[name_m]How[/name_m] many names is too many names? lol I just keep thinking that if this baby is my last Im gonna be so sad not to use the other girl names I love. She already has a hyphenated first name, would giving her two middle names be overkill? I know my husband probably thinks so but he talked me out of giving my twins hyphenated first names or double middle names and I’ve always regretted it, so I’m not listening to him lol
Personally, my 3 names have always been enough to me, though now, I kind of have 4 (though not legally) as I got married and took my husbands last name without giving up mine, which will probably become a second middle (haven’t done it legally yet as I live in a foreign country and can’t easily do it from here).
That being said, I think my upper limit would be 4. Whether that is hyphenated first, double middle or last. I think there needs to be a limit for a few reasons. What happens if you daughter gets married and wants to hyphenate a last name with her husband, now she has 5 names which is a handful already, what if you had given her 5 or 6 to start with. Practically, it is also A LOT to write when filling out forms of any kind, sometimes there isn’t even enough space.
I think my most important reason though, is that choosing a name is a big responsibility and you want to choose something that is truly special. To me, having more names just makes it feel like none of the names were special enough to stand alone and instead of going for quality, you went for quantity. I think too many names just because you wanted to use all of the names you love would give this feel along with being confusing to a child.
Also, want to say I’m not picking on double middles at all, I think most parents who choose to use two middles put a lot of time and thoughtfulness into choosing their child’s name. I am just pointing out that there has to be a limit and more is not always better.
I personally only do a first, middle, and last, but I think 4 names is plenty. My oldest niece has a first name, 2 middle names, and 2 last names (she is in Mexico). My husband has a first, middle, and two last names. Anything more than 4 and its just too much.
If the baby will have only one last name, then a first and two middle should be fine. I wouldn’t do more than that.
I only have a first and middle name. My name is 3 syllables total, and I kind of like it that way. Why do you regret not using more names in your older kid’s names? The names feel like they’re missing something or you just want to use all the names you love? There are SO many amazing names in the world, I wish you the best with this hard decision.
I am pretty traditional and am not a fan of the recent trend in giving double middle names. I think a first, middle, and last is plenty unless there’s a really good reason. That being said, I would count a hyphenated name as just one so that would mean three names I guess. Four would be ok, but definitely no more than that in my opinion.
It’s all very cultural, I believe that this notion of "too many names’ is very American. Most Continental European families give their kids at least 2 last names (mother & father). [name_u]An[/name_u] additional last name is added after marriage. I went o school with kids that had up to 6 last names. Where I’m from when someone has just one last name it’s assumed they were raised by a single mom and likely came from a very humble background.
[name_f]My[/name_f] opinion is that it only matters what you and your husband like because clearly there is no right and wrong.