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Of course you dont have to have one, my three nieces have gone through life perfectly well without middle names and my daughter hates her middle name.

1. I know plenty of people without middle names. For me... middle naming is just a way to add a family tie. My brothers and I are all named after aunts and uncles. And my little girl will be named after my grandmother, whom I adore. With any luck... she'll wonder who's she's named after and why... and then perhaps strive to be like the great woman my grandmother is.

Another thing that's common in my family is for the middle name to be after saints. (We are Catholic.) My aunt was born with disabilities, and for every child my grandmother had after (4 more of them) she prayed to St. Gerard, the Patron Saint of Expectant mothers so that they would be born healthy. So all of their middle names are some version of the name Gerard.

I'd say if you have a name that has some kind of importance to you and sounds nice with whatever first name you fancy... go for it. But it's by no means necessary.

2. I am godmother to my bestfriend from middle school's little boy and girl. (I am Catholic, but they aren't.) They didn't baptise their children... so I'm not Godmother in the Catholic sense. But she split ties from her family long ago... and he was adopted, so should anything happen to the both of them... legally they have me and my husband written down as the caretakers of their children. Hence the term "God parents."

In the religious sense, it's just a title for someone who will help to raise your child on whichever religious path you follow. ( Incase the parents "stray", I suppose?) But the term can be used outside of religion as well. It's really up to you. Good luck and congrats!

It really depends on sometimes the culture, and sometimes preference of the "naming authority" (parents)

For example, in Africa, people usually have 2 names, coz the first name may be a Christian name, and second name traditional name, then surname follows.

In Russia, and former USSR countries, the middle names are taken from their parents.

if for example your father's first name is Vladimir, surname Putin, then you (his son) will be Ali Vladimirovich Putin, and your sister maybe Natasha Vladimirovna Putina.

As regards Godparents, I have heard that some breakaway churches still use the term Godfather and Godmother. For some other churches, they call them a deferent name, although the whole concept is the same.

Middle names are optional, just be careful what you choose, a combination of initials could be embarrassing.

My own last name is Ball, if i named my son Kevin then gave him the middle name George, it would just be wrong. KGB.

My 2 sons have there Grandfathers names as there middle names, safe and keeps the parents and in-laws happy, Nathan David Ball and Gregor Charles Ball.

I am unsure about the Godparent bit though, i am god parent for my two sisters children, they are catholic i am not. As far as i know the role of the godparent is for them to raise and teach the child in a manner that the parent would in the event of them being unable to and that the godparent is named at the christening of the child.

1. I have some friends who don't have middle names and I joke around and "give them mine" I guess it's just tradition to have a middle name... I feel it's slightly odd but still acceptable to not have a middle name, or in my cousin's case- have 2 middle names!

2. I have a god- mother and father even though I am not Catholic. They are like my 2nd set of parents, home away from home, their daughter is my best friend and we are so close we are like sisters... so we dubbed it as God-family!

yes the godmother and father thing is in every religion.

no you do not habve to have a middle name but alot of kids do and your baby may feel left out,. i would stick an anne or something in there so the baby wioll have one

No, you don't have to have a middle name, but when your cute little bundle gets older and starts behaving badly, you just might want to grab his or her attention by saying "John Kevin Smith...Stop hitting your sister!" LOL

As for Godmother and Godfather...sure you can have them if you're not Catholic.

Idont know about the god mother and father, but it is your kid, your life your story so your call. Do what you think and believe. I would. Middle name. My kids have no middle name and people frown at me cuz of this. I dont understand but what is the purpose of a middle name? These people tell me to help identify the kid in school, to give them the option of a second name in case they dont like there first one. I say DRAMA just stick to first name last name.

plus i had a middle name and i never used it but had to fill it out for some paper work and it was like why? who the heck is my middle name. so i gave it to one of mykids as a first name. Igot rid of it....but i still have to claim it on legal documents.

= P

it has always been tradition in my family that girls do not get middle names but boys do! The whole marriage and last name "thing". I am Protestant and do not have a godfather or godmother. So, to answewr your question, you don't "have" to give middle names!

I wouldn't give the child a middle name because its a pain in the ass when filling out application when full name is required, and they don't want a middle initial, especially the fill in the bubble forms.