Choosing the perfect middle names for your little one can be pretty intimidating. It can be as challenging as selecting their first name. Even worse, if you are already mesmerized by your baby’s first name and now you have to settle for a middle name that flows well and has a significant meaning.
In most cases, it’s customary to opt for parents’ or grandparents’ names to commemorate the elderly family members. Nevertheless, there are several creative and delightful middle names to choose from.
History of Middle Names
Someone calling you by your middle name is somehow uncommon to the extent that some individuals cringe when they hear their parents calling out their full name. So, what’s the story behind middle names?
Long before, parents used to name their babies after saints to protect them as they aged. Progressively, parents evolved into calling their offspring after their kinsfolk and these holy names. Consequently, it became conventional for children to be given two names- a first and a middle name.
Referencing from MyHeritage, middle names originated in the 1200s. The privileged society in Italy started giving their kids middle names, and the notion extended throughout Europe, especially in France and Spain. In time, the common folk embraced middle names for their children.
In Stephen Wilson’s book The Means of Naming: A Social History, half of the boys’ population in France had a single name at the start of the 19th century, while 37% had a middle name. Subsequently, 46% of boys had two names before the end of that century, and 23% had a first name and two middle names.
Unlike their European counterparts, Scotland and England were tardy in adopting middle names. In fact, by 1605, only a few children had more than one name. Surprisingly, by 1800, only a tenth of the kids had two names. But, of course, by the 19th-century, middle names were prevalent across Europe and the United States.
Different cultures had varied opinions on middle names. In some countries or cultures, the middle name was the first name. For instance, according to Spanish culture, all baby girls shared Maria’s name with a different middle name.
Their middle names then referred to them to differentiate the girls. Moreover, kids of Arabic and Spanish heritage were mostly given maternal or paternal names from their elderly folks to keep track of the child’s genealogy.
Also, some families and communities tend to share the same singular middle name for all family members. For instance, all boys in a particular family might have the middle name for Peter, and all the girls share the middle name of Ann. On the other hand, some cultures deployed the mother’s maiden name as the middle name, and others used the baptizing clergyman’s last name as the offspring’s middle name.
In sum, there are a plethora of accounts of middle name origin. But ultimately, society deviated from these conventional cultural practices in favor of creative middle names that bolster a kid’s first name and, importantly, enhance the connection.
How to Choose a Middle Name
Being more creative with your little one’s middle name only makes the decision more challenging. But, on the other hand, having an abundance of options similarly makes it more complicated. Therefore, here are some tips to help in the decision-making process.
Be Creative
If you and your partner opt for the conventional way with your kid’s first name, then it’s only reasonable to get creative with the middle name. Don’t be timid from exploring fun ideas and selecting something exceptional.
Commemorate a Loved One
Middle names offer the perfect opportunity to celebrate someone you hold dear to your heart. It might be a family member, friend, or someone you admire. In addition, it doesn’t have to be the exact name or gender.
Instead, you can borrow from their name and slightly make changes. For instance, you can spin Jack to Jackson for a baby boy and Jackie for a girl. Alternatively, you can use their last name as your child’s middle name.
Contemplate How The Whole Name Sounds
The first and middle names should flow well together. Call out the first and middle names loudly and scrutinize if they flow together. Repeat the process with various middle names until you settle for the combo that connects perfectly. Conversely, the first and middle names shouldn’t sound like a single name smushed together. Instead, it would be best to have varied syllable counts for optimal flow.
Consider The Initials
Initials are essential to avoid rude awakenings later. First and foremost, scrutinizing your baby’s initials before choosing a middle name can help prevent band connotations.
You might have a solid middle name, but once you consider how the initials spell out, you might have to get back on the drawing board for a more suitable combination.
A bad set of initials can be embarrassing and, worse, be a focal point to your little one’s teasing and bullying through school and later in life.
Use More Than One
You can always consider two middle names if you can’t narrow down your options to a single name. It’s not prevalent for individuals to have more than one name, but there is no harm in being exceptional as already outlined. Also, most Royal Family members tend to have two middle names.
Primarily, most parents pair a middle name of their liking to a family name, resulting in a pair of middle names. In most cases, it results in having a nice ring, although it can be pretty terrifying to hear when caught in trouble.
Family Lineage
In some instances, middle names will become the first name. This is especially the case in families that carry on the legacy of naming the firstborn son after the father—as such, naming the child will be pretty elementary since they take on their father’s name and add junior or the third or fourth to carry on their family tradition.
Unfortunately, this model can be perplexing, especially during family gatherings whereby several relatives share the same name.
Combination Names
Middle names don’t always have to be overlooked. However, it’s typical for some parents to give their kid a rarely used middle name. Others opt for a middle name that’s more prevalently heard and seen.
For example, Mary Jo as a pairing isn’t very common, yet it’s a creative combination. Nevertheless, always consider the initials.
Forgo a Middle Name
It’s not mandatory to have a middle name. Your kid can get on with life with a first and last name. Therefore, if your baby has a perfect first and last name, and adding a middle name throws off balance, you can consider eschewing the middle name.
Most Popular Middle Names
It’s typical for some middle names to be more prevalent than others, stretching for several generations. Although some might not be creative, they flow perfectly with most first names, becoming a suitable choice for parents struggling to select a middle name that pairs with the first name.
As a result, there isn’t a hard and fast rule when picking a middle name for your baby. Therefore, don’t be too hard on yourself and instead opt for a middle name that’s compatible with your family culture and flows well with your little one’s first name.
Also, you can commemorate a loved one by using their name or last name as your child’s middle name. Be creative and have fun while considering the alternatives. Still, please don’t go overboard and select a name that might be a root for your child’s tribulations, bullying, and mockery as they grow up.