So we are having a little girl in [name]March[/name] and we were pretty settled on [name]Eleanor[/name] [name]West[/name] Lastname.
But these past few days I keep coming back to [name]Magnolia[/name]. It was one of the last names we crossed off and I love it, but I dont think I would ever use it as a first name. Im scared we may not have another girl to use it on and I’m not sure I’m ready to let it go completely.
I like the sound of [name]Eleanor[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] [name]West[/name] Lastname but I’m not sure how feasible it is in real life. [name]Do[/name] any of you or your little ones have two middle names? Is it ever an issue when filling out forms and paperwork? [name]Do[/name] people think it is strange?
[name]One[/name] of my daughter’s has two middle names…I had trouble “letting go” of either one, so we used both. It has never been an issue whatsoever, and has not created any additional headache/trouble/etc at all! I don’t think people find it strange, the only thing we have received are compliments. And strangers have no idea if she has one or two middles, anyway.
Double middles really bother me. From what I understand, it’s the cultural norm in the UK and other areas of the world, but here in [name]America[/name], I find it extremely pretentious and obnoxious. Like, “our little angel is just too special to have only [name]ONE[/name] middle name like all those other kids!” kind of sentiment. There’s just no need for it, either. No one hears or uses the kid’s middle name anyway.
[name]Eleanor[/name] [name]West[/name] is positively lovely. Stick with that.
I respectively disagree with the pp. I think having two middle names can be a great thing. It is unique in a good way so long as they aren’t too much of a mouthful and have a nice flow and meaning. Growing up I had a friend with two middle names and I was always a little( ok maybe REALLY really) envious. If you love it then go for it! I don’t find it weird or pretentious at all. My only concern is that having [name]West[/name] at the end of [name]Eleanor[/name] [name]Magnolia[/name] will make it sound like you have a hyphenated surname since [name]West[/name] is very surnamey. But if that isn’t an issue for you, who cares?
I just find it completely pointless and unnecessary. I don’t have a problem or am annoyed by it, just I don’t see the point to it. You hardly use one, why bother with two?
I also view it as a royal thing since it’s a common thing for royal and noble families to do and thus it does come off as a little pretentious.
Two middle names is not the cultural norm in the UK whatsoever (I am from the UK…nobody in my family even has middle names) but regardless of that, I still think its fine and can actually be interesting. I only know one person who has two middle names and I always thought it made her name very interesting.
Plus as PP’s have said - middle names are not something that ever HAVE to be used or disclosed. When filling in forms etc, it is perfectly acceptable to just use initials in most cases if that’s easier for the name bearer.
I would never think it pretentious or obnoxious, or assume the reasoning had anything to do with thinking your child is too special for just one middle - I would more likely assume that its because the parents had trouble settling on one or the other for whatever reason.
I plan on giving my son two middle names to honour both of his grandfathers - After all, he may be the only child I ever have and why should I have to decide which grandfather most deserves to be honoured when I could just honour both?!
This exactly. I have two middle names and 90% its not a problem. But my second middle name is my mother’s maiden name and I’ve had problems with documents where someone mistook it for my last name.
It isn’t as far as I know. It might have been in the past as a lot of the people on my family tree have two middles but in modern [name]Britain[/name] I’d find it unusual (though definitely not unheard of) if someone had two middle names.
[name]Edit[/name]: People posted before me. I agree with the double barrelled surname issue.
I’ve never understood why, but the topic of one vs two middle names tends to receive some of the most judgmental, crabby responses. I try to give posters the benefit of the doubt because someone’s tone can be easily misinterpreted on the web, but sheesh…
Anyway, I do know a guy with two middle names. I asked him about his experiences once, and basically what he told me is that 1) he rarely has to write his full name out and 2) it isn’t difficult to use both middle names on a legal form. [name]Just[/name] write small or use initials.
If I could share his full name with everyone I would. It’s a wonderful name. When done correctly, two middle names can add so much class to a name. Middle names are personal, and I’ve always felt like if they don’t have any meaning to you… why use one at all? I think it’s important to ask yourself this: WHY do I love the name [name]Magnolia[/name]? [name]Will[/name] I truly regret not using [name]Magnolia[/name] if I don’t have another daughter?
I find some of the negative responses towards it rather judgmental and borderline rude.
I have two middle names, and it’s because 1) My father insisted on the first one, and it would’ve been my first name but my mother WOULD NOT allow it (thank god), 2) My mother wanted to have a family name there.
It’s not an issue in my life to have two, everyone who finds out things it’s awesome, and I’ve loved having two. I’d feel incomplete if I had to go to one middle name now.
It’s my double barrelled surname that’s the pain! (Yes, I have five names in total)
Two middle names are awesome! And yours flow together nicely. If you can’t let go of it, do it!! [name]Don[/name]'t let yourself regret it later on. And I don’t think it’s pretentious at all. I will be doing 2 middle names (as per tradition in my family) but even if it wasn’t tradition I would do it. My brother has 2 middle names and he’s had no problems. I don’t get why some people hate it so much. I once dated a guy with 15 middle names. Yes, 15. Lol. They didn’t fit on any of his documents. That would be a problem. Lol.
We are expecting in [name]May[/name] and I’ve been thinking about the same thing. Thanks for asking this question, it’s interesting to read everyone’s responses.
My advice to you: follow your heart & don’t be distracted by other peoples’ opinions. <3 Best of luck.
This. I wouldn’t really worry about the opinions of others on this. My daughter has two middles and the only people who know that are family and close friends. There were several reasons she ended up with two, and none of them have anything to do with thinking our daughter is too special for just one. Ultimately, who cares if you have two middles or three, or none? Every document I’ve filled out thus far has either had enough room for both middles, or hasn’t required me to use both.