two middle names?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2006
two middle names?
14
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 10:08am

Hi, I'm wondering what you all think about double middle names. Would it really be a pain for my daughter every time she fills out paperwork? Do you think it's impractical? I am not normally the type who would give two middle names, but here is our situation:

Our daughter is due in 3 weeks and we've already picked the namd Marie Gretchen (Marie is my middle name and my great grandma's name. Gretchen is dh's grandma's name.) We love the name and so does all of our family. But, we live in Turkey and will be here for at least a few more years. We'd kind of like to give her a Turkish name too - we're thinking Ilayda (pronounced like Eliza but with a d instead of a z). Making her name Marie Ilayda Gretchen or Marie Gretchen Ilayda. We don't want to change the rest of the name around because 1. we like it, and 2. it would really hurt some grandmother's feelings if we did. I know it's a mouthful. Please give opinions.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 10:45am

I do not always like double middle names, but in your case, I think it is wonderful. I like the idea of using a Turkish name. I do not think it would be too much of a pain, and it will make a nice story for her to tell when she is older, after all, how many of us can say that we used to live in Turkey?

As far as forms go, I do not think she would have to put both on, unless it was some sort of legal document, but in most cases the forms usually just ask for middle initial, and in this case she would just put G or I. There are moms on here that have have children with double mns, so I am sure they can share how they handle it day to day.

I say go for it!

I like Marie Gretchen Ilayda Lastname better than Marie Ilayda Gretchen, it breaks up the vowel sounds better, IMO.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 11:26am

I wouldn't personally use two middle names without a good reason -- like how I'd consider using my grandfathers mn, Miller, and dh's favorite grandfather's, Boyd, as mns if we ever wound up with a boy -- and I definitely think your reasoning is sound. Having an extra mn reflective of the country you were born in is wonderful! A great link to her past and story for her future, KWIM? And Ilayda is beautiful. I love it. ;)


HTH


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-14-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 12:04pm

Persoanlly, I don't care for 2 mns. But that's just me. I don't really know how it would affect her (& you!) as paperwork is filled out ... I'm not sure if both mns would be required or not.

So, basically, double mns are not for me but I don't care if others give their children 2 mns.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2005
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 12:29pm
Double middle names are nms, but in your case, I think it would be great! It'll make a really nice story to tell her, and for her to tell other people, when she gives her name. I wouldn't worry too much about forms. After all, it's not like that would be such a hassle just to put one extra name. That takes all of...what...one, two seconds? I think it'll be fine.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 1:19pm

I don't like 2 middle names, but there's certainly nothing wrong with it. In your case, I think your daughter will always have a special connection to Turkey, and she may really enjoy having a Turkish mn. Marie Gretchen Ilayda is cute and full of personal meaning. I say go for it.

In terms of practicality, 2 mns can be annoying, but are usually not a big inconvenience. My mother and her sister both have 2 mns. My mother uses her first mn only on everything, so filling out forms is not a big deal to her. My aunt, on the other hand, always wants to use both her middle names; her signature, her checks, and her initials are always Linda M.A. J___. She has said she it aggravates her when forms only have space for one middle initial. Whether it would bug your daughter or not is up to her.

On another note, it has been said that if you have an extremely common last name, 2 middle names can be an asset in this age of identity theft and creditors. I think the idea has merit.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 1:27pm

Weve used two middle names with our son and will do so with our other children (if we have more.) My husband and his brother have two and we decided to continue that tradition (I actually kept my maiden name as a second middle name to join in--besides, it meant I didn't have to change my credit cards over right away after getting a new driver's license. *grin*) We have a VERY common middle name, so a second middle name comes in handy in setting my Matt apart from the 8 million other guys out there with the same first and last names.

It doesn't have to be a major hassle on paperwork. Some US forms do have space for one middle name, so what you usually do is use your first middle name as the "primary" one and save the other one for forms with more space or for formal uses, like graduation and when you get married and for when you REALLY get in trouble. Both my husband and I have ours on our driver's licenses, but the state of Michigan doesn't have it in their heads that you can have two middle names so they're hyphenated, which looks funny...but it's bureaucracy, so you just shrug and don't worry about it.

I think that what you have in mind is great--it's a nod to where your daughter is born and that carries a lot of weight. I would definitely make it a family tradition with future children, even if they're born someplace a little more prosaic.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2007
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 5:02pm

Hi!

Yes, it is a bit mouthful but it doesn't matter doesn't it?

I'm sure that your daughter is going to be grateful to know that you and her daddy have put so much effort in picking out a special name just for her.
My vote is GO for it since you mentioned that you both love the name.

To let you know, I'm planning to do the same thing later in the future so you know that I'm on the same page as you are on.

Good luck!

Kit Kat

--Kit Kat, the loving Fur Mama to Two Socks and Fur Angel, Spike.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2005
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 7:44pm
I love double middle names! There are so many wonderful names out there....why not create the perfect combo of your faves!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-24-2004
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 10:23pm

I love two middle names and all three of our children have them. Normally you only have space for one middle name on our forms here in Australia. We done it to honor our grandparents, and they love it. The kids all love their names. We are currently teaching our almost 2 & 1/2 year old his full name.
The only one who doesn't have mn's is Jessi and she doesn't have any middle names. Her Mum and my DH split up before Jessi was born and he didn't have a say in Jessi's name.

debbie
jessi 04/10/96
robbie 05/10/01
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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-09-2007
Wed, 06-06-2007 - 8:00am

I like it.

My brother has two middle names and 90% of the time, he just uses the first one as his middle initial. Besides, how often does someone call you by your full name? I prefer a double middle name to a double first name.

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