What do you think about having two middle names?

Question

I would like your opinon about two middle names. My whole thing is my husband has his grandfather's last name, which of course, in turn, our kids will have the same last name. I'm 15 weeks pregnant and we are finding out the sex in 3 weeks. If it's a boy he wants to name the boy Dominic Ronald Thomas Breisinger.

Ronald is my deceased father's name and Thomas is his deceased grandfather's name, which like I said, his grandfather's last name is Breisinger.

I personally don't like a kid having 2 middle names...and I feel like I'm being selfish if I ask him if he would just have my dad's name as his middle name since he is already carrying the last name Breisinger (after his grandfather).

Do you think this is selfish of me and if not, how can I bring this up to my husband without sounding rude about it?

Answer 1

Talk to him about it. I dont think that two middle names is good. I would go with Ronald

Answer 2

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by your husband having his Grandfathers last name. Generally people carry their paternal family name.

No matter what you name the baby he/she will have your husbands last name, So leave that out of the equation.

Having two middle names is okay, but why not drop Dominic and just call the baby Ronald Thomas Breisinger?

Answer 3

Actually, I think two middle names are just fine -- ESPECIALLY in a case like this, where both are intended to honor very special people.

It sounds odd, but I actually think Dominic Ronald Thomas Breisinger is a perfect solution. He gets his own first name, then your father's name (front and center, so if one middle eventually gets "dropped," it will likely be the other anyway) and finally your husband's grandfather's first and last name (both honoring a paternal grandfather -- with more than simply the surname -- and most importantly, keeping your husband happy). ;) It's really not that problematic, and a concession I'd be more than willing to make in the same situation.

I can certainly understand your reservations, but I think it's a fine idea. ;)

Answer 4

I think having that name would be a good solution because the people I have known with two or more middle names always had a predominant middle name anyway. The others simply existed and no one really knew about them except the family. It's just like your regular middle name; how often do you actually use it? It's just there. The second middle name would be even less used. If there would be a middle initial, I believe the predominant middle name would get that space and there wouldn't be a string of middle initials.

Answer 5

I don't much care for two middle names, either. In cases where they honor two important people, I'm less opposed.

But as you say, Breisinger is already the family name.

I'd present it to your husband this way: let's call this child Dominic Ronald. After all, if we have a second son at some point, we can use the middle name Thomas for him.

Even if you use nothing but family names, someone will always be slighted. I think it's reasonable to agree that your father is honored first.

The other possibility is to combine Ronald and Thomas ... Dominic Rotham, maybe?

Men can be very difficult about naming traditions! Good luck.

Answer 6

my poor cousin was given 5 names
her first name
a middle name
a 2nd middle name
her mother's maiden name
her father's last name

she's in college now and only uses 3 of them (first, middle, father's last name)

her little brother only got a first, middle & last.

here is your solution: pray you'll have a girl! don't bring it up until you know.
if you find out you're having a boy, suggest that you "save" thomas for the next baby boy. that way, the name will be more special than just a 3rd name that will usually get dropped.

i don't think you're being selfish, but i see why your husband wants this; breisinger is really your husbands' name (and yours now). most people you know will not be thinking of the great-grandfather when they hear it. but, don't you think you'll have more kids eventually? share the names. what if you have another boy and the second has just a regular name w/ no family ties?

Answer 7

There have been people with 2 and 3 middle names.
The thing that I always like to consider though is the fact that this young baby is the one who is being saddled with the names and one day they will be grown up. So I would think about how they might feel then. In some instances they probably would not even mind.............

Answer 8

Not a good idea. I have a baby name book at home that suggests not doing this for a lot of reasons. Some being what middle initial will you use, there is never enough room on a form for all 4 names your child will have, confusing to the child, etc. My sister in law did this to her son and they have quit using one of his middle names because it is too complicated. Needless to say she didn't do this with her second child. It also doesn't suggest naming a child so and so Jr or the 2nd or 3rd. It says it is very confusing to the government, social security department, etc. Just not a good idea.

Answer 9

My daughter has two middle names it was supposed to be written ValerieAnn but they messed up so it's Valerie Ann. Anyway, this was my idea because my husband wanted to honor his family and I wanted to honor mine. So, Valerie for his aunt (her middle name) and his uncle (his middle name was Valentine) and Ann for my aunt. I don't regret the decision at all and I love her name because it is has some much special meaning.

It is really a decision that you and your husband should feel comfortable with. You need to discuss your feelings about the whole name thing and you need to listen to his feelings. Then come up with a mutual decision together. One night when your both not busy with anything say we need to have a discussion about what we are going to name our child and make sure that this is what we want.

You never know, you could see your child after he/she is born and say they should have a different name instead. Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 10

It is a pain! Official paperwork and forms usually have room for only one middle name or initial. I don't know what to tell your husband... maybe flip a coin or drop Dominic and just use the 2 grandfather's names.

Answer 11

Well The only people i know who have 2 middle names are Catholic..so if you are later when he goes thru confirmation you could use the Grandfathers name then....
Or if you plan on having any other kids you could use one of the others if you have another son..if he wouldnt mind taking those chances on you having another son. that way all your kids could have a family name too
Or you could always Hyphenate it..like Ronald-Thomas
Or..lol Maybe just forget the Dominic part and only use Ronald and Thomas!?
Good Luck