Who is going to name their child with only a first name?

Question

My fiances family has not given their children middle names. My family has. He doesn't want our child to have a middle name and I do. How can I get him to understand that having a middle name is important now a days....???

Answer 1

I was thinking about not middle-naming my future kids, because I don't know too many people who even like their middle name in the first place, so what's the point? However, I know my boyfriend and I will both get grief from our families if we leave out a middle name, and as my boyfriend points out, how else does a kid know he's REALLY in trouble if his mom or dad can't call him by his first, middle, and last name? Also, at graduation, it seems that the kids who didn't have middle names sort of sounded like something was missing when the principal was calling each name, so I don't know, maybe I will have to break down and middle-name the kid. Point out the graduation thing and the kid-in-trouble thing to your fiance. They sound like lame reasons, but they really are sort of important. And PLEASE whatever you do, don't give a kid a really awful middle name just because it's a family name or something. Thanks!

Answer 2

When I was in school (elementary, junior, and senior high) and taking standardized tests, every time it was revealed that one kid didn't have a middle name, everybody's immediate response was, "Haha, your parents didn't love you!" I'm not sure if this was just a regional thing or what, but the same thing happened a few weeks ago when I was with a group of college kids looking at their passports. One girl didn't have a middle name, and everyone laughed at her and said her parents must not have loved her when she was born. Those kids were from all over, so maybe it's not a regional thing.

The assumption is that because most parents have such a hard time picking a name for their child, any set of parents that can narrow it down to just one name must not have cared very much about it.

My brother has two amazing middle names and I only have one very generic one (Ann... not even with an e!), and I've always teased her that she must have loved him more.

I know that not giving your child a middle name does NOT mean that you do not love him, and I know that the people who say it does are just teasing... but still. Just give the kid two names. At the very least, it looks more dignified on a resume or on an desk nameplate.

Maybe just give him a middle initial? The J in "Michael J. Fox" doesn't stand for anything.

Answer 3

I don't have a middle name and people actually don't always believe me. They think I am hiding it because I don't like it or something. It was just one more thing that made me feel different and weird as a kid. ( i have heard the "your parents didn't love you enough" too) What made it worse was my brother got a middle name (he's younger). I have always wanted a middle name, a monogram with 3 initials, something more to my name. My parents really have no reason why they didn't give me one, and gave my brother one. Make the kid normal and give him a middle name.

Here's an idea, if it is a boy give him your husband's name as a middle and if it is a girl name her middle after the grandmother or a feminized version of your husband's name. That may change their thinking. Then when the second one comes along you can pick a middle name from your family or whatever you want.

Answer 4

WHY is having a middle name important these days???
Making sure you have a roof over your head, money in your pocket, food on the table and love for your family is SURELY more important than a middle name that probably never gets said aloud very often!

If you think it's important because 'other people do it' then I feel sorry for you as you strive to follow the herd.

When it comes to names, it's important not to saddle your child with a ridiculously long / pretentious / made-up / badly spelled name that could cause confusion, misery and bullying for the kid.

THAT'S what's important.

I suggest that you and your fiance sit down and have a chat to sort out your life's priorities .. . .

Answer 5

I have several friends that don't have middle names. But if you are having issues with your fiances ideas, may I suggest that maybe if you take your maiden name and make it your child's middle name? I have seen that done. I live in a rural community in Ontario Canada and that has been done for generations and all the child does is use the first letter. IE:
Mom's maiden name is Smith. Fathers Name: Brown.
Child's name: Michael Smith Brown..(Michael S. Brown)
Just a suggestion that may ease your problem. Good Luck

Answer 6

Compromising is not always easy. Explain to him why YOU think its important for your child to have a middle name, not just because its the norm socially.

Personally, I appreciate a middle name & my husband & I are actually going to call our son by his middle name, but when he's old enough he can decide which he would prefer to go by. This has been a tradition in my father's family.

Answer 7

Its not that important. In my fiances family the first born son of the first born sons names would switch. And no middle names. Next kid can have middle names if we want it. But middle names are not that big a deal. I hate my middle name, i dont think its a huge deal. But if its that important to you discuss it further, if he doesnt listen you smack him (jk jk!!!) but all you can do is try to get it through it him what your thinking and feeling. Good luck ~ Sheky ~

Answer 8

Most things these days ask for a middle name such as job applications and things online but anyway the best thing I can tell you is to give the child a middle name its important to have one.

Answer 9

I never understood the point of a middle name I dont have one and it has never affected me. What real purpose does ity have. People dont generally go by their first middle and last anme. The middle name is cast aside. However it doesnt hurt to have a middle name I just think how most of my freinds are SOOOO embarrased by their middle name whereas I neverhad to worry about it. But all in all it is your decision either way it doesnt really magtter

Answer 10

Well, it is your choice, but I don't like middle names either. Usually nobody uses their middle name. In Europe it is not common to give a middle name (I'm from there) so I would say go with the firs name only