Is it strange not to give a middle name?

Question

In my husband's ethnic tradition the child's middle name is always the father's first name- no matter if it's a girl or a boy. We thought this would be odd in the US so we used my mother in law's name for my daughter's middle name, which I just happen to like, and it still sort of made a family tie-in.

We're expecing a second child and starting to think about names. It's hard enough to find a nice first name that goes with our last name. Although I am sure we'll succed in finding a nice first name, there is no family member's first that I would particularly care to use as a middle name and to just pick something that is not a family member's name seems so arbitrary. What is the point of a middle name anway- you never use it. Do you know of anyone that just skipped out on the middle name for their kids? Or does anyone know the significance of a middle name for practical reasons? We are not Smiths or Joneses. There is no danger of this kid being confused with someone else!

Answer 1

I have no middle name, for the simple reason that my parents found giving me one to be unnecessary. Neither did my mom, although when she got married she made her maiden name her middle name.

I personally see only one reason to have one, and that is for ease of identification. A police investigator might have potentially 100 Joe Brown's to interview, but with a middle name, that number dwindles.

But a middle name is not necessary, and I wouldn't give my child one. It might be strange to some people to find out one has no middle name, but it seems like everybody has one nowadays, and in this case, not going with the crowd and preserving some individuality in choice is fine for me.

Answer 2

It's not strange, many people do that throughout the world. The problem could simply arise for your child that having only a first name could allow a third party to sue him/her in the future instead of an homonym sharing the same first name. That's usually the main practical reason for giving a middle name. If your last name is rare or unusual, this matter could be neglected. Simply keep in mind that the world is cold, very cold out there.

Answer 3

I have known several people without a middle name - it's no big deal. A middle name is certainly not required. But if you want a middle name, but just can't find one you like among family members' names, then you could just pick a name you both agree on that is outside the families.

Answer 4

I grew up without a middle name and had no problem. People are rarely called by their middle names anyways, so I really do not think you'll be depriving your child of anything. I opted to give my future son a middle name only because I wanted to give my own father a chance to name a boy (he was stuck with 3 daughters), but I really do not think he'll be using it that often. Once again, it is not odd or "unAmerican" to not have a middle name. It's all about your own personal preference!

Answer 5

No, I don't think it is strange to not have a middle name because you already have a first and last name, why bother with a middle name? That and, I and most people in this country probably don't have middle names.

Answer 6

I think the only reason why anyone gives a child a middle name is to keep Grandma happy, naming the child after her, if they don't like her first name. I know people whose parents just gave the kids a middle initial. Do what you want. You'll never please everyone anyway. God bless.

Answer 7

the father of my child has no middle name, nor does his sister. i hav 2 middle names as well as both of my kids. if u want a middle name but not a family name maybe look in a baby names book and pick a name that has a special meaning. if not its no big deal to not hav a middle name.

Answer 8

Everybody knows that the purpose of a middle name is to give you something to call a child when you are really mad.

"John Michael Smith, how dare you do that?"

Other than that it just seems to be tradition. My mother and aunt didn't have middle names.

Answer 9

I know some people who have no middle name at all; and a few that just have an initial in place of it. I don't think it's unusual, if you don't want to give a middle name then don't...

Answer 10

My friend didn't have a middle name and it was a conversation starter for her. I had another friend in high school that had 3 brothers and all four of them had the same middle name both boys and girls it was their mothers maiden name. It is just personal preference, no need to have a middle name, you have your social security number to identify you.