Some people hide their middle names. Others prefer them: Ashton Kutcher, Debra Winger, Reese Witherspoon, Bruce Willis, Sean Connery, Clark Gable–all use their middle names, not their first.
Historically, middle names are a relatively new trend. They didn’t become popular until the middle of 19th century. In fact, only 3 of our first 17 presidents carried middle names: John Quincy Adams, William Henry Harrison, and James Knox Polk. These days, most modern people (and Presidents) sport middle names or at least initials.
Speaking of initials, did you know that Michael J. Fox’s middle name is Andrew? When he registered with the Screen Actors Guild, which requires unique registration names to avoid credit ambiguities, Michael Fox was already taken, so he decided to adopt “J.” as a new middle initial.
As for me, my middle name is Frances. My husband sometimes calls me ‘Mary Frances’ and I even refer to myself this way when I’m feeling extra sassy. Some of my friends like to call me ‘Sister Mary Frances’ (but I’m not Catholic and far from being a nun!). Like Michael J. Fox, the team members on my pool league invented a new middle name for me. They call me ‘Mary Lou Freebush’ (after the character in Miss Congeniality that Sandra Bullock made famous, Gracie Lou Freebush). They do this to aggravate me, and it works!
Of course, it might be even more aggravating to be called Richard Tiffany Gere. Yes, that’s his middle name–let’s hope it’s a family name! In general, middle names are either given names (like in Anthony Michael Hall) or family surnames (like in George Walker Bush). But there are exceptions to the rule, for example, this famous 80s icon: “First name Mr, middle name ‘period’, last name T!”
Of course, as children, we all know that the real purpose of a middle name; it’s so we can tell when we are really in trouble, which reminds of this joke:
One day little Tommy was walking with an older neighborhood kid named Billy Ray.
“Billy Ray,” Tommy asked curiously, “How come everyone calls you by your first name and your middle name instead of just calling you Billy?”
“Well,” Billy Ray answered, “When I was little like you, I used to get in trouble a lot, and when I did my mom always called me by both names. I guess after a while, it just stuck.”
“Oh no!” Tommy cried. “I’d better straighten up then!”
“Why’s that?” asked Billy Ray.
“I don’t want to end up being called ‘Tommy You Little Sh#!’ for the rest of my life!”
Happy Monday,
Mary
