Middle names often pay respect to someone in the family or are used in the hope of providing protection or positive character traits for the individual.
To answer the question of why we have middle names more profoundly, it’s worth looking at the work of researchers who have traced the evolution of middle names worldwide. Their work shows us that middle names serve many purposes and vary according to location, historical period, and social status.
Whether your middle name is ornamental or full of historical significance and inspiration depends on cultural traditions and personal preferences. Ultimately, middle names can add depth and meaning to a person’s identity, connecting them to their heritage and family history in a unique way.
The Function Middle Names Serve
Middle names can ensure we’re referring to or dealing with the correct person. There are many John Smiths in England, for example, but far fewer John Archibald Smiths.
In formal situations and official arenas, such as filling out legal documents, registering a new address, or renewing an important piece of ID, it’s fairly common to be asked for your middle name or middle initial.
Middle names can also enrich our understanding of who people are and how they fit into society.
Middle Names Spread Around the World
In the US and many other parts of the world today, middle names are common.
In Roman times, we can see people with three names. However, the meaning of these names was a bit different than ours.
The Romans used the following system:
- Praenomen – personal name
- Nomen – family name
- Cognomen – a nickname that explained an attribute. Later this name told people which branch of a family you were from. Some aristocratic families used several of these names to fully express their lineage.
Not everyone had middle names or they weren’t in use for the entirety of the Roman empire. Exceptions include women, who tended to have a personal name and a family name, and slaves, who often had just one name.
After falling out of usage, it’s likely that middle names first saw a resurgence in popularity in 13th-century Italy. Again, the use of middle names began to be more common among the more privileged classes, spreading to others over the next hundred or so years.
In Italy, these names were often the names of saints, the idea being that they would have protective properties for the bearers.
The trend moved to Spain and France. In France, in the first decade of the 1900s, more than half of the boys born were given just one first name. By the end of the century, however, almost half had one middle name and nearly a quarter of boys had two.
According to an analysis of Presbyterian records from more than 62,000 Scottish-born children between 1680 and 1839, middle names exploded in popularity after 1780, when almost all children in the study had middle names.
By the 19th century, middle names were common in Europe and the US. Extra names were not only trendy; people found additional names useful.
The Importance of Middle Names
Middle names are not just about memorable names that roll off the tongue or make you sound smarter. Many people use their given and middle names at different life stages. They provide people with the opportunity to recreate themself, shift identity, or enjoy different personas.
Names also have associations. Many people with middle names are named after someone else in their history or family tree to keep the memory of a loved one alive or to show respect to someone important, powerful, or otherwise influential.
Sometimes a name is passed on by tradition. The firstborn son, for example, might be named after the father. A middle name is often a good place to put this name. In some communities, there was a tradition that the first child to be baptized by a new clergyman would take their name.
One of the good things about middle names is that the child can dispense with a traditional first name when he or she is older and call him or herself by one of their other names, without having to change their name legally and risk upsetting family members.
From the 1900s onwards, it became increasingly common for women to keep their maiden names. They would attach them to their new surname, leading to double-barrel names, but sometimes this also took the form of a middle name.
And so, middle names are frequently used to preserve family lineage, memories, and tradition, pointing to relationships and branches of a family.
While for the less traditional, they can also be a way of trying new things. Increasingly, inspiring people are found in fiction, explaining the peak in popularity of names like Hermione (a name of Greek origin made popular by the Harry Potter series) or Daenerys (a Welsh name popularised by Game of Thrones).
Family Names
When searching for someone, their surname is indispensable. It identifies specific individuals more clearly than a forename alone.
Family names are a key tool for genealogists wishing to trace a family through history. The surname identifies a community and significant branches of a family.
First Names or Given Names
A personal given name becomes critical when you want to identify a particular individual within a group, the group being identified by the surname.
A first name is more than just an identifier though. Parents often choose first names in the hope of giving their offspring a significant name that suggests a positive trait, such as a saint’s name in traditional Christian societies, or reminds them of someone inspiring, whether real or fictional.
It’s increasingly common now for first names to be a personal choice, not because they belonged to a family member. Parents are often surprised to discover the true origins of such first names, such as when unwittingly choosing traditional Christian names like Lydia, Miriam, or Martha.
Sometimes parents can’t choose just one name or they may not agree on which forename is the best, and so middle names then come into the fore to do some of the work.
Middle Names
In some cultures, naming conventions necessitate at least two given names to tell people apart. Sikh men must have Singh (meaning lion) as a middle name, while Sikh women must have Kaur (meaning princess).
In Spanish societies, it was common to have all of a family’s daughters named Maria, differentiating between them with different middle names.
A middle name is often used to preserve a mother’s maiden name. Since the Western naming convention is to take the father’s surname in a child’s legal name, a middle name can be used to preserve the mother’s surname.
When it comes to finding people or tracing someone’s history, middle names are invaluable. Middle names help genealogists trace family histories and they are particularly useful when the individual has a popular first name and a common surname.
The example that comes to mind is John Smith, which is often used as a placeholder name in the US. Smith is currently the most common surname in the British population and has spread to many other countries.
Finding a particular John Smith can be extremely challenging, which is where a middle name can save the day. Using a search site or service that will allow a middle name search will filter out many names that are irrelevant, saving you hours, tears, and grey hair.
By punching the full name including the middle name into Nuwber’s massive database of US citizens, you can disregard false positives and identify a specific individual much faster.
Popular First and Middle Name Combinations
If you’re looking for a middle name for your kid or just wondering about the most popular ones, we’ve prepared a list of pretty first and middle baby name combinations for you. There’s sure to be something on this list that catches your eye.
| First and Middle Names for Boys |
|---|
| Albert Blake |
| Archie James |
| Benjamin Tate |
| Benson Scott |
| Blaine Andrew |
| Caleb Cole |
| Carter Ezra |
| Charles Rupert |
| Cooper Nolan |
| David Michael |
| Dennis William |
| Dexter Cameron |
| Dwight Michael |
| Dylan James |
| Eli Jonas |
| Elijah Dorian |
| Emerson Phoenix |
| Ethan Andrew |
| Felix Cove |
| Finlay Ethan |
| Finn Gregory |
| Freddie Quinn |
| George Theodore |
| Grayson Finn |
| Gregory Oliver |
| Harrison Colt |
| Harvey Lochlan |
| Heath James |
| Hunter Maddox |
| Jack Ezra |
| James Paxton |
| Jasper Hendrix |
| Jaxon Hunter |
| Jenson Arlo |
| Jonah Brett |
| Jonathan Duke |
| Joshua Aiden |
| Kaden Bowie |
| Kevin Stanley |
| Kurt Morton |
| Lawrence David |
| Lincoln Oliver |
| Logan Atlas |
| Lucas Arthur |
| Luka Bryce |
| Mason Alexander |
| Michael Gary |
| Milo West |
| Nate Isaac |
| Noah Riley |
| Oliver Adam |
| Oscar James |
| Philip Roger |
| Preston Grey |
| Robert David |
| Rowan Albert |
| Scott Rudolph |
| Sean Killian |
| Sebastian David |
| Seth Alexander |
| Tate Sloane |
| Theodore Joseph |
| Thomas Matthew |
| Tyler Elliott |
| Valentine Luke |
| Winston Alexander |
| Xavier Noah |
| Wallace Scott |
| Waylon Robert |
| Zachary Brayden |
| First and Middle Names for Girls |
|---|
| Abigail Lorna |
| Addy Marie |
| Allegra Christine |
| Alice Elizabeth |
| Alora Noelle |
| Amelia Ivy |
| Amelie Fleur |
| Amy Beth |
| Angela Anne |
| Aurelia Lilac |
| Autumn Joy |
| Ava Katherine |
| Avery Rae |
| Ayla Rosalie |
| Brooklyn Lila |
| Camilla Dae |
| Cordelia Faye |
| Daley Rae |
| Darcey Wren |
| Della Faye |
| Eden Soleil |
| Elisa Claire |
| Elizabeth Alexandra |
| Elsie Skye |
| Emily Eve |
| Evelyn Harlow |
| Fiona Bailey |
| Fleur Quinn |
| Florence Leah |
| Freya Estelle |
| Georgia Rose |
| Gina Ava |
| Harper Avery |
| Hillary Violet |
| Imogen Belle |
| India Rose |
| Ivana Joy |
| Jennifer Marie |
| Jessica Grace |
| Lily Terese |
| Linda Deborah |
| Madeleine Harper |
| Mara Lynn |
| Matilda Faith |
| Margot Juliet |
| Maxine Ruth |
| Meredith Maria |
| Mia Grace |
| Michelle Darlene |
| Mila Beatrice |
| Olivia Jade |
| Ophelia May |
| Paige Aurora |
| Pamela Irene |
| Penelope Olive |
| Poppy Louise |
| Rosa Georgene |
| Ruby Jean |
| Scarlett Isabelle |
| Sophie Amelie |
| Sienna Ruby |
| Summer Rae |
| Tallulah Jane |
| Tiffany Rose |
| Victoria Madeline |
| Violet June |
| Vivian Stella |
| Willa Jade |
| Willow Belle |
| Zara Victoria |
In Conclusion: The Benefits of Middle Names
So, middle names are wildly popular in the West. They are not essential, but they do come with some major benefits.
They distinguish individuals. When it comes to function, one of the greatest advantages of having a middle name is that it distinguishes you from other people with the same first and last name.
Maintain genealogy. Families provide links to their genealogy through naming conventions.
Inspire and add character. Many parents name their children based on an idea of their character, whether that is what they are or what they may become. A name can be a defining feature of how they proceed in life, especially when they have a particularly strong or unusual name.
Offer choice. A middle name gives people the option to use different names in different places or at varying stages of their lives, which allows individuals to present themselves in ways that best suit their professional and personal contexts. American politicians, for example, often used their middle names or initials to distinguish themselves.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, used his middle name to create a distinct and memorable identity. Another example is John Fitzgerald Kennedy, popularly known as JFK, whose middle name added a formal touch to his public persona.
Whatever the reasoning, middle names give others useful clues as to your identity. They tell people about you and about the people who named you. They suggest your heritage and your aspirations.
And with more than 8.1 billion people on the planet, having more names might be the least we can do to help people find us and tell us apart!
FAQ
What is the purpose of middle names?
Middle names traditionally maintain links to other family members in the family and genealogy. They also often have traditional associations with religion, such as saints’ names for protection or positive virtues the name may impact on an individual.
Middle names also help people identify individuals in an increasing population. Name choices are increasingly based on fashion and popular culture, such as naming a child after an inspiring sportsperson or fictional character.
Do you really need a middle name?
No, it’s not a legal requirement to have a middle name in the West. So, why do we have middle names at all? Among other benefits, having one or two middle names can be useful to differentiate a child from people with the same first and last names.
What are the benefits of having a middle name?
As well as making someone easier to identify, a well-chosen middle name can help a person develop their sense of identity. When chosen to strengthen family links or to tie to an inspiring individual, a middle name can help that person feel like part of something bigger.
Why do middle names vary across cultures?
Middle names vary across cultures due to differences in traditions, historical influences, and social norms. In some cultures, middle names may honor family heritage, religious beliefs, or even societal status.
For instance, in many Western cultures, middle names often honor relatives or saints, while in Spanish cultures, middle names are frequently used to differentiate individuals within the same family, often incorporating both parents’ surnames.
How do middle names affect legal documentation in the US?
Middle names play a significant role in legal documentation in the US. They help differentiate individuals with common first and last names, reducing the risk of identity confusion. In legal contexts, such as applying for identification cards, passports, or filling out official forms, including a middle name can ensure the accuracy and completeness of personal records.
About the author
Chief Technical Officer at Nuwber
With nearly two decades of experience in the IT industry, Eugene possesses comprehensive knowledge across his professional field, including in data management, data protection, and information search. Through his writing, he aims to provide valuable insights and practical advice on how to safely explore the online environment and leverage digital tools to enhance people’s lives.
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