[name_m]How[/name_m] far can one reasonably push a middle name?
For example, if one wanted to use something like [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] or Galahad, is it too over the top? What about something really out there like RockN’[name_m]Roll[/name_m]?
After all, most people don’t really use their middle name. Are these still too much if it has a special reason behind it? Does it matter if the first name is straight laced or not?
I’d say nothing you wouldn’t give yourself as a middle name.
Most people I know do use their middle name on a fairly regular basis. I think middle names can be a bit daring, but should probably be something the kid wouldn’t be too embarrassed to use at various points in his life. Perhaps he’d like [name_m]Rock[/name_m]‘n’[name_m]Roll[/name_m] as a 4 year old, but mortified to have to admit to it as a 30 year old professional. I think if one can easily see someone going through the hassle of making their middle name just an initial, the name is probably too much and shouldn’t be used. [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] and Galahad seem perfectly fine for middles.
Great advice!
In my case, I plan to give my hypothetical children one family middle name and one kind of out-there middle name - something that I adore but that I feel would be hard to wear as a first name where I live. To use your example, if I loved [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] or Galahad I’d put them in that spot.
I think it’s key, though, not to just toss an unusual middle name in for the sake of looking creative or unique - at the end of the day, someone else is running around with this name, not you. For example, I hate when parents give their children the middle name [name_m]Danger[/name_m], as a play on “danger is my middle name” - I think they think it looks funny and clever, but once everyone’s had their initial laugh about it, it looks silly. Apart from it being kind of a joke in the first place, the child could turn out to be a meek, low-key person, so “[name_m]Danger[/name_m]” looks even sillier on them. To me, [name_m]Rock[/name_m]‘n’[name_m]Roll[/name_m] as a middle name would be silly, like [name_m]Danger[/name_m], but [name_m]Merlin[/name_m] and Galahad, being actual names with interesting, rich histories, would be absolutely OK.