Middle Name Meanings

What’s in a Name

The name you give your child is very important. He or she will carry it through life. To many parents, the name they decide on will reflect who the child is or who the parents want them to be. For others, it is sentimental. No matter what you decide to name your child, it is a gift he or she will carry for the rest of his life.

The Importance of the Middle Name

Though the middle name is usually not known to most of the people your child will come into contact with (unless your child uses their full name like Bobby Jo or Anne Marie), it still bears great importance. Some parents focus on the actual meaning, or definition of the name, while others choose a name of someone they love as a way to honor them. However, middle names were not always popular, and in the 1700’s were very uncommon in most places.

The History of the Middle Name

If you live in the United States, you might notice that many of the important historical figures do not have a middle name mentioned when they are talked about. Some examples are:

• George Washington
• Abraham Lincoln
• Thomas Jefferson

That is because middle names were not always a part of the culture in the United States. This tradition was introduced in the early 19th century by the Germans, whose custom was to give their children two names:

1. A spiritual name: often named after a saint
2. A secular name: which was the one they used daily

Soon secular names grew in the states, and by World War I almost all Americans had a middle name.

Today, though in many cultures the purpose is the same, middle names are also used as a method of identification. For example, there may be three John Smiths in a town. However, the middle name can be used to distinguish which John Smith you are referring to.

Choosing a Middle Name

There are many different traditions that are followed in deciding on which middle name to give your child. Depending on your culture, middle name meanings may offer different purposes.

Middle Name Meanings

Every name has a meaning, and many parents choose to focus on the meaning for the middle name. Often the first name is something the parents are in love with and can’t wait to call the child, while the middle name gives insight to what the parents want for their child or what she means to you.

If your child gave you light in a dark time in your life, you may consider the middle name “Hope” to represent the feelings she gave you. Not all names are as obvious. If you look in any name book, or online, you can find the meaning and often history of each name. Some examples of middle names are:

• Patrick: noble
• Grant: tall or big
• Victor: champion
• Ann: favored grace
• Dana: from Denmark
• Emily: industrious, striving

You can find great baby girl and boy names if you take the time to look. There is a lot of thought that goes into choosing the perfect middle name for your child.

Naming After a Loved One

Many cultures will use the middle name to remember someone they love. This may be a family member or friend who recently passed away. Giving your child this middle name is a great way to honor someone, and keep his or her memory alive.

Tradition

For some families, middle name meanings follow a tradition. For example, the same name may be passed down from generation to generation. Other families will use a maiden name as the middle name to keep the genealogy of the family alive.

Offering an Alternative

Many different cultures will use the middle name as a chance to give their child a choice in what name they will want to go by when they grow up. For example, if you are Chinese American, you may give your child a Chinese first name with an American middle name, such as Chan Jason, or you may reverse it like Marie Lien.

No matter what you decide to name your child, choose the name with love, and it will be the right name.