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Baby Names
The double middle...
I'm sure this has probably been discussed, but how does everyone feel about the trend of giving kids a double middle name?
I honestly don't get it - especially for girls who may later choose to hyphenate and/or move their maiden name to the middle.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: The double middle...
Some cultures show family ties via two middle names and for others, it just works. Here are a few threads on that....
1. Middle names are a great way to honor family members or people in your life you think of highly. Here's a good thread on that subject:
https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/42678593.aspx (purpose of a middle name)
https://nameberry.com/blog/2009/01/04/how-important-are-family-names/
https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/42840071.aspx?MsdVisit=1
2. Middle names can also be a child's informal first name, especially if there is a family tradition of all children of one sex being legally given a certain first name, then a middle name would distinguish one family member from another.
https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/44562705.aspx
3. Many people use one middle name, but there are some reasons to use more than one. Here's a thread on two middle names:
https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/42672692.aspx
https://nameberry.com/blog/2009/09/23/middle-names-are-two-better-than-one/
Heavens to Murgatroyd Blog
Unofficial Baby Names Sticky Note: New and Old| Local Bumpie Website
It's the norm in my parents' culture to have several names in all their forms- two last names, double first names, two middle names, etc. My mother had five official names on her birth certificate (a compound first name, a middle name, her father's last name and her mother's last name).
If your child doesn't want to keep the names later in life, I see it as their decision. Personally, I chose to keep my maiden name as a second middle name so that I now have four official names on my SS card and my passport. Each of these names signifies something very important to me and is part of my identity.
I have a three-syllable, seven-letter first name, two long middle names (three and four syllables) and my maiden name was a hyphenated surname with a combined total of four-syllables. Yes, it was/is long, but I love my name and because of that, we intend to carry on the tradition with our own children.
A lot of people get caught up in a name being "too long"--even when referring to just a three- or four-syllable first name--and that's what I don't understand. It's not really much harder or more time consuming to write out Elizabeth or Katherine than it is to write Caylee or Harper. So that argument doesn't make sense to me.
Saying the name might become unbearably long when you add in a middle name or maiden name or hyphenate the last name makes a little bit of sense, but since I went through my early life writing out all those names and initials, I guess I don't see why it's such a big deal.
DH and I have talked about honouring our parents by using their first names as middle names for our child. DH has two middle names, his grandfathers' names.
I wouldn't call it a trend.
My daughter has two middle names - both of which honor family members. It is a tradition in J's family to have two middle names (most of which honor family members)
Later in life, if Charlotte chooses to hyphenate or move her maiden name to the middle, I really don't see where the problem is? It isn't that much different than having only one middle name. It isn't like she is going to use all of her names when filling out paperwork, receiving mail, etc.
I found this to be a very sad statement as mother who gave her daughter a double middle with same the same reason that your mother did for you.
I guess it just felt like it was trying to be prestigious by having so many names. I never really knew which one I should use for which paperwork. I decided to skip the 1st middle name (Marie) on my diplomas and just made my mom's maiden name as my only middle name for these. If I had to get rid of one it would be the first (Marie), cause it didn't really have a meaning.
It has meaning for our family.
My MIL moved her maiden name to her middle when she got married. All of her children have her maiden name as a second middle. It doesn't bother them in the least. My husband uses his first middle name initial when asked for his middle initial. His sisters aren't yet married, so I have no idea what they'd choose to do. However, I think having a hyphenated last name would have the same consequences, so I don't see the issue.
My husband and I are planning on possibly giving our children my last name as a second middle. Because, well, their DNA will be 50% mine. And he adamantly wants them to have his last name. And because HE has 2 middle names, he sees no problem giving them two.
Now, when you give your kid a first and 2 middles that have absolutely no meaning or significance just because you like the names and can't decide, that seems unnecessary and almost AWish.
40/112
I agree to only use them if its tradition or has meaning to you.
My cousin couldnt decide so she gave her little boy all three of the names she liked resulting in a double middle. His name sounds like a sentence to me, Ian Chase Nathaniel (ie Ian, chase Nathaniel!!)
Yes, I should have said that I realize that in some cultures and families it is traditional, and that I do, of course, understand.
What I don't get is the current trend (and I DO see it as a trend) of giving your child 2 middle names just for kicks. It makes me think the parents just couldn't decide between 2 names they liked.
Our kids have double middle names.
I have double middle names (my names are LONG. 33 letters) and it has never caused issues. I love it because it's my name. It's a tradition and I am carrying it forward
If my kids have problems in the future, they are free to drop a name.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6