We are adopting 2 little ones from Ethiopia (hopefully sooner rather than later) and I think we’ve decided on names, and for sentimental reasons have given both babies 2 middle names. When I told my mother this, she flipped out and went on an on about how complicated it would be for them to have 2 middles.
I was thinking that we would put both middles on their social security cards and such, and they could just use one middle on non-official forms that only allow for one middle initial.
For those of you who have 2 middle names, or who have children with 2 middles, would this work? Has it been an issue for you? Would you give future children 2 middles after your experience?
Thanks so much for your help!
I have two middles and I love them, but the only official document they are on is my birth certificate and that kind of bums me out actually. I’m in [name]Canada[/name] so we have social insurance cards, basically your ss and when I got it I only used my first initial because that was how it was on my health card because my second middle was too long I guess, and so when I got my passport I only got to use the first initial too. I know some will say its a hassle to have two but really it has never been an issue for me or my 3 siblings or my mom, other then not getting to have them on my passport like I wanted. My sister has both her’s on everything but her’s are shorter names. I don’t know if this was helpful at all. 
Congratulations on the babies.
Oh, and I am planning on giving my future children two middles.
Thanks ashlee. That is helpful. Does anyone know how many letters will fit on a US social security card? Our girl’s name is fairly long and I am nervous that we would run into trouble with it on official doc’s. Thanks!
I have two middles, but they are also only both on my birth certificate. I know you can fit at least 23 letters on a SS card as that is what I have on mine. If we didn’t have a hefty combined last name, I would consider two middle names for our babe.
I [name]LOVE[/name] having two middle names! I have never had any complications with such a long name (besides that my credit card is missing the last letter of my last name) I think my SIN card probably has my first name, both middle initials, and last name. My license has my full name. My passport has neither middle names (fiancé insisted on that one). On forms there is a box for middle initial, I squeeze them both in…and most of the time they both get entered, sometimes just the first. I fully intend on giving my children two middle names, however the fiancé is dead-set against it. I don’t get it. He says it’s stupid. But I love having two middle names. If I only had one middle name, it would sound weird and choppy and just plain wrong. If you are going the 2 middle name route it has to have a good flow and rhythm of course.
I have two middles and I think it’s lovely. [name]Both[/name] are on my SS card, my license and on legal documents, but on a lot of forms that only allow one initial, the first is the only one that is used, which has never bothered me.
The only problem I can see is it fitting on documents. My cousin has two mn and his SS card has only half of his second mn because of space issues.
[name]One[/name] of my kiddos has 2 middle names, and like the others they were chosen with meaning. [name]Both[/name] his social security card and birth certificate contain the names. Anytime we fill out paper work he is [name]Linus[/name] E. [name]Moore[/name] since there isn’t often an extra square for a second mn, but that isn’t something that really concerns me since his name is unusual enough. At our peds office etc he is usually in their system by one middle name. So far, the other kids and him do not make a fuss. They know the meanings behind their middle names so maybe it helps that they feel their names were chosen in such love, not sure. We do not plan to give the babe currently baking 2 middle names either.
My brother has two middles, he is 25 yrs old and has never had a problem. For most forms he just uses one of his middle initials. My father let him choose which initial to use when there was only room for one. My brother picked his second middle name initial and he hasn’t had any issues with that either! So he is J.R.G.A. and uses the initials J.G.A.
Also, when I got married I moved my maiden name to the middle name spot giving me two middles. No problems so far! It’s only been about 4 months.
My name is now 7 7 5 7 = 26 letters and it all fits on my social security card. My last name is on a second line but it’s all there.
Your mom is definitely over-reacting.
I have two middles, and a double barreled surname. So five names in total. And it’s the double-barreled surname that gives me trouble, NOT my two middles.
I’ve never ever had an issue with them. On my health card I only have the first middle’s initial on there rather than both, and I’ve never had issues with using it or anything.
I have two middle names and have never seen why people tell you not to give your child more than one middle name. There’s nothing wrong with it, it is not too long, and I hardly ever write it all out except on forms, and never say it out loud really… I think it is completely fine, so go for it.
I used to have a first name and three family names. 30 letters all in all. So annoying trying to fit it all in when having to use my full name. So I had one erased (for other reasons too).
I think it would be fine to give your children two middle names. After all they can change it themselves if it bothers them as adults.
Most of my family has 2 middles. Nobody has had any problems. My future children will have 2 middles to carry on the tradition
I think it’s fabulous and fun. [name]Don[/name]'t worry about legal documention and initials- just one for that- but there will be many other times you can use them.