Why do we have middle names?

Do you ever actually use your middle name? (Other than to cringe when you were in trouble as a kid?)

I'm kind of on the fence w/ the whole middle name thing - My Mom said they used to have to do it b/c in order to be baptized you needed the name of a saint or something .......but not anymore ........

So, my boy's name is Sean Patrick - just b/c I know of like the way it goes.

But all of the girl names I like, I can't really think of a middle name for - do I really need one?

Re: Why do we have middle names?

i wouldnt think you 'need' one. Besides women like me just drop that middle name anyway at marriage

My father has no middle name either which is strange cause he is baptized *shrug*

I know my hubby's coworker doesnt have one and their office uses First name -dot- middle initial -dot- Last name for emails.. so for her it's an "X"

I say do what you want

ETA: besides baptisms, i heard middle names originated in trying to identify ppl in small villages where a large family would often have several of the same named ppl.. i.e. 5-6 John Smith but none were a Jr if that makes sense... So you had to have some way of separating them..

i think middle names used to be the mother's maiden name for boys.. and unless Im mistaken girls had their father's name as a middle name and used their mother's as their last name since they didnt carry on the family linage. *shrug*

whatever... its all old news now and we certainly dont use middle names the way they were most likely originally intended.

Message edited 10/15/2008 12:51:01 PM.

Re: Why do we have middle names?

I almost never use my middle name... I'm still wavering about whether to replace it with my maiden name or keep it.

my grandmother doesnt have a middle name so when i was little i told her that her middle name should be "sparkles" because i thought it was pretty

Re: Why do we have middle names?

I dont use my middle name, but i like it . When i was little, my dad and uncle used to call me Whitney L (hence the LIF name ) and i've always had a liking for it.
For , DH and I chose to use his fathers' name as the middle name- not out of necessity, but just to honor him.
I say if you want to - do it. If not, i dont think it's a big deal. I know people who do not have middle names and they are perfectly fine with it.

Message edited 10/15/2008 1:00:45 PM.

Re: Why do we have middle names?

so we can yell at our children using their FULL names

Re: Why do we have middle names?

because inevitably you and your DH want different names or you have to name your kid after a few people to keep the peace.

otherwise, I see no reason.

Re: Why do we have middle names?

I never used my middle name or intial until I got married. My maiden name was very long and (besides my family) I don't know anyone else with my last name. But when I got married it changed to something short and common. Now, everyone tells me that I should/have to use my middle intial bc my name is now "too common". So, I make sure it is on my bank accts and credit cards and stuff now.

Re: Why do we have middle names?

Not sure why we have them... but there's nothing written in stone that you have to give one to your baby.

What girls names are you considering?

Message edited 10/15/2008 2:41:09 PM.

Re: Why do we have middle names?

I didn't have a legal middle name. I made my maiden name my middle name when I got married.

ETA I was baptized w/ a middle name (my sister's who was my godmother) but on my birth certificate there was no middle name.

Message edited 10/15/2008 3:05:16 PM.

Re: Why do we have middle names?

my sister and i dont have middle names. infact someone asked me my ds's middle name the other day and can you believe i almost forgot what it was . Thats to show you how often i use it. LOL.

Re: Why do we have middle names?

I like middle names. Dh and I both have. I think it can sometimes make a name sound more substantial or proper in business or when signing. I am struggling to find a nice one to go with DDs first name b/c i am really a fan of them.

Re: Why do we have middle names?

I do not have a middle name (and I am baptized)

My mother does not have a middle name (she is baptized)

I want my children to have a middle name- My daughter's middle name is going to be Rose- It is to honor my grandmother (her middle name) and my aunt (her middle name) and my great grandmother (her name)

Re: Why do we have middle names?

Not sure why?! i DON'T have one annd I kinda like it that way!! Still debating if my Lil Bean will end up getting one- I guess they're good for when you're pisssed off at them and can call em by their full name