Using middle names as first names?

[Rachael89]

Has anyone else encountered many instances where relatives have used their middle names as first names throughout their lives? Two of my paternal great-aunts went my middle names, as did two sisters who were cousins of theirs. I must say, it can make researching people extremely confusing!

I would assume that they were known by their middle names because the child displayed a dislike for their actual first name, but that's refuted by the fact I have many comments on photos were children are referred to by their middle names as babies/toddlers!

[patrexjax]

Wow!  This one hits home!     My Father was born William Amor King but all the time he was in England from 1888 to about 1912 or so he was known as "Amor"....then he went to Canada where he was known as "William" or "Bill"....After 1930 he was in the USA and he was known as "Bill" BUT signed his name as "W.A. King"!!! Yes, he has been a lot of fun to search for on various documents....My Father's middle name was in honor of his Uncle who was the closest in age to my Grandmother and I am certain they felt a strong bond......Pat

[heywood]

Hello Rachael,
this is a subject that comes up quite often due to the frustrations it causes.

My husband's family- all living are known by a different name.

I think quite often you see where the child has the parent's name as first name but is often called by middle name to distinguish them from the parent. At least it is often a family name which is passed on.

regards
heywood

[trystan]

Three of my living relatives are using their middle names rather than their first names. 

They're all on the run....

(only joking on that last bit!)

Trystan

[PrueM]

Yes!  In almost every generation I've at least one example.

My great-grandmother's name was Emily Caroline Ethel, but for some reason, for her whole life, she used the name Ethel.  I'd often wondered why, with two other very nice given names, she had to go for the "Ethel" option...then I found her on the 1891 census, aged 9, called Ethel    She had two aunts named Emily and Caroline, and her mother and both grandmothers were also called Caroline, so I supposed it was the practical option!

Cheers
Prue

[Suzy W]

Oh yes found this so often in my family.  Nan was Cecelia but called after her middle name of May.  Auntie was Elsie but known by Mary.  Another Aunt is Dorothy but known as Joan.  Great grand mother is a puzzle, she was Mary but known as Polly.
My mum was Noelene but called "No No" by her nephew.  I do not think any of the female line liked their first names

Suzy W

[andycand]

Hi

I'm known by my middle name, Andrew, and have been since I was a baby. My first name is the same as my fathers so maybe that is why I was always called Andrew. It does have one plus to it, if anyone rings and asks for me by my first name then its not someone I know.

Andy

[Colin Cruddace]

I've just seen Andycand's reply as I was about to put pen to paper 

I'm a bit surprised that most people attribute the blame to the people themselves, who are known by their their middle name. This is usually the name they were brought up with so it is the parents' decision as to which name is used.

My two eldest are known by their middle names, because we had decided which names (after deciding that they would have two forenames) to give them - serious business, isn't it  . In both cases, using their favoured name first would be a bit of a tongue-twister and the other way round rolled off the tongue, so that's how it happened. It was our fault and not the kids 

Colin

[Gillg]

From personal experience I can tell you that using your middle name isn't always easy, as all official documents assume that you are called by your first name.  My first name is particularly awful, and I was mortified recently when my dentist out of the blue greeted me with, "Good morning, H......!". (Why does everyone assume that they can call you by your first name, when they don't even know you?  Hospitals are particularly bad at this.)

Gillg