Why do Brits have 2 middle names?
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Why do Brits have 2 middle names?
Traditionally, the British upper class has used multiple names to indicate family connections, even going so far as changing surnames to reflect these bonds. In France, it is normal for citizens to have multiple middle names, though all names except the surname are referred to as “first names” on official documents.
Is two middle names posh?
Rooted in royalty as a way to honor a raft of vaulted relatives, the multiple-middle-name practice was pegged by one visitor to our pages as being “very posh and a bit snobby.” Americans who give their babies two middle names are often simply packing more name power into one extended appellation.
Do British people use middle names?
British names are traditionally patrilineal, whereby children are given their father’s family name. Many British also have a ‘middle name’, which is a secondary given name written between the person’s first name and their family name. For example, Emily Claire TAYLOR’s middle name is ‘Claire’.
Do British people have middle initials?
Wikipedia notes that “The practice of abbreviating middle names to initials is rare in the United Kingdom”, although certainly some UK authors use their middle initials when publishing—especially if they have common first and last names.
Can a person have 2 middle names?
The term middle name does not refer to additional given names, which are instead referred to as given names. A middle name could be e.g. one’s mother’s maiden name or the last name of another recent ancestor (for instance a grandparent). One can have several middle names, but it is unusual to have more than one or two.
What is the purpose of a middle name?
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.
How many middle names can you have UK?
An individual may have more than one middle name, or none. In the United Kingdom, for comparison, she would usually be referred to as either Mary Bianchi, M. L. Bianchi or Mary Lee Bianchi, or she may choose Lee Bianchi, and informally there may be familiar shortenings.
Is middle name important?
You absolutely do not need to choose a middle name when deciding on a baby name. Middle names are optional. Still, your baby boy or baby girl will have a beautiful name as long as you choose a meaningful first and last name or a name that you love. The middle name is not a requirement.
Is it good to have middle name?
Does my child need a middle name? “A middle name is not legally necessary. “It is especially important if our first and last names are common. Names in the middle position are great places to ‘personalize’ a child’s name, by giving a name that represents a person or idea important to parents,” Suzanne explained.