What's my middle name?

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 11, 2006

You are correct about how Americans usually name their children. We give them 1 "first name" (sometimes called a "Christian name" and 1 "middle name." The "last name" or "surname" is most often the family name.

However, some families do things differently and you have every right to choose how you would like to be called. For example, if you want people to call you Maria Lourdes on a daily basis in casual conversation, simply tell people that that's your name and what you prefer to be called. If you wish to make it easier for people to know that, you can choose to write it with a hypen if you wish ... Maria-Lourdes. The hyphen isn't necessary, but it would help strangers to know that you prefer to use both names as your "first name." You can then choose to use Herrera as your middle name.

Another option is to choose to use Herrera-Rivero as your last name. Once again, the hyphen tells people that your last name has 2 parts that you use as 1 surname. I've known people from Latin American who have chosen to do it this way. Then you could use Lourdes as your middle name. Married women also sometimes choose this option. After marriage, they combine their old surname with their husband's surname with a hyphen. (For example: Mary Jane Smith marries John Jones and becomes Mary Jane Smith-Jones.)

There are no rigid rules. You really can choose how you would like your name to be expressed. I would just advise you to be consistent. Choose one way to express your name and then stick with it so that all of your paperwork matches exactly. I would also ask whoever is helping you with your paperwork (attorney? agency? consolate? etc.) if there are any laws that apply as you fill out your paperwork.

llg

nursecpa · Feb 13, 2006

Do you read MA. as MARIA? Again, in my country., MA. and MARIA are the same. Ma. is the abbreviated form of Maria so that you can write that name in either way. If an important document, let's say college diploma, bears the name Ma. Lourdes Rivero but all other records are in Maria Lourdes Rivero, you think that diploma is questionable? Just curous :)

BTW, Maria Lourdes is not my real name

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 13, 2006

No, in the US, MA. is not interpreted as Maria. Many many other interpretations, but certainly not Maria.

You need to go by the name you want and not worry about American traditions of names. Some people, like my grandson have several names. He has five names (including his last name).

As for the diploma, possibly someone would question this, but you can prove it is yours and that's all that matters.