middle name

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June 30, 2026

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A middle name is a name that comes between a person's first name and their surname. It can also be used figuratively to describe a person's qualities or affinities, as in "Patience is her middle name". The term "middle initial" refers to the first letter of a middle name. The word "middle" itself, from which "middle name" is derived, has been in use since before the 12th century and generally refers to a central or intermediate position.1234

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name
Forms of personal names
This is the second, or middle, name. It may be the original family name of a married woman inserted between her first name and the last name of her husband, the maiden name of one’s mother, as well as other names. In Europe such a second name is less common…
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This is the second, or middle, name. It may be the original family name of a married woman inserted between her first name and the last name of her husband, the maiden name of one’s mother, as well as other names. In Europe such a second name is less common…
Read More