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Tips on how to escape the plague of mundane and unimaginative middle names to find the perfect combination for your baby.
If you live in America or the UK, the possession of a middle name is pretty much expected. Without one, your child is bound to feel more than a little left out. Some will argue that middle names are ornamental and superfluous, but there are very real reasons for bestowing a middle name upon your child. From identification to socialization purposes, it's important that your child have a name that is unique unto him or herself, especially, if the child shares his or her name with another member of the family possessing the same last name. Middle names can minimize confusion, while giving a child something that is their own. Get Excited!Middle names don't have to be boring, and parents should relish this opportunity to pull out those names they love, but might be too reluctant to use as first names. Who says that you can't use Raven or Winter or some very obscure Old French name as your child's middle name? Who says you can't honor your favorite flower, writer, actor, poet, artist, etc.? This is the place, also, where an old family name can be revived or a friend or relative honored. Don't let your creativity be hampered by the usual crop of Annes, Maries, Johns and Michaels. Be adventurous and creative! Because the middle name will most likely not see as much use as the first name, and will often be reduced to an initial, parents should feel less pressure to choose middle names that are conventional and "safe." It might also be helpful to be aware of the most popular middle names that children are being given, and branch out into less commonly used names if you are so inclined or if your baby will have a particularly common first name or first and last name combination. Name Nerds is a wonderful resource for finding what middle names are currently popular or fashionable. Choosing the right middle name can help set your child apart later on down the road, when he or she may be mingling with other Jacobs, Sophias, Michaels and Abigails. The Flow of ThingsAs always, parents should inspect the name as a whole before completely settling upon a name choice. Listen to the way the first and last names flow together, and then listen to the way the first, middle and last names sound as a unit. Listen for pleasing consonant and vowel sounds and try to pick
The copyright of the article Middle Name Madness in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Shannon Perry. Permission to republish Middle Name Madness in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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