Why do people have middle names?

Question

I never knew the significance of having a middle name. Obviously having a first and last name are important, but what's the use of a middle name?

Answer 1

In Europe, during the Middle Ages, most people were called by only 1 name, John and Mary being most common.
Then came the surnames like Johnson for John son and so forth. That helped for a time to identify which John or Mary you were looking for.
Middle names came into play because again, so many people had the same first and last names, they needed to identify and separate themselves from the rest of their communities.

Answer 2

I believe this custom comes from the Roman culture. I think the reason for it was so many people had the same first and last names that the only way to keep identities correct was to add a third name.

Answer 3

i don't [really] know, but i do want 1--so my initials would be NIN-that would kick-@** ;]