Why do we have middle names?

for sure your name.....

To make people easier to differentiate. There are so many people with the same first names and last names, and so middle names help make full names different.

it's actually mainly a western thing. I have many latino and other ethnic friends who do not have middle names. In saying that though... many of them have 2 first names.

here's a link to a big article on the origin/history of middle names:

http://askville.amazon.com/middle-names/AnswerView...

hope it helps.

in the old days (back in the early AD and late BC) middles names were a sign of wealth. it just has become a common thing.

In case someone else has the same name, you can use your middle name for no confusion.

id was taught that middle names came from slavery i could explain but im tired right now srry ok im better now here we go i was taught that they came from slavery because when a slave had a master he had 1 name and when that master sold him off to another master he would get another names this maybe happened serveral time resulting in several names lets say that your master's name was rick then your would be rick's master but rick sold your to dave youd then become rick dave or atleast that what i think i might be completely off

Just in case you're okay with your first name..... You can always turn your middle name into your nickname.

I thought it was supposed to be Your dad's first name,

that is to become your middle name. (or your mother's name)

because your parents couldn't choose between a certain name, so just crammed two together, but called the second one your middle name.

also if theres a history behind you, you will want to be called after somebody.

I don't know but my middle name is Joseph

The same reason that we have first names & last names.