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.

Catholic

Males in Catholic communities (mostly Belgian, French, Italian, Spanish, and Polish Catholics) are sometimes given what would otherwise be considered a female given name, especially the name Marie or Maria. In France, the most common case is to give a compound first name, such as Jean-Marie or, more rarely, André-Marie or Bernard-Marie; more rarely, Marie is used as third or subsequent given name. See French names for more details on naming practices in France.

Related Topics:
Catholic - Belgian - French - Italian - Spanish - Polish - French names

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Hispanic females, conversely, sometimes have the middle name José. This is particularly common in Roman Catholic families, as a practice aimed at "divine protection" from both sexes (the male trinity and the Virgin Mary).

Related Topics:
Hispanic - Roman Catholic

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