Importance of middle name?

melmacd18 · May 2011

We're working on middle names right now, and I was curious if I'm alone in my general thoughts on middle names. I just don't see that they really matter that much. I've only ever used mine on legal documents. To me, it just seems like another level of identification to distinguish among the John Smiths.

I do get that they can carry significance for some people (ie. honoring family members, saint's name if Catholic, etc.), and I have no problem with that.

The reason I ask is that MH thinks middle names should be family names and he'd like to pass down our middle names depending on what we have (team green). We've settled on Isla for a girl and my middle name is Lynn. I think Isla Lynn sounds almost like "island" and flows horribly. But - based on my general thoughts on MNs I don't see that it really matters because how often does someone use their first and middle names in conjunction with each other. Or does it matter?

KendraJoette · May 2011

I dont think it is that big of a deal unless it matters to you.

kjr · May 2011

I don't think they are a big deal in the grand scheme of things. But I am with your husband and prefer family names.

Shelleybell · May 2011

I dont think there is any importance of a middle name whatsoever, unless it really bothers you.

MarshaBrady · May 2011

I don't think MNs really matter at all. I understand giving a MN with significance, if that's important to you.

But think about it, how many people's middle names do you know? Unless someone is super close to me or they have an unusual MN, I don't know it, and it never really comes up.

MilMom2B · May 2011

For the most part they don't get used that often while the person is a kid. As adults it's up to them whether or not they use them professionally (ex some lawyers go by full name or use middle initial, etc). So other than at graduation when their full name will get announced, it's unlikely you'll encounter the use of the full name all that often.

mbritto4 · May 2011

My DD we just picked a MN we liked, though her FN is my sister's MN. LO we are using my Mom's MN for her MN since she passed away in 2007. Isla already does mean island, but if you don't like Lynn with it pick a MN you like better. If YH is stuck on family names look at grandparents / great grandparents.

mainemommy · May 2011

The only important thing about a middle name is how it flows, when the kids are in trouble they'll know it because you'll yell first name middle name, instead of just first name, you want it to sound good.

TristaD81 · May 2011

Overall, I don't think they're that big of a deal. My family also uses the MN spot to honor family members (not just the parents, but grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, etc also - usually people you were close to or want your LO to be like).

However, I do know several people that go by their MN's and not their FN's.

melmacd18 · May 2011

Thanks for the input! Isla Lynn it is. I really don't feel like the MN is super-duper critical, but sometimes I see the "MN help" posts and for a split-second I feel bad for not finding a beautifully flowing name for LO.

Edited for bad grammar...

melmacd18 · May 2011

mainemommy:
The only important thing about a middle name is how it flows, when the kids are in trouble they'll know it because you'll yell first name middle name, instead of just first name, you want it to sound good.

LOL! This crossed my mind. I imagined myself yelling "Isla Lynn" and stuttering on the "L"s Stick out tongue

Firefly9 · May 2011

mainemommy:
The only important thing about a middle name is how it flows, when the kids are in trouble they'll know it because you'll yell first name middle name, instead of just first name, you want it to sound good.

I think the most important thing is the flow, too. Beyond that, I think it's up to the parents--and everyone is different--how much meaning they want it to have. The middle names for three of our choices have meaning, the middle name for the 4th name probably won't. The first three are family names--my grandfather's name, DH's grandfather's middle name, and DH's dad's name--but we also like them because they go well with the first names. If they didn't, we wouldn't use them.

njohnson1972 · May 2011

I think middle names are pretty useless. I even dropped mine when I got married and kept my maiden name as my middle name - it meant more to me.

So I certainly wouldn't stress about it. Just pick something you like.

damabo80 · May 2011

MNs do not matter to me at all. If DH had a strong preference one way or the other on a MN, I would have no issue tossing him the reins for it.

The only time you're going to use it is during graduation ceremonies and when you're yelling at them. Stick out tongue

Could you find another name that "flows better"? Sure. Isla Lynn wouldn't be my first choice for flowing-ness, but if it makes your DH happy, go for it. Not a battle I would choose to go to war over. And, you can use it to your advantage to win some major brownie points!

Heather&Ben · May 2011

For us it's important b/c both of our MN hold significance to us / how both our parents viewed MN w/ naming us.

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