I’ve always hated my first name. It was really popular when I was born and I’ve known so many. I spent my childhood trying to go by my middle name (Ann) …unsuccessfully as people default to using what’s on paperwork and back then it wasn’t as socially acceptable to say my name is this but I want to be called that.
Since then I thought I had found the perfect name until people starting shortening it to something atrocious and I discovered nickname anxiety is valid! LOL
Now I’ve settled on Tricia (thanks Harvest Endellion for the idea). The outdated factor is a moot point. I’m in my 30s. And I wouldn’t hate being called Trish.
The problem is I don’t love Ann or any other middle names. Would it be too weird to forgo a middle name altogether?
For those who think changing my name is weird, I don’t have any close family and I’m relocating and changing jobs so there aren’t many people to have to adjust to the new name. I also got out of an abusive relationship a while back and feel like I would benefit from the mental refresh.
EDIT: Im in the United States so there are definitely more people with one than without. Feel free to suggest middle names if you feel inspired
No. I had a friend growing up who legally dropped his middle name and changed his surname when his dad walked out of the family. He had no trouble with it, though he had some questions during the personal share time and middle names came up.
I mean, I live in a country where middles aren’t a thing. I know several people with two first names (only one with a hyphen), but as far as I know there is not slot for a middle name. Some people also have [name_u]Christian[/name_u] names that they received when they were baptised, but those aren’t listed on any official documents, such as ID, driver’s license, etc.
No, I don’t think dropping your middle name would be weird. Perhaps unusual for your georgpahical location, but plenty of people in this world don’t have a middle name. Besides, who even cares if you have one or not other than you?
I don’t think not having one is weird. I’ve come across online forms though that consider the middle name required information, which can be quite awkward if you don’t have one. But if you don’t want one, I wouldn’t pick one just because of that.
The only reason to have a middle name, aside from liking it, is to help differentiate you from people who might share your first and last name. Sort of a technical reason that may or may not matter. If you have a common last name Id probably choose a middle name but its not necessary of course. Id choose whatever made life easier.
I don’t think a middle name is necessary at all! Plus, you’re pass the age where people would think it strange! [name_f]My[/name_f] 13 year old sister doesn’t have one and the most it’s ever come up is with her fellow middle schoolers!
[name_f]Glad[/name_f] you’re getting a fresh start!
There are lots of people without middle names in the U.S. It’s not a problem at all.
If you feel like you need one for formalities, here’s some options:
If you don’t love [name_f]Ann[/name_f], or any variation or either your first or middle name, and there are no other middles names you like, just skip having a middle name. I don’t think it would be a problem at all. Very few people know my middle name, and normally it’s just in talking about names or something and someone says “what’s your middle name?” It wouldn’t be hard, if you ever found yourself in that position to just say “I don’t have one”. Easy. I know a couple people with no middle name.
If you were asking for a child, I would say it’s a courtesy to give them a middle name, in case they’d like to go by that or identified better with that name. But if it’s for yourself, just let it go.
I’ve actually read in an article that people with middle names are more successful. Here’s an exert if interested “study published in the ‘European Journal of Social Psychology’ , which found that people using a middle initial are held in higher esteem.”
In the military they make you sign N.M.I for no middle initial, so it’s my vote to have a middle name. I have a lot of naming anxiety so I’ve read so many articles! I love the middle name Rose or Fae, but with Tricia, I might go with Isobel or Ross. Maybe a nod to your family?
I know plenty of people with no middles, and I also know plenty of people who solely have a middle initial. (aka [name_u]Robert[/name_u] D. [name_m]Smith[/name_m], but D is just a D, no other name attached) so I don’t think it’s weird or problematic to forego a middle name.
This is pretty much the reason we have middle names at this point. You are less likely to be a victim of identity theft if you have a middle name as it’s just one more step to differentiate you and other people. It’s not necessary though.
Up to you if you want a middle or now. I’d give a kid a middle name for more options but this is for yourself. [name_u]Happy[/name_u] naming, [name_f]Tricia[/name_f]!
