Our first son has the middle name [name_m]Robert[/name_m] (which is the first name of both his grandpas) we are due with #2 soon and my husband would like #2 to also have [name_m]Robert[/name_m] as the middle name. I thought I get opinions on siblings having the same middle name. Weird? Should they each have their own “special name”?
I’ve come across this kind of thing countless times when doing my genealogical research, so it doesn’t seem weird to me. I think that the fact [name_m]Robert[/name_m] is an honor name helps your husband’s case, because it would make total sense to me that someone would want to honor the same person, with different children’s names. Middle names can so often be filler, so it would just be nice to see something used with meaning, not necessarily a ‘special’ name.
Of course, you could try to find another honor name to use. Another male relative, perhaps? Or add another middle name. For example, [name_m]Matthew[/name_m] [name_m]Alan[/name_m] [name_m]Robert[/name_m] adds a bit more name to blend [name_m]Robert[/name_m] into, so it isn’t quite so on the nose that both boys have the same middle.
While it obviously isn’t unheard of, I really dislike it. I’m all for middles being honor names but the [name_m]Roberts[/name_m] have already been honired, surely there are other relatives you’d like to pay tribute to?
I really really hate it, it seems completely thoughtless and pointless but it’s not that unusual, so obviously not everyone feels like that. My dad has the same middle name as one of his brothers. I personally would rather not have a middle name than have to share one with a sibling.
The only instance where I’ve seen it is where both siblings are half-siblings and both have a different last-name.
I do agree with [name_f]Alyssa[/name_f] to keep searching for another name. If not another male relative, maybe a name with the same meaning?
I don’t like the idea of it. It seems a bit lazy even if it is an honoring name being used again. I’d rather see a different honor name as the middle for the second child, or something completely new.
People do it all the time so it’s certainly not strange. I don’t like it though. I think each kid deserves their own name. I also love middle names with meaning and think there’s always someone or something in your life that can be recognized instead of repeating the same honor… it almost dilutes the significance to me. Which I think is the exact opposite of what the parents are going for when they give the middle name to multiple kids.
I’ve heard of parents doing this with surnames.
Honestly, I think it’s fine! I don’t know about you guys but not many people even know my middle name. I just go by my first, so even if my younger sister and I shared a middle name, almost no one would know.
Besides, I have a friend who is one of three boys, and they all have the same first name!
It’s actually kinda sweet too! I mean u have your reasons for naming your son [name_m]Robert[/name_m], and ita kinda fun and quirky for them to have the same middles.
As long as the first names are distinct I think it’s fine.
I can guarantee you, there was nothing thoughtless, lazy, or pointless about giving my children the same middle names. They also have other unique middle names. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you have to like it? Absolutely not. But your judgment crosses the line, frankly, between dislike and disrespectful. My mother in law passed away in the prime of her life, before she met her grandchildren. She was a beloved community member, teacher, musician, and artist. She is dearly missed by her family. And I wanted all my daughters to share a tangible link with her. Is that so thoughtless?
I am also not fond of it. The child is unique - the name should be too.
[name_m]Don[/name_m]'t let him do it. It’s not a good idea. [name_m]How[/name_m] would you feel if you and your siblings all had the same middle name? It’s daft.
It’s a little boring imo but it’s ok if you really like the name you can use it several times, it’s only the middle name after all, the first name is more important.
I’ve heard of this but all the siblings had the same middle? Personally I think it’s no fun and if I were the kid I wouldn’t like it!
It bugs me. It’s not unheard of and was quite common in generations past, but its not something I would personally do for myself. One of my father’s sisters has 5 children. Her husband’s name is [name_u]Michael[/name_u]. Their son’s middle name is [name_u]Michael[/name_u]. Three of their four daughters have the middle name [name_f]Michelle[/name_f], and the fourth has [name_f]Michelle[/name_f] as her first name. That’s obviously excessive. In your case, as it’s only 2 children, it’s not as bad. Perhaps you plan on only having two but I guess I would start here : If you planned more children, or had an unexpected surprise, would you use that name again if it happened to be a boy? If not, why, and would you feel that child was “odd man out” with a different middle name? It really boils down to your preference but it’s definitely not for me! (I actually really like the name [name_m]Robert[/name_m], it’s just the two kids with the same middle that wouldn’t work for me)
Oh also, congratulations! Ugh I always feel like my posts sound mean when I don’t like an idea, I swear I’m not trying to!
I have the same middle name as all 5 of my siblings, but it is my moms last name, since she didn’t take my dads last name
It’s something I didn’t hear before but I think they should have different middle names - maybe a similar name like [name_m]Richard[/name_m] or [name_m]Roland[/name_m]?
I really don’t like the idea of having to share a middle name (it makes the name feel less “special”, though I am one to assign a whole lot of meaning to names). If you must, perhaps a similar name or variant like [name_m]Rupert[/name_m] or [name_u]Robin[/name_u] might work?