Disadvantages to using 3 names?

KarlsSweetie05

In my family, we use 3 names frequently (Mary Elizabeth Grace).

I know its not a popular option in general, but am honestly wondering why people feel its not a good idea.

Would you mind sharing your thoughts on why someone should not use 3 names?  What am I not thinking of / missing as possible problems for the child?

The reason I am asking is because I'm seriously considering using 3 names for each baby as these will be our only children.   There are so many people we want to honor and narrowing down our name choices to just 3 names each is going to be really hard.  I don't see how we can pick only 2 names per baby.  I almost wish we were royalty and could string togther a bunch of names and not get the side-eye - lol.

TIA!

JaneG2011

As long as only the first one is their legal middle initial I don't see the problem.  I wouldn't register them at school with three names though. 

Under.the.Rose

I have two middle names and while it was a nice thought (both my grandmother's names), I rarely have a chance to use both. On most legal documents, government issued cards (etc) there's usually only room for one initial.

completelyundefinable

My sister's legal name is Anne Louise Elizabeth Rose and she hates it! There's no point in having that many names and it's a PITA.

applejackrach

My husband has four names because he was adopted and chose to keep his original name and just add on. But, it has been a hassle because the names never fit onto legal documents. And because his two middle names are James Roberts, some legal documents read J.R. as his midddle name and think he is a junior when he isn't.

Kimmy1836

Our daughter has 3 names and so will our future children. Both her middle names honor family members and it is a tradition in J's family to have two middle names. I don't see why it would be a problem because most times (on paper work, etc) only the first of the two middle names is even used.

alliejo725

If you and/or your family has three names and are familiar with whatever difficulties there may be to having three names, and don't think these difficulties are that much of a hassle, then give your children three names.

PP mentioned filling out forms/paperwork/legal stuff, but you probably already know how that is. If you don't think it's that big of a deal, then carry on the tradition.

It sounds like the only reason not to is inconvenience, but that's a matter of opinion.

anna7602

I don't see any. Yes, you can't fit the entire official name on your driver's license, but who cares? Multiple names are the norm in my family and while my parents may not be able to put every single name on their driver's license, my dad does have all of his names on the degrees he got at American schools (he made a point of it, the degrees from his home country had all the names as a matter of course) and the certifications he received here afterwards. My mom has a compound first name (Maria Luisa), but takes great pride in the reasoning for her middle name and everyone in the family is aware of it.

When I got married, I chose to keep my maiden name as a second middle name. It's on my social security card and it gives me the flexibility to use whichever middle name I feel like professionally. On most official docs, I sign with one middle initial, but on my resume, for example, I have my first name, maiden name and last name.

The more names, the more "unique," honestly. My mother, SIL and niece all have the same first and last name. Our last name is not super common at all, but the name Maria is and I have at least one friend on FB who also has a friend named Maria Mymaidenname. Luckily, my mother, SIL and niece all have other names to distinguish them from each other.

teshy1

I can't think of one good reason NOT to use 3 names.  Yes, the full name may not fit on some government-issued docs like a driver's license, but does that really matter?  My DH has two middle names in honour of his two grandfathers.  On lots of paperwork, only his first middle name shows up, but on his passport, his full name is listed.  I think having 2 middle names is a great way to honour people on both sides of the family.  We are considering doing this for our LO.

veganxangel

I have two middle names and I've never had an issue with it. As PPs said, sometimes you can't fit it on documents but if not than I just use the two initials. I think as long as the flow works, go for it. FWIW we're giving all of our children two middle names as well.

strangebird

I have two very long middle names, as well as a long first name and I have always loved my name. When I was a child, it was a source of pride whenever names came up, that I had two middle names and my classmates only had one. I've grown up loving the option of using my middle names as nicknames, too.

As for legal difficulties, there really haven't been any. My SS Card has my full first and both middle names. My birth certificate has all three as well. But for most things, I do use just my first name and middle initials. I sign my first name, both middle initials and my last name.

I have never seen it as a hassle, so I am surprised that some of the PPs said it has caused them a lot of grief--that has never been the case for me. I have always been, and continue to be, extremely happy that my mother chose the names she did and that she gave me two middle names.

msj215

Lurking @ adding my 2 cents...

I don't see anything wrong w/using two middle names.  In BF's culture it's custom for children to have two middle names.  It's not something that I'm used too, but to honor his culture this LO & all future LOs will have two middle names.