Hi,

Naming systems are very much part of their culture. Here's how it works in N. American culture.

given name + middle name + family name Yes

first name + second name + last name Yes

Christian name + Christian name + surname Yes.

Given name is another term for Christian name.

Some people don't have a second or middle name. A few have more than two given names.

What's the counterpart of 'second name'?  Middle name. Very often, middle names are never used. I don't much like mine, and I never use it.

Do you have any more questions about this?

There is also the whole topic of what happens to a woman's family name when she getes married, if you are interested. Also, the topic of how given names are selected.

Best wishes, Clive

Nona The Brit wrote:

Diffrerent cultures have different traditions regarding names. There is a thread here from someone in India who was trying to work out what his name would be expressed in a more European way, and because the systems are so completely different, we were not able to work out a definitive answer for him. There had to be a compromise there. In the UK it is much the same as the US version - although of course we have lots of people from other cultures living here and their names may well follow a completely different pattern. First/Christian name (Christian name is usually avoided now as a term, and it is not used on any official forms etc, as a lot of people are not Christians. It should only really be called a Christian name if it is your baptised name). This is everyone's everyday name, what their friends call them, etc. Middle name(s) other names chosen by the parents. some people do not have a middle name at all, most people have one or two, some people have more. Surname - this is your family name. In the UK, children are usually given their father's surname but sometimes they may take the mother's instead.

Do you imply that first names are not given by parents? Since you said 'Middle names: other names chosen by the parents'.