Middle name

Many people's names include one or more middle names, placed between the first given name and the last name. In the West, a middle name is effectively a second given name. A middle name is usually substituted by the middle initial, as evidenced George W. Bush and John F. Kennedy. Also social security cards and most state driver license only have the middle initial for better organization purposes.

Related Topics:
Name - Given name - Last name - Middle initial - George W. Bush - John F. Kennedy - Social security - Driver license

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Despite their relatively long existence in the Western world, the phrase "middle name" was not coined until 1835 in "Harvardiana", a school song of Harvard. Since 1905, "middle name" gained a figurative connotation meaning a notable or outstanding attribute of a person. This figurative use is especially popular in films (see "Quotes" in External links).

Related Topics:
Harvard - External links

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