How to Choose a Middle Name

Middle names were traditionally bestowed on the aristocracy of a society to outline a held lineage. Many times middle names were a mother or grandmother's maiden name. Later names of honored family members and historical or admired figures were placed as the middle name.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A baby book

Choosing a Middle Names

1. Decide if you want the middle name to honor a family member, a lineage, a historical or important figure, or if you just want it to sound good with the first name.

2. Pick a name that you feel strongly about, you do not want to settle on a name that does not inspire.

3. Look up the meaning of the name in a baby book.

4. See if the first and middle name have compatible meanings.

5. Settle on the name and commit.

Tips & Warnings

• It is important that names are complimentary to one another if you pick a name that is not a last name lineage like a mother's maiden name.
• Know the history of the name. A name should be worn with pride and one should know the meaning and the history behind thier own name.
• Do not be afraid to give your child an "unpopular" middle name like Agnes, or Melvin, if they are in honor of a family member. They will one day be proud of it, especially if the family member you pick was an inspiring individual.

Resources

• Baby Names