Middle names - Does Your Culture have Them?
By urbangirl
@urbangirl (1456)
Australia
July 14, 2007 6:55pm CST
Another discussion by a friend on mylot about choosing a baby name got me thinking about middle names and how we get our names. Now in Greece, where I was born, it was (and still is) a custom for the new baby to be named after the grandparent (the paternal granparents side first, then...if any more children are born, from the maternal grandparents). There are of course exceptions - when a couple inherit their house for example from another relative, they then "honour" that relative with giving their name to their child, or if a parent has died on the maternal side, they may start naming their children from that side first, instead of the paternal. In any case most children are named after someone, it's not usually a case of just choosing a name that you like from a book.
So, because I was the first born girl I was named after my paternal grandmother, then my younger brother after my paternal grandfather etc.
This presents an interesting situation - you see my dad has 4 brothers, which means that their children follow the same traditons...which meant that I ended up with 3 cousins with exactly the same name (first and last) as mine and my brother ended up with 3 cousins with his exact name.
It's not customary for Greeks to have "middle" names - so the way we were told apart when people were referring to us was by our dad's christian names - eg. Lucas's or Peter's.
Another thing is that the baby is actually not named until he or she is christened. Until then, the name is "bebis" for boy or "beba" for girls. These are the masculine and feminine forms of "baby". There is no name on the birth certificate, and the christening certificate is the important document.
So, can you tell me anything about your culture and how naming of children comes about?
17 people like this
39 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
15 Jul 07
Good question my middle name wa my moms and my grand mas but dont know where first name came from.
and if I count right the name John on mine and hubbies side number up to 10 so we use the middle name or the last name to talk to them or a nick name or both names first and middle.
When My first # boys were born we put Inicails for them to go with grand pas on both sides or Uncles
My daughter we just named and my last sons Middle name was the 3rd from grandpa daddy then He tacked on the 4th for his son. And in the southern Staes of this Country the U.S.A. they call each other by the first and middle name
1 person likes this
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
17 Jul 07
That's very interesting. Using the father's name to distinguish between children of the same name is somewhat like the old Scandinavian way. There, Thorkel son of Olaf might be called Thorkel Olafsson and if Olaf had a daughter, she would have been called Olafsdaughter. If Thorkel had a son, he would be known as Thorkelsson. These would have functioned as surnames to distinguish between people of the same first name. I think the Icelanders still use these patronymics but not in the rest of the Scandinavian countries where they have now turned into fixed surnames that are passed on. I was named after my paternal and maternal grandfathers, but there is no sort of naming tradition here in Britain.
1 person likes this
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
22 Jul 07
jwfarrimond - that is interesting that there's a similarity there with Scandinavian culture.
@eslproofreader (517)
• United States
17 Jul 07
I'm from the U.S., so I, of course, have a middle name. Actually, my mother did something rather unconventional in naming me after herself. That can cause quite a bit of confusion in a househole (compounded by the fact that my brother and uncle share a name as do my step-father and step-brother). I have always been called by my middle name by family and friends. I only use my first name officially- at work, at school, or for official documentation. I don't especially like the arrangement (I have to remember who I am as every time I sign my name or call someone. My mom was setting me up to be schizo...
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (93984)
• United States
15 Jul 07
Wow, that sounds so complicated! But it isn't in America. Now, I'm sure some families have traditions in naming their children. But as a whole, American children are given whatever middle name their parents want to give them. They don't have customs like that, the country as a whole. Now my middle name, was the name of my great grandma. So that middle WAS in the family. But no one puts any pressure on a mom or dad to give their child a certain middle name. But like I said, there are exceptions, and I speak about the country in general.
1 person likes this
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
Hi Ambie Pam - actually it's not complicated - the complication sets in when people do not follow "tradition" and then parents somehow get offended. Also, you hear many stories of people fighting with their parents, and not getting their "just" dowry, so that the couple may end up not giving their names at all as some sort of payback.
If they are not fighting...they have to come up with creative reasons not to follow tradition. The craftiest one I heard in our immediate family was an aunt who wanted to name her firstborn after *her* side of the family, not her husbands (my uncle). Remember the "rule" about "paternal" side first?
Anyway, she said that the virgin Mary came to her in her dream and told her she must name her firstborn daughter after herself (Maria in Greek). "Coincidentally" this was the name of the aunt's mother ;-)
I live in Australia now and it's much the same as in the States. The kids are given names that the parents like, and no one gets offended, and perhaps a middle name named after someone in the family (or not).
It's great though that your middle name was your great grandmother's name. It's a way of remembering and honouring her.
1 person likes this
@bananamanuk (835)
•
22 Jul 07
Middle names are common here in the UK, I have one and everyone in my family has one, although I used to know people at school that just had a first and surname. I don't know why but many people, including myself are a little bit embarrassed by the middle name, I suppose because often the name may be that of someone of an older generation in the family and the middle name is passed down to keep it running, but often because it is of an older generation it sounds out of place in the modern setting. That, and the fact that you inevitibly get used to your name and it envokes certain images of your personality.
1 person likes this
@herrbaggs (1308)
• United States
17 Jul 07
My parents waited till I was old enough to display some of my personality traits and then they gave me a middle name which has stuck quite well, Dumb Bhutt.
1 person likes this
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
18 Jul 07
Haha - that's quite an interesting naming tradition.
1 person likes this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
15 Jul 07
In America I do not know anyone who does not have a middle names. Now how they come up with that middle name defers from person to person. I guess that it probably has something to do with the culture they come from. My middle name was just given to me with no reason for it.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
Hi gewcew - do you actually know what most people's middle names are. I mean - do they use it in everyday conversation, when they introduce themselves? Here in Australia they don't tend to use their middle names in everyday life.
2 people like this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
15 Jul 07
Wow! This is pretty cool reading! I didn't know that about baby naming with the Greek culture. :) Thank you so much for sharing!!!!
I live in the United States. And here...naming a child is given anything but also the family is taken into account.
There are families here that have no tradition and the baby can be named anything.
While other families have to name a child as you explained.
My family is a bit different.
That is...my partner's father's side all have the same middle name.
So, his father, grand father, uncle, and himself...and I am sure further than that, all have the same middle name.
However, when we had children, he didn't care the tradition and name our children with the same middle name. I kept trying to get him to do it, but he said he didn't like the tradition or the middle name.
But we have seven children...and come the last child being born...I was able to get my partner to agree because it really was hurting his father's feelings.
So...our last child has his middle name...and our sixth child has my middle name.
Maybe the tradition will continue after all. :)
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
Brokentia - wow, you have seven children...congratulations. I really admire people who have large families. It was also good that you got your partner to follow the tradition with your youngest. You are so thoughtful to think of your partner's father's feelings. I hope it has helped bring them closer.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
15 Jul 07
Actually, I am very glad that my partner finally listened to me because his father passed away some months later.
It was totally unexpected but something that my partner did not have regrets about after his father passed. I know he would have if we would not have given our son the middle name and he honestly was a beautiful soul. So I am very proud that our youngest carries on the tradition. :)
Thanks for the wonderful discussion that brought up some loving memories. :)
1 person likes this
@Lifeless (2635)
• India
17 Jul 07
Yeah, our society do have middle names, but not in any of the current generations. My parents, both mom n dad, have their middle names. Though mom didn't inherit the middle name of my dad after marriage, but she still uses her own middle name smtimes. I haven't inherited the middle name frm ny of them.
In our culture, naming of children happens much more in advance, even before the child is born. Havans, pujas n all that, are performed for the new born's well being, and also to deide upon the name. Mostly its the grandparents who have the biggest say in this, but whn they come up very traditional names, we younger ones do have to interrupt...
This is how it goes like. Hope u got it...
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
15 Jul 07
My goodness, that post was so iteresting that I did not realize it was so long. I enjoyed learning about your culture. I like cultures that are thick with tradition.
My culture is a lot more shallow. A lot of them like to give their children what ever is popular at the time. Especially, if it is a popular entertainer.
Then, some people like for their children's names to be creative and unique. When I have children, I want my children to have traditional names with a unique twist.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
Rozie - I am glad you found my long winded interesting...nowadays in Greece they still follow these traditions but they do add a "twist" to the name to Anglicise it or change it slightly if the name is not an attarctive one - eg Pagona becomes "Peggy" and Anastasia becomes "Natassa". sometimes I would love to be more creative with names but as I get older I do like the kind of "traditional" biblical kind of names that my family members have. I especially like Lucas and Anastasia.
What's your favourite name Rozie?
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
16 Jul 07
Actually, considering the topic at hand, asking me my favorite name is a good question. My favorite name is Rosie, which is my real name. I change it to a "Z" sometimes just for fun.
The reason that this is my favorite name is because it was my great-aunts name and my mother's name. Even though, I am the youngest of three girls, I got to be named after my mother.
When my second niece was born, my sister could not think of a name for her. So I kept saying, name her after her grandmother, but I really wanted her to be named after me. Her middle name is Rose and she is my favorite niece.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
15 Jul 07
You are wise to plan on giving your children somewhat traditional names, because many scientific studies have shown that people with traditional names generally do better in school and are more likely to be hired in good jobs. Of course, this is not universally true, but these days children have enough hurdles to jump over growing up, and they sure don't need any excess baggage.
You will have fun thinking up a way to make the traditional names you choose just a little unique, and that, too, will undoubtedly make your children feel special and much loved.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
16 Jul 07
Even though a best response has been chosen, urbangirl, I felt the need to comment. This naming custom you have is so quaint. It might be a little confusing at first, but a person could get used to it. I like traditional names. I think that people get carried away with some of the names they are giving to children. They might grow up to hate their name. Yes, it is customary in the US to have a middle name. I don't know why I wasn't given one because everyone else in my family has one.
@MelodyRhapsodical (1248)
• United States
15 Jul 07
I live in the states, but I'm Hispanic. For the most part children back home aren't really named according to any grandparents, if anything, Hispanic men often want to name the children after themselves. So for example, my brother is named after my father and so am I. My cousin is Carla and her brother Carlos Jr., things like that.
It's very customary for children to have middle names, so the child's middle name might be after a grandparent. My mom's mother is named Maria and my dad's mother is named Maria also, so as a result myself and all of my girl cousins have Maria as our middle name. Lol.
We also tend on using practically 4 names. First name, middle name, last name and mother's maiden name. LOL. So I have my name, middle, last and my mom's last name before marriage. I don't use it here in the states though, so they chop it off in all of our American papers and passports. I don't mind, make my name wayyy shorter! Lol.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
Yes - I have heard of this tradition of naming the son after the father in the States (and not just amongst the Hispanic community). That's why you get nicknames like CJ (the J standing for Junior).
4 names is a lot (!) of names - but being Latin, they must sound great and just roll off the tongue.
@liyan97 (2127)
• Northern Mariana Islands
15 Jul 07
In our culture it is also customary for us to name our children after their grand parents. If we choose not to name them by first name we have to add it into their middle name or even third name,
I have three kids:
* Vincent (After my great grandfather) Darrell(middle name after my step’dad)
*Mariahlynn (Mariah after my mother Maria, Lynn after me Liyan) Michell (middle name after her father Michel)
*Naiomi (After her fathers sister) Merced (middle name after her grandmother)
We have always tried to keep within our customs, although we may change the names we always have to incorporate the grand parents and fathers names into it:)
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
Hi liyan, I looked up where you come from and it was the northern mariana islands. I am ignorant as to where they are. Liyan, I like the idea of combining two names to make one...lovely to hear about your cultural traditions!
@kimthedane (945)
• Denmark
17 Jul 07
Yes we do have a tradition of middle names in denmark too. It would normally be the name of you parent or gran parent, but is also used in situations where the parents cannot agree on what to call theit child. However i think this is somehow on way to disappear as today you can got to the regiatar office and choose whatever name you want.
1 person likes this
@ItTakesAllSorts (4096)
•
15 Jul 07
In my country, the UK alot of people have middle names. I do, but it does not relate to any relatives, so I really do not have a connection with it and I don't like it as well.
When my daughter was born I was going to give her my mums name as her middle name but it did not go with her first name, she sounded like an American Cheerleader. However, when my son was born I gave him my mums name, as it can be a man or womans name. I told him this and he is fine with it.
My mum is such a wondeful grandmother, he is blessed to have her name.
Only recently a couple in the UK gave their child everyname of world class boxers. The poor mite has around 20 middle names. Now to me that is just stupid!!
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
20 middle names - wow. ItTakesAllSorts, do you find some people use their middle names when they get older if they don't like their first names?
1 person likes this
@Lifeless (2635)
• India
11 Dec 07
Yeah, there sure r middle names in my culture.. Bith my mom and dad have theirs.. But I haven't inherited any from them.. I prefer to keep my name simple.. Infact, the culture of middle names is very old, and today's generation dosen't like to have them at all...
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
We use middl;e names in Australia. I think this stems from our English & Irish heritage. Up until late last century, middle names were often the same as ones parents or grandparents. Nowadays, some more enlightened parents use middle names that are different.
My middle name is Dianne, which is not named after anyone.
But my brothers middle name is Brian, which was named after my father.
My 14 year old daughters middle name is Edeline. She was named after her Fathers, Mother. I think it is German, although I have never been sure.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
Jennybianca - I actually live in Australia now. I used to envy my "anglo" friends and their middle names when I was growing up. Edeline is a gorgeous name. Even though my ethnicity is Greek, like your daughter, my name has Germanic roots too.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
16 Jul 07
My family doesn't have a tradition. My sister was named for both of our grandmothers and my mom named me before I was born.I like the Jewish tradition of naming a baby after a deceased member of the family.But if I were to have a son, I would name him David, my favorite boy name. And if I were to have a daughter, I would name her Audrey.
@cynddvs (2948)
• United States
15 Jul 07
My culture has middle names. Sometimes people actually use multiple middle names. I never even realize that other cultures didn't use middle names until my uncle married my aunt. She is from Venezuela. When she got pregnant with my cousin and they were deciding on names she didn't understand the whole concept of having a middle name since her culture never has them.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
15 Jul 07
I see you're from the US - it's the same here in Australia - people from English backgrounds have middle names.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
15 Jul 07
Yes, middle names are pretty important in my culture, too. Usually they skip a generation and use one of of the grandparent's names for a first name and the other for the middle name, but in my case, the two sides of the family did not get along, so my parents tried to compromise by taking key letters from each grandmother and using them to invent two completely new names. As a result my middle name was weird and I hated it.
Fortunately, it is also a custom that a woman can replace her middle name with her born surname when she marries without having to go to court and do a name change. For example, if Mary Alice Lee marries John Jones, she can change her name to Mary Lee Jones. So when I married, I took my husband's last name and moved my own to the middle.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
16 Jul 07
Drannhh - you bring up and interesting point - there are many cultures where the woman keeps her surname and hyphenates it with her husbands surname. I have never thought of the maiden name as being a "middle name" before.
