Sarah Jessica Parker, Jeffrey Jacob Adams... Many Americans have two names. It turns out that this is a recent tradition. But what is it connected with?
The tradition of a second (or middle name) among Americans developed relatively recently, in the 19th century. Up to mid-18th century centuries, middle names are extremely rare in church records recording the births, marriages and deaths of residents of the British colonies in North America. Only on the eve of the Revolutionary War (1775–1783) did the custom of giving children a middle name at baptism, most often in honor of immediate relatives, spread among the wealthy plantation families of Virginia (the so-called Virginia aristocracy). Also used as a middle name maiden name mother or grandmother.
But this practice cannot yet be called popular: of the 56 people who signed the Declaration of Independence (1776), only three had a middle name. John Quincy Adams (6th President of the United States, 1825–1829) became the first American head of state to receive a middle name at birth (in honor of his maternal great-grandfather).
However, already in the 1830s and 1840s, the population of the United States exploded due to unprecedented immigration from Europe, and the middle name tradition spread along with it. Perhaps, practical reasons played a role: there were many people in the country with the same first and last names, and the second name served as a means of additional identification. True, unlike the previous period, children were now given middle names in honor of famous political, religious, public figures and the military (for example, George Washington, the first president of the United States, or John Wesley, one of the founders of Methodism). The second name is already almost universally found in army lists of the period Civil War(1851–1865) and especially World War I, which the United States entered in April 1917.
Do you have a first and last name, but have you ever thought about a second, “intermediate” name? You can show your creativity when choosing a middle name for your child. You can choose a name that will go well with your first and last name, as well as a name that will suit your baby perfectly!
Steps
Select a name
- Choose a middle name that ends with a different vowel than your first name. Names like Angela Anna or Denise Savannah are quite difficult to pronounce because the final vowel of the first name and the first vowel of the second name are repeated.
- The second name must contain consonants that are not in the first name. Lena Gray, George Randolph or Thomas Stearns - these names sound good because they have different sounds.
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The name should be optimal in length. If the first name is long, the second name should be short. For example, Alexandra Grace, Christopher Owen. And vice versa, if the first name is short, then the second should be long: Kate Elizabeth, Rose Anthony.
- To understand the length of a name, count the number of syllables. If your first name has two or more syllables, your second name may have 2-3 syllables.
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Look how the name is spelled. Write down the names you like and see how they look in writing. Consider whether the name is easy to pronounce and whether you can pass it on to your child. Find a name that suits all your criteria. You can even write down your child's name and see if your middle name suits the child.
Get your relatives involved. You can give your child the middle name of an older sibling. Don't be afraid to try: let everyone in the family offer their ideas. If you are choosing a name for your child, you can let him find a suitable middle name for himself. Or make a list of names that you like, and the children can choose from this list what they like. Choose together - it greatly strengthens the family spirit!
- You can let the children come up with their own list of names that they like. Perhaps the children will be able to come up with something unusual and original. In any case, the final choice is yours.
Be creative
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Most often, the second name is chosen in honor of a relative. Choosing a grandparent's name as a child's middle name can be a way to show respect.
- You can make up family tree and choose the name of one of your distant relatives.
- If you are married and take your husband's last name, it can also be used as a "middle name".
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If you are a religious person, you can use a biblical name as your "middle name." A middle name is a great opportunity to choose something meaningful or spiritual to pass on to your child. You can choose the name of a saint, religious figure.
- Think about what names can express your view of the world. For example, the names of pop culture singers are suitable, especially if they sound good. If you really like Johnny Cash, you can name the baby Carter Cash.
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You can choose a classic or historical name. You can look at your middle name as an opportunity to go back in time and choose a historical or retro name. Plus, it will definitely be less common. For example, the names "Rosemary" or "Orville" may be perfect for your child.
- Look through old novels and find names that interest you. Make a list and choose the one you like best.
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You can use your birth month in your name. This good opportunity choose a name that will be shared by very few people. The month of birth of the child must be combined with his first name. For example, Christian May. Some even use the day of the week the child was born on as their middle name!
- You can use the city where the parents met as a middle name, for example, Joshua Brooklyn or Maria Paris.
- You can come up with a middle name using some details on your child's birthday. For example, if you drove to the hospital in an old beat-up Volvo, you could use it as your middle name.
Avoid mistakes
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Remember the main principle: do no harm. There are more than seven million people in the world, and everyone wants to be original. You can use classic or historical names, but don't go too far. Don't choose names that will make your child feel stupid in the future. Choose something pleasant and sincere, even if not very original.
Make sure that the name you choose cannot be interpreted in a stupid or awkward way. Remember that initials should sound good too. For example, the name Frances Underwood Kensington sounds great, but the initials may confuse you. Remember that the name should look and sound good not only in its full form, but also in its abbreviated form.
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- If you like a name, ignore other people's reviews about it, because no one should decide for you. You can tell this to several close people, consult with them and decide exactly whether to leave him or not.
- Your parents will help you make a choice, but they may also dissuade you. If you tell friends, acquaintances or relatives that you have chosen a name, they should know that you do not want to hear any stories about people with such names.
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Use the correct spelling of names. If you like the sound of a name, you need to spell it the way it's supposed to be spelled. Don't change the letters in your name expecting people to pronounce it differently. Eat general rules pronunciations, don't ignore them.
- Some parents believe that the spelling of the name does not matter of great importance, but that's not true. You need to write the name the way it should be written according to the rules. In addition, if you replace some letters in the name, it will not only be read incorrectly, but may also look funny and awkward.
Pay attention to how the name sounds. A middle name can be used in many different ways: to be part of a family name, to express your individuality, to be part of your biography. Either way, make sure the name sounds nice.
Our ancestors believed that a person’s name is the address of his soul. And the one who knows someone's real name has power over him. Our ancestors sought to protect their children and used pseudo names to name their children in everyday life. This tradition still exists today. All witchcraft rituals use a person’s name; the name is also used for church purposes in prayers, for example, for health or for the repose of the dead. What is a “middle name”, why do they give children an additional name? IN Orthodox tradition, at baptism, the priest often gives a second name (no one should know about this name).
This second, secret name is mentioned in prayers and protects the child from all kinds of evil. Catholics also have a tradition of naming a baby with a double name: one church name is given in honor of a saint, the second is a home name, given in honor of one of the ancestors. Hence the double names - Jean-Baptiste, Anna-Maria, Johann Sebastian.
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Lucia, 11.12.04 19:23
Here I read: Julia Roberts gave birth to twins. The boy was named Finnaeus Walter, the girl Hazel Patricia.
I don’t understand why some people give a single name and others a double name. And in which countries is this accepted, well, probably in America for sure, and what does it mean? How will the child be called later, by the first part of the name, then why the second, and if both parts, then in my opinion, this is not convenient. Explain here pls.
Alina, 11.12.04 19:44
Lucia
We can give a child from one to three names. Mine one husband, but children have three (1. Kasper Valtteri Evgeniy, 2. Hannu Elmeri Elius 3. Eetu August Oliver) But in Finland there is no middle name. I don’t know why, but there are so many names, so that when a child grows up and if he doesn’t like his name, he can take from his two or three names the one he likes. The average one has Hanna first in his passport, but at home we call him Elmery. That’s how it is with us
Kriksi-Kraksi, 12.12.04 01:08
We will have a double name (Stephanie-Maria) because we like Stefanie, and Maria is the name of both my and my husband’s grandmother, she is very symbolic and the grannies are happy (though my husband is Maria-Katharina) .... and me too For some reason I always wanted a double name...
NENE'S MUM, 12.12.04 01:16
Lucia
During my second pregnancy I was looking for a baby english names that I would like and found very interesting article. Here's a quote from there:
“Traditionally, in English-speaking countries, a child receives two names at birth: a personal name (first name) and a middle name (middle name). The first, personal name seems to be the most important and significant. The term “personal name” is understood primarily “ individual naming of the subject” (A.V. Speranskaya), officially assigned to him at birth. Of all onomastic categories, personal names were the first to receive documentary reflection. They were based on appellatives, which were used as nicknames to designate people. As A.V. notes. . Speranskaya, and in our time “personal names differ from nicknames mainly in that in the former the common noun meaning of the basics is not as obvious as in the second. In nicknames it is always fresh... In personal names the common meaning of the basics is almost always obscured. each time they are created again, personal names are passed on from generation to generation...” The article itself is very long, with an analysis of which names appeared when and under what influence.
NENE'S MUM, 12.12.04 01:22
According to statistics, all English children receive two names at birth (first + middle names): personal and middle. The custom of giving a child a middle name goes back to the tradition of assigning several personal names to a newborn. In modern English naming books, cases of assigning two or three middle names are more common than the complete absence of a middle name. Although there is no law limiting the number of middle names, more than four additional middle names are usually not assigned: Charles Philip Arthur George, Andrew Albert Christian Edward, Edward Antony Richard Louis, Anne Elisabeth Alice Louise. The role of the middle name at present is to serve as an additional individualizing sign, especially for persons who have widespread first and last names. Both personal names and geographical names, common nouns and so on. Often the surnames of the people in whose honor it is assigned are used as middle names..
NENE'S MUM, 12.12.04 01:26
Quotes taken: O.A. Leonovich chapter from the book "In the World of English Names".
NENE'S MUM, 12.12.04 01:29
If interested, I can send the entire article privately.
ELLE, 12.12.04 02:41
Lucia
in France there are double, triple and even four names at once, but all this is in official papers, but in life everyone is called by their first name.
My daughter has triples and my husband has four.
vishenka, 12.12.04 02:48
I named my daughter Jacqueline-Lydia. The first name is a personal name, and Lydia is a middle name, in honor of our Russian grandmother.
This is the American-Russian version
ElenaDK, 12.12.04 14:28
My friends (in America) gave their daughter a double name so that she could then choose for herself what she likes best
It went, 12.12.04 14:44
In Israel, especially in religious families, children are often given double names. This is especially common if they want to name a child in honor of a deceased relative, but he had an “unmodern” name. The first name is chosen whichever parents liked, and the second - in honor of a deceased relative or some righteous person.
In Judaism, every name has a meaning, and if a person is given a name, then it must be used, otherwise there is no point in giving it. There are families where children are called by two names, and there are those where they alternate.
We have Netanel Chaim, Netanel - we just liked it, Chaim is in honor of my dad. (Dad’s name was Vitaly, Chaim and it means “life”). We also try to use the name Chaim sometimes.
In general, I have met children here with both 3 and 5 names. There's no limit
Marinka, 12.12.04 15:22
You know, I understand if double names are given by parents related to the Catholic or Protestant faith... But here we have friends... purely Orthodox and Russian... and I can’t understand why they have children suddenly with double names... Like Martin Julius....
It went, 12.12.04 15:27
Marinka
and why not - maybe this is a tribute to the traditions of the country in which they live?
Lucia, 12.12.04 15:31
Thanks girls. All this is interesting.
NENE'S MUM Thank you. Well, I probably don’t need the whole article, I’m just interested out of curiosity.
Anna, 12.12.04 15:50
NENE'S MUM
And I'm editing now new book O.A. Leonovich (although she’s not talking about names)! Cool author!
I like double names, but in Russia they are not very common... only if they are very simple like Anna-Maria
Darel, 12.12.04 16:55
Marinka
We are Orthodox and are just thinking about double names for our children (we are still planning), just to make it better for everyone. Those. one name is secular, easily pronounced in English and other languages, and the second is Orthodox, for baptism, home and family. Only we have not yet decided to enter one name into the certificate, baptize another, or both names into the certificate. And while there is time, we are considering other options. For example, call it Euphrosyne (record and baptize), and for the locals Francis.
If I answer in general, then it seems to me that this is often just a way out, like
vishenka- both ours and yours.
And I also have a friend who is always called by his middle name, when I saw his first name in official papers - I laughed like crazy - it doesn’t suit him at all, but the middle name really does. Although his parents called him first, he grew up and renamed himself - freedom of choice, so to speak, is also good.
Christina, 12.12.04 23:38
We have a daughter, Anna-Maria. Anna-very simple...
It’s just that for a long time we couldn’t choose what to name our daughter - Anna or Maria? We didn’t know exactly who would be born, and we weren’t sure that there would be a girl, so we didn’t choose for sure. And when I was born, it became clear that I needed to make a decision. And already in the maternity hospital, half an hour after her birth, I myself suggested calling her by two names at once. \
But at home we call Anya, Manya, Musya and many other pet names. And my husband often calls Anna-Marie, in the Estonian manner (his mother is Estonian).
And in general, double names have become fashionable here, this is in the tradition of Catholics, I don’t know why!
Darel
By the way, we recently baptized our daughter and I knew that in Orthodoxy you can only baptize with one name, we decided that she would be baptized as Anna. And when we arrived at one church, they looked at the documents and saw that double name, and refused to baptize us! We sorted things out for a long time, had a fight, it was very unpleasant, in the end we went to another church, where we were baptized without any problems.
So, just in case, be prepared for any incidents.
Mermaid, 12.12.04 23:58
I have a daughter, Nicole Maria...
Nicole - it seems like a tricky one. We call Nika, Nikusey...
And Maria is a completely international, common, biblical name, and besides, that was the name of her husband’s grandmother (he is Canadian).
NENE'S MUM, 13.12.04 00:12
Lucia
I'm just curious out of curiosity
So the fact of the matter is that before I read the article, there was some fragmentary information in my head, but as it was written, I read it with great interest. Now here it is smart quotes I insert
Darel, 13.12.04 00:29
Christina
Thanks for the advice, we will be prepared and take this into account when choosing.
Lalka, 04.02.05 16:14
I like double names, I just like them, that’s all.
Moreover, now in Belarus (I don’t know how it is in Russia) you can write two names in the metrics at once, separated by a dash. True, we have only come up with a first name for our son - Adam. And we only think about the second: either Adam-Miroslav, or Adam-Stanislav, or Adam-Vincent.
The last idea came to my husband’s mind quite recently, but I actually like it
Lilith, 19.03.05 08:47
I named my daughter Jacqueline-Lydia.
Your daughter's first name is my namesake
And I named my daughter Stella Sofia.
I'll explain why. During pregnancy, my husband and I thought about naming our daughter Sofia, but then, due to various reasons this idea was abandoned.
I wanted something rare and unusual name, but we had disagreements about the last name
Therefore, we found a compromise. I liked the name Stella, but none of my relatives were enthusiastic about it. In addition, we were told that if we initially planned one name, then it had some meaning and we couldn’t refuse it at all
So we named her Stella Sofia. So that everyone is happy
We will baptize by the second name, but call it by the first. It's basic.
That's how things are
Corazon, 08.04.05 17:10
I really like double names! when they go well together, of course... my husband is Giuseppe Angelo (Giuseppe Angelo), and I wanted to name my son Antonio Augusto, but my husband rejected it, said that it turned out too imperially, so he remained just Antonio... which is a pity.. .
Lisa, 08.04.05 17:28
Our young man name is Richard Brian, but Brian is really only on paper.
In fact, my husband has a middle name, like his father, and my father would like to make this a tradition male line, and would have given our son the same middle name, but since I was categorically against it, I myself suggested giving Richard a middle name, like my grandfather’s first name. Although it didn’t turn out his way, it’s also impossible to be offended by this.
scorpion509, 19.04.05 03:27
It is also customary for us to give double names; we will also give our baby a double name.
we want the first name to be Russian (but with English version) and the second is more English.
The first version was Nikita Daniel, but it was rejected because in America Nikita is a female name
We've picked it up now, while Alexey is still thinking about the middle one
Talikoshka, 03.06.05 06:39
Girls, please advise! I really want to name my future child my father’s name, or at least something similar. I am well aware that in modern times with the name Israel (for a girl - Israel), it is not very comfortable for a child to live in Russia. I read the thread and decided that a double name is a good solution. I would like the first name to be familiar to Russians, but not too common. So far, only Lev Israel has been invented (to be called mainly the first). There are no options for a girl
What do you think?
Evgenievna, 03.06.05 15:30
I really want to name my future child my father’s name, or at least something similar. I am well aware that in modern times with the name Israel (for a girl - Israel), it is not very comfortable for a child to live in Russia. I read the thread and decided that a double name is a good solution. What do you think?
Question number one: is your dad or the child’s dad? If he has a child, he will still have one in Russia surname, that is, dad's name.
Question number two: are double names registered in Russia?
Opinion: if you want to call it Israel, then call it. Why is it not very comfortable? Many people have lived their lives with this name, and not in Russia, but in the USSR, and nothing. Or are Soviet stereotypes still alive?
Talikoshka, 03.06.05 19:39
Evgenievna, we are talking about my dad. The patronymic will be an ordinary Russian one, the surname too. All together it will sound wild. I don’t have and never had stereotypes, but many people still have them, no doubt about it. I don't want to ruin my child's life. The difficulty is that I don’t really like the name itself, but I loved my dad very much; words cannot describe what he meant to me, and it’s customary for us to keep the name. So I want to call (and combine with the patronymic) the first name, and the second - just for the sake of it.
Evgenievna,
For some reason, the name Leah came to mind (since you came up with the name Leo for the boy) - this is a biblical name, and an Orthodox one too (just like Israel).
Are you really sure that Israel is an Orthodox name?
In russian language full name human consists of first name, patronymic and last name. In English-speaking countries the scheme is slightly different: first name, middle name(s) last name.
The middle name appears because, according to tradition, a child receives two names at birth: personal name(personal name, first name) and middle name(middle name). The most important thing is precisely personal name. It is most often the “identifier” of a person.
For reference: The custom of giving a child a middle name goes back to the tradition of assigning several personal names to a newborn. In modern English cases assignments of two or three middle names are more common than no middle name at all. Although there is no law limiting the number of middle names, more than four additional middle names are usually not assigned: Anne Elisabeth Alice Louise, Charles Philip Arthur George, Andrew Albert Christian Edward.
Middle name serves as an additional individualizing sign, especially for persons whose first and last names are widespread. It stands between the first and last names. The middle name is usually represented by the initial letter (middle initial) in full names:
Alan Charles Jones or Alan C. Jones
Both personal names and geographical names, common nouns, etc. are used as middle names. Often the surnames of the people in whose honor it is assigned are used as middle names. Quite recently in England it was generally accepted to give a boy at birth traditional name and a slightly more unusual middle name, and when naming girls, use the same scheme, but in reverse order: if the grown-up girl doesn’t like the name, then you can always use the middle name.
Sometimes the personal name appears only in documents or register books, and the middle name is used instead in everyday use:
Mackenzie Phillips Laura Mackenzie Phillips
JoBeth Williams (Margaret Jobeth Williams).
Some people prefer to use their middle name as their last name:
Tom Cruise (Thomas Cruise Mapother)
Jon Stewart (Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz)
Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson)
Jake Burton (Jake Burton Carpenter).
In the Russian sense, the middle name not identical patronymic, since patronymic in Russian is called “a paternal name, consisting of the base of the father’s name and suffixes: -ovich, -ovna, -evich, -evna, -ich, -ichna, usually added to own name"(T.F. Efremova New dictionary Russian language. Explanatory and word-formative).
It is considered incorrect to write Russian patronymic in the form of one initial letter, as English middle names are usually written. Complete Russian name should be written in English as Ivan Petrov or Ivan Petrovich Petrov, but not like Ivan P. Petrov.
