the baby is named on its 21st day of life.

The middle name is a family name there. My partner shares the same name as his brother, father and other relatives. He doesn't seem to think it's necessary for his child to follow their tradition since he's in the US, though if it keeps his family happy, and works with the name we choose, I'd consider throwing it in as a 3rd name... other then that, I'm not too big on super long names that you have to yell when the kid is in trouble!

 

Mom_E224

My sister is a 3 name kid. Her name is Michelle Amber Denise. I know that sometimes depending on the company they will use her entire name. Other times they use either the first or second middle name. But I'm pretty sure she tries to squeeze both mn into the spot. If they ask for initials, she puts A.D. I personally was jealous as a kid, thought she was "special" but now I couldn't care less. lol. I personally am neither for or against it.

jorden&kristin

My husband has 2 middle names. So if we have a son, he will have the same middle names as his daddy! But we probably will do it for all our kids because I kind of like the idea of them each having their own own name (its a lot less common to have 4 names the same) I think it can be cute but I have seen some names that just dra on and on and on with middle names!

CashewsMommy

How odd that you had someone with the same name as you even down to the middle inital!

I only know of 1 person that has 2 middle names, and that's only because her 2nd middle name was her catholic name that she got when she was a teenager.

T1andT2

I am not for it.

Because I now have 2 middle names (after keeping my maiden as a second middle) and it sucks.  Paperwork sucks, when I have to sign my "legal name" sucks, some places use one middle name and others use the second middle name...that is confusing.   The whole thing doesn't fit on my SS card....so my SS card, passport, and license are all different, that isn't fun. 

Mini_Mariah

I sort of want to do this if we have a girl.  DH really likes the name Emma  and mn Grace, but to me it's too popular (and DD has longer first and middle names, so I'd like the kids' names to somewhat go together).  So I thought about double first names like Ann Marie or Mary Lou or Mary Beth, and thought Emma Grace would make a good first name.  She'd have the ability to shorten it later if she chose.  Middle name is still TBD, I have to get DH to agree to the concept first.

2010mommy!

My children will have four names. First middle my-last-name hubby's-last-name.

ETK1188

I have two middle names. ***** Anne Maria ****. I always thought it was funny growing up, but I love it now. I haven't had any annoying issues with it, each name is short. I had to re-do some legal papers because I initialed *A* and not *AM* once

BrittH05

We plan to do it.  Both our name choices are 4 names long. usually you drop the second mi name when filling out legal paperwork.  Ours is more of an honorary thing for a lost family member so we want them to have the name.

jlscmg2009

i didnt really have an opinion at first but now it looks like we will be doing it. i want my dads name for MN but DH wants his MN in there. so to avoid arguments we will do both DH MN first and my dads MN second, i was actually wondering how legal papers would work when hes older too.

aurore22j

I have 2 middle names, as do my 3 siblings.  I don't ever use the second middle name.  All my stuff, (driver's license, social securtiy card, passport, etc) just has my first middle name on it.  The only thing that has both is my birth certificate. 

Although I do like having 2 middle names, I never use the second one.  I think it might be because I really love my first middle name and the second one is not my favorite name.  Plus the first middle name is a long name.  I have a very original first name, so there is never really confusing me with someone else.  But if you like the sound of 2 middle names I say go for it.