How do you feel about hyphenated names?

Question

When my husband and I have our third and last child it may be the only time we get to pick a name for a boy. We have two girls already.
Each of the girls have a special middle name that has sentimental meaning. For first names we went with what we liked.
For the third child we would like to follow the same tradition and give him/her a special middle name.
I'm not giving real names out here so, I will just make a name up. Let us say my husband's name is John Edward Smith. Edward was his uncle's name who died tragically at 17 one year before my husband's birth date. So, a very sentimental name. But, hubby wants his son to have the middle name John after him.
If I had a boy and I named him Joseph John-Edward Smith (remember this NOT the actual name, just an example) would that be too much of a mouthful?
I personally think it sounds fine since it will be a middle name. What do you think? Is it overkill?

Answer 1

i love how u go for the sentimental meanings. my family tends to do that too! i think it''s more special, but i wouldn't hyphenate though. i have to middle names and they aren't hyphenates. i know alot of ppl with 2 middle names and none has a name that's hyphenated.

hope i helped. good luck with the baby!

Answer 2

I think that it all depends on the flow of the name. Some names are perfectly fine hyphated but others are just a big no no.

Can you find a name that you like that is a variation of the sentimental name? That way you can use it as the first name.

For example:
If the name you are using is Joseph you could name him Joss.

You could also do a name with the same meaning...or the same initials..maybe he had a cool surname or middle name that you like as a first name.

Good Luck! SD

Answer 3

I really don't think it's a problem. Besides, it's not like people would go around calling him Joseph John-Edward. (aka the real name you give him) You could even get rid of the hyphen and use both names in the middle. Good luck!

Answer 4

My soon to be niece will have four names, 12 syllables, 28 letters, that's for first last and two middle. She will only be known as Abigail though so what does it matter? How often do you introduce yourself as Jane Doe Smith? Just Jane or Jane Smith right? At least it will have meaning.

And by the way my Grandpa has five middle names, one for each of his uncles Then his own first, so 7 names total but no hyphens. He had a lot of choices on what to be called at least ; )

Answer 5

I'd just give him two middle names - Joseph John Edward Smith. Giving two middle names is a perfectly acceptable practice.

Answer 6

I don't see, why not. The French and French Canadian, do it some the Spanish, do it some and even, the Americans do it some.

Personally, I don't know anyone with a hyphenated name, first, last, or in between.

Though it was only a first name and not hyphenated at all, I saw on TV this morning, a lady who's first name was Georgielyn. during The Price Is Right.

I'm glad, my first and middle names, are simple tosay. My last name, though? That's, a TOTALLY diffract story altogether!

Answer 7

I've seen this done many of times and don't think there's anything wrong with it. I've even seen them without the hyphen and just use two middle names. The middle name is not often used anyway, it's more of a namesake that is put on your birth certificate. The only other time would be when you make your mother really mad :) So, if you're comfortable with it...I would do it.

Answer 8

I don't see how you can really tell if it's a mouthful or not without the actual name. However, I do understand why you wouldn't give out your personal info on the net ;)

I think hypenated names are more than a mouthful they are extremely ghetto. If you want an extra name just give it...there's no need to hyphenate it.

Answer 9

No, I think it's fine, but maybe better without the hyphen and just two seperate middle names? I know a guy who has that and it flows much more smoothly. But that's just my opinion.

Otherwise, I like it a lot. Remember, it is JUST A MIDDLE NAME! Most people don't even use their middle name.

Good luck thist time!

Answer 10

I generally don't like hyphenated names, i was just living in a province where this is common practice for both boys and girls for first names, but usually no middle name. Marie-Pierre (girl) Marie-Reine (means queen mary) Pierre-Olivier, Anne-Marie, Jean-Michel, Marc-Luc and on and on and on and on and on and on....

For people with middle name I've also seen (from the same area) going like this (real person) Alexander Mario Joseph Marc-Paul THEN a last name... which was long. (his name, father's name, joseph because he's catholic??? and grandfather's name)

Just pick the name you want. Honour one person at a time, you can't honour everyone.

Name + Hyphenated name + Last name is too long and to many initials for me.