Sorry, I’m sure this has been discussed before, but I am an American, and I never really liked the idea of using two middle names. I just always thought that the flow sounded off. Sure, it sounds nice when you say all three (or more) names together. But, then you still have to add the last name, and I always thought it sounded weird! To my American ear, three names just was complete.
But, like most berries, I just [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] names! And I’m starting to get worried I won’t be able to use all the ones I really like. (What if I only have two daughters instead of four like I always dreamt?) So, I started playing around with making combos with multiple middles, and I actually liked some of them.
I know Brits and maybe others? do this all the time, but with the American standard on forms and such being for only one middle name/initial, I’d love to hear perspectives, especially from other Americans, on using multiple middles. If you’re the kind of person who loves two or middle names and has/will actually use/d them, would you tell me how you came to that decision?
For example, I’ve fallen in love with the name [name_f]Amarantha[/name_f] Laureline [name_f]Hope[/name_f]… That’s a lotta name!
Can anyone convince me that two middles is actually okay/the way to go? Or should I stick with my instincts and only use one?
I’m American, living in the Midwest and I’ve had cousins, ancestors, etc. with double middle names. I like them when the flow is right–especially for girls. I don’t find the length of the name to be an issue at all. One I’d love to use (but probably wouldn’t): [name_f]Ava[/name_f]-[name_f]Valentina[/name_f] [name_f]Alexandra[/name_f] [name_f]Lucrezia[/name_f] [name_f]Raphaela[/name_f] [name_f]Francesca[/name_f] Sebastienne (one-syllable surname).
In Poland you cannot give a baby more than two names, so combos with two (or more) middles always look a little weird to me. But it seems more people have two names rather than only one; I guess some parents would give their children one more name if they could. I think I wouldn’t, even if it was possible, as I was always irritated because of having the longest name in the class (or at least one of the longest) — and my two names plus last name give twenty five letters in total. “[name_f]Amarantha[/name_f] Laureline [name_f]Hope[/name_f]” is not much shorter than that! But if you really like this name, I think it’s completely okay to use it.
I don’t think it is weird at all. We’re American and my husband has two middles. On forms and things, he usually just uses the first middle and that’s all they usually need.
I’m American and know only a few people with double middles, if that, and while it’s uncommon it isn’t bizarre. I think if you can make it work and not sound pretentious/overbearing, it’s totally fine and can actually sound really nice. Especially if one (or both) of the middles has family meaning to justify its use, haha. I do think you need to be careful about varying syllable count and emphasis so it doesn’t get super choppy, though.
[name_f]Amarantha[/name_f] Laureline [name_f]Hope[/name_f] is very pretty, but I agree, it’s a lotta name.
I’m Canadian, but the culture is quite similar with the double MN aspect. I know a surprisingly large number of people with double middles, but mainly because it was a family tradition. However, with my cousins, it was more a matter of just having two people to honour, or liking two names.
As long as the names flow well, then it works fine! For example, I adore [name_f]Myrtle[/name_f] [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] - which I feel flows really well, however I’d never use [name_f]Minnie[/name_f] [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f], because the sounds are too repetitive for me.
[name_f]Amarantha[/name_f] Laureline [name_f]Hope[/name_f] is lovely - but very long. If length doesn’t bother you, I can’t see why it’s an issue!
I’m American and at least where I live and the people I know only have one middle name. But I like the flow of two middle names over just one so I plan to use two when naming kids. I think its more about personal preference, here in the states though. I’ve met people with two middles, no middle, and three or more middles (Which I am not a fan of unless its a cultural/traditional/family/etc. thing)
I love 2 middles , you can just use your first middle initial on forms. Its not a problem at all that is a lot of name, when using 2 names in the middle keep an eye on the syllable count and the flow. I think its a very pretty name.
I have two middle and am American ( one is mothers maiden) and on most form I just don’t use my middle initial at all unless I can put down both initials. I am doing that too with my next child. I’m leaning toward [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_f]Irene[/name_f] [name_u]Kelly[/name_u] or [name_f]Clara[/name_f] [name_f]Irene[/name_f] [name_f]Maria[/name_f] for a girl, but with boys I’m thinking just a first and middle but [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] [name_m]Jose[/name_m] [name_m]Pedro[/name_m] or [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] [name_m]Jose[/name_m] [name_m]Matteo[/name_m] sound nice. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband suggested once to pass on my mother’s maiden name but that’s long and I don’t really feel like doing that even when it’s apart of my name.
I was just about to post something about this! I, too, am American and live in the Midwest. I work in a NICU and it is very rare that we see more than one middle name. I have loved names for as long as I can remember and I am worried I won’t have enough children to use the names I really love! I used to like making two middle name combos but now I worry it is too much. They all sound great when you say them together but then you have to add the surname and I don’t know if it gets to be too long or not… I’m totally confused!
[name_f]Amarantha[/name_f] Laureline [name_f]Hope[/name_f] sounds great by itself but how does it sound when you add a surname?
Those who have used two middles, what are the reactions of other people? I don’t want people to think I’m trying too hard and such. I just love names! Although, I know I shouldn’t care what other people think:)
So… I love these two middle name combos… too much or okay?
[name_m]Finnegan[/name_m] [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] [name_m]Scott[/name_m]/[name_m]Stone[/name_m] W____ (two syllables, rhymes with [name_u]Nike[/name_u] the brand) ([name_m]Scott[/name_m] is honoring)
&
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Griffin[/name_m] [name_m]Bear[/name_m] W_____??
that is a lot of name, when using 2 names in the middle keep an eye on the syllable count and the flow. I think its a very pretty name.