Quote:
Originally Posted by cillian
I always thought the purpose of a middle name was, just in case your kid really hated their first name they could go by another name without making up an alias.
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I think there are many reasons why people give middle names to children, but the main one is because of tradition. Also it probably helps to give a certain amount of insight into the person's background - an indication of the class and values of the family that they come from.
People who give their children nicknames - "Bobby Joe", instead of Robert Joseph; or "Billy Bob" rather than William Robert, are making a statement as well - that they scorn sophistication.