Tips for Choosing a Middle Name

Many parents do not put much thought in their son or daughter's middle name. Since middle names are generally only used by parents when they scold their children, some do not put any effort into choosing the right middle name. However, middle names are used by some adults, depending on their future careers. Here are some tips for choosing middle name which is suitable for your child.

Familial Middle Names

Parents commonly try to incorporate family names into their child's name, often through a middle name. Sons might be given a middle name that belongs to their grandfather or father. Daughters might be given a middle name that belongs to a grandmother. While this can be an ideal choice for some families, keep in mind that the other grandparents may get jealous if their name is not chosen for a middle name. In some cases, usually with girls, two middle names may be used to prevent resentment. If familial naming is important, consider using one grandfather's name for a first name and one for a second name - or even avoid it in general.

Consider Your Child's Initials

In elementary school, children often have to do projects which consist of their initials. The wrong combination of initials can lead to teasing. For example, if your last name is Thomas and you choose Fiona Ann, her initials will be "F.A.T." To prevent your child from being teased, it is important to put some thought into his or her initials before deciding on a middle name.

Use Some Creativity

It is common for parents to choose Ann, Marie, Lynn, or Lee for a girl's middle name and Matthew, Christopher, or Michael for a boy's middle name. If you really like one of these names, there is nothing wrong with this. However, it is important to keep in mind that you do not need to choose a popular middle name just because. There are plenty of great middle names out there to choose from. Be sure to consider names that you like and determine how they sound with your child's last name.

Few parents don't put enough thought into their child's middle name. However, this is a part of your child's name that they are likely to carry with them throughout their entire lives. It is ideal to be creative and to consider your child's initials before deciding on a middle name for sure. Also make sure that you do not offend any family members during the child naming process.