We asked our readers to help demystify this unique tradition.
Wrote oneSouthern Livingreader, My dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather all had the same first name.
They all went by their middle names.
Credit:Everett Collection
Imagine the confusion if you called for Earl and three people answered you!
Myself and my 3 oldest siblings all go by our middle names, wrote another reader.
Our names just are easier on the ear in the order our parents placed them.
Credit:H. Armstrong Roberts
To Make the Most of a Moniker
Youve got to work with what youve got.
I guess it’s the lesser of two evils!!
If youre an expecting parent, dont name your child one name and call him/her by their middle.
Credit:H. Armstrong Roberts
It truly is a huge hassle.
Another wrote, All of my financial, business, medical, passport/ID have my first name.
