What is the point of middle names?

The historical purpose of middle names is to honour a relative or another person, particularly a godparent, or even a completely unrelated person, such as a locally or nationally prominent figure.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


What is the purpose of your middle name?

Today, as Wilson notes, middle names serve much the same purposes they always have: they're a way to keep family names going and thus preserve relationships; they're a way to try something new or “put old names out to grass” without cutting the cord entirely.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on time.com


What is the point of 2 middle names?

Traditionally, the British upper class has used multiple names to indicate family connections, even going so far as changing surnames to reflect these bonds. In France, it is normal for citizens to have multiple middle names, though all names except the surname are referred to as “first names” on official documents.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blogs.ancestry.com


Do Catholics get a second middle name?

In many Catholic traditions, the person being confirmed chooses a new name, one to be added to his or her name (kind of like a second middle name). According to the Catholic Encyclopedia: the name is the name of a saint, chosen by the person to be confirmed and imposed by the bishop in Confirmation.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on namenerds.com


Is having 2 middle names too much?

Two middle names is fine. But don't just use every name you love, or you'll be stuck if you ever have another girl. Both our dc have 2 middle names (2nd for each is my maiden name). Our surname is only one syllable but we'd have done the same had it been longer.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mumsnet.com


Why Do We Have Middle Names?



Are middle names necessary?

You absolutely do not need to choose a middle name when deciding on a baby name. Middle names are optional. You can simply choose a baby name with a first name and last name if you so desire. That said, it is more common than not to have a middle name.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on familyeducation.com


Is middle name mandatory in USA?

In the 20th century, the use of middle names, especially one's mother's maiden name, was more widely adopted, although it is by no means mandatory.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org


Why do last names exist?

Surnames were originally added to people's first names to distinguish them from other people who had the same first name locally e.g. Robert the baker or Robert at the wood.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on english-heritage.org.uk


What is the oldest last name in recorded history?

The oldest surname known to have been recorded anywhere in Europe, though, was in County Galway, Ireland, in the year 916. It was the name “O Cleirigh” (O'Clery). Enter your last name to learn its meaning and origin.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blogs.ancestry.com


What is the oldest name still in use?

Alexandra/Alexander is one of the oldest widely used names. It was used in Mycaenean culture and appears in Hittite records.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on reddit.com


What names are forbidden?

Banned baby names in the United States, around the world
  • King.
  • Queen.
  • Jesus Christ.
  • III.
  • Santa Claus.
  • Majesty.
  • Adolf Hitler.
  • Messiah.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fox8.com


Can I name my kid Jesus?

Some people wonder whether they can name their child a number or a trademark, or emoji. Although there are certain states with no naming laws at all —such as Kentucky— in most states, these names would be prohibited. Here are some examples of illegal names in the United States: Jesus Christ.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on usbirthcertificates.com


Is your middle name part of your legal name?

Given name and Family name

Since a person's middle name(s) or suffix is not considered part of the legal name by SSA, a middle name shown as part of the given name or a suffix shown as part of the family name can be omitted or entered in the middle name and suffix fields of the Enumeration system.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on secure.ssa.gov


Why is middle name not important?

“A middle name is not legally necessary. Most of us probably know someone without one,” said Sherri Suzanne, a baby name consultant who founded My Name for Life. “Parents who struggle to find one name needn't feel pressured to come up with two.”
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on huffpost.com


What happens if you don't have a middle name?

A middle name doesn't effect a tax return. The IRS only looks at the first 4 letters of the last name. Since you do not have a middle name you would not enter anything.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ttlc.intuit.com


Can I remove my middle name?

To legally change any part of the name on a birth certificate, an individual must follow the laws and procedures in her state. In most states, this requires the person to file a petition for name change with the court in the county where she lives. Every state will have slightly different requirements and procedures.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on legalbeagle.com


What names are illegal in the US?

Regardless here is a handful of names that were ruled illegal by courts within the US.
  • King.
  • Queen.
  • Jesus Christ.
  • III.
  • Santa Claus.
  • Majesty.
  • Adolf Hitler.
  • Messiah.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on wfla.com


Can you name your child a swear word?

Derogatory or obscene names are banned in California. Only the 26 characters of the English alphabet are allowed, which rules out umlauts and others.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thebump.com


What names are illegal in Canada?

According to the province, "Greek letters, Inuit letters, Arabic script or Kanji are not acceptable." Pictograms, codes, hieroglyphics, numbers, symbols, slashes, commas and more are banned.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on narcity.com


Can I name my kid Shrek?

This famous name cannot be used in the United States to honor your child. It is protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, but there are some restrictions in most states that are no surprise.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on shrekthemusical.co.uk


Can you name your child a number?

"In California, you can only use the '26 characters' of the English language in your baby name," he said. "Thus, you can't have numbers, Roman numerals, accents, umlauts or other symbols or emojis.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on instyle.com


What names are illegal in UK?

Illegal baby names in the UK
  • Martian.
  • Monkey.
  • Chow Tow (which means 'Smelly Head')
  • Rogue.
  • Akuma (in Japanese it mean 'Devil'
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on planetradio.co.uk


What's the most rarest name?

Both Dua and Lipa made the cut. You can learn a lot about what's going on in the world based on what people are naming their babies.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bustle.com


Who was the first named human?

Kushim is the earliest known example of a named person in writing. The name "Kushim" is found on the Kushim Tablet, an Uruk period (c. 3400–3000 BC) clay tablet used to record transactions of barley. It is uncertain if the name refers to an individual, a generic title of an officeholder, or an institution.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on en.wikipedia.org