Why do we have middle names?

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.

What is a purpose of a middle name?

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.

Why did middle names originate?

Middle names began to find favor among wealthy extended families in the late 1700s. Aristocratic families increasingly began giving their children two names, so that by the time of the Revolution a quite small but traceable number of southerners carried middle names, mainly those from upper-class families.

Is middle name 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.

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.

Why Do We Have Middle Names?

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.

Are middle names an American thing?

The tradition was spread to America as people started to immigrate overseas. As time went on, people started to stray away from religious middle names and get creative with the second name of their child. A common tradition was making the middle name the maiden name of the mother.

Is middle name mandatory in USA?

While there is no strict rule about how many middle names a citizen can have in the US, there are limitations to the number of characters in a name in certain states. Numerical digits are prohibited by naming laws in several states.

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.

Why do people have middle names UK?

Middle names began appearing in late Medieval times. In England, they were reserved for the nobility, with an old law making them illegal for the rest of the population. Since the Pilgrims and many early settlers came from England, early Americans followed the tradition of having only two names.

Why do the British say our before a name?

This usage is/was common in parts of England, mainly northern England as far as I'm aware. The "our" is effectively referring to 'our family'. In the examples given from Keeping Up Appearences, the words are usually being spoken by Rose's mother or father, and hence "our Rose" would refer to their (joint) daughter.

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.

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.

What names are forbidden?

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.

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.

Why do Southerners go by their middle name?

The best explanation seems to stem from Southerners' penchant for keeping a name going down the line, especially for males. You end up with John Smith Jr., III, and IV in one family, and calling a child by his middle name is an easy way to distinguish between him and his father.

Can you have 2 middle names?

It's never been a common practice in the U.S. to give two middle names. With today's digitized records, it's become a bit of a bureaucratic mess for those who have four (or more) initials to deal with.

Does middle name mean father?

In the Indian context the middle name is usually your father's first name or another first name that you have. If this is the case your last name will be a family name or the name of the caste you belong to. However, in south India it is common for parents to give the father's first name as the child's last name.

Can you legally have one name?

There is no law preventing you from being known by a single name, or mononym — that is, a surname only, with no forenames — and HM Passport Office should accept such a name, although they may be more sceptical of your application.

Is there a person without a last name?

Many Afghans have no surname. It is also common to have no surname in Bhutan, Indonesia, Myanmar, and South India. Javanese names traditionally are mononymic, especially from people of older generations.

Do you have to put your middle name on your passport?

Answer: It's is not mandatory to enter your middle name on the application form. The passport will be issued in the name you entered in it as long as it is supported by the name change document you submitted.

Did Jesus have a wife?

"Christian tradition has long held that Jesus was not married, even though no reliable historical evidence exists to support that claim," King said in a press release.