Is it common to go by your middle name?

Question

I know some people prefer their middle name over their first name, so is it common for people to just by their middle name? If so, do they use it on everything but things that require your legal name or are they simply just called by their middle name only? I'm an avid baseball fan, so I know this is done quite often in Major League Baseball.

Also, kind of a similar question. Would you say a majority of people use the shorter or nickname version of their name? Such as Jake instead of Jacob, Matt instead of Matthew, Jim instead of James, etc. Again, when is using the shorter name appropriate instead of your legal full name?

Answer 1

Yes

Answer 2

I use my middle name

It's not common, most people go by there first names

It's not weird or odd, a lot of people do it

When I met someone, I say my name is Ann

On my resume or Checks or any legal documents, I would have to use B. Ann

The b is the first name

You do not have to use your first name, but on legal documents you have have your first name or initial

Does that make sense

Answer 3

I think its more common than people realize for someone to use their middle name.  A few of my aunts go by their middle names and everyone calls them by their middle names...but on legal documents they use their first names.

As for nicknames, I go by my nickname all the time.  My full name is Moniquica but everyone calls me Mo.  My boss even calls me Mo.  But again, even when I fill out paperwork for my job, I write down Moniquica, even though he calls me Mo.

Answer 4

I have known several people who have gone by their middle name.  For example my mother in law is called Chistine Alison Lloyd and goes by Alison.  She would write her name as Alison Lloyd usually only Christine Alison Lloyd on a form which asks for FULL name.  She would never need just Christine Lloyd.  She also writes C A Lloyd or just A Lloyd but never C Lloyd. She could also be C. Alison Lloyd.  

I think most people with long names go by shorter nicknames.  For example Jennifer: Jenny.  But some people with short names go by longer niknames which sound less formal for example Grace: Gracie, Charles: Charlie

Answer 5

I think most people go by their middle name, if they have living ancestors with the same first name.  My husband was William the 5th, so he was called by his middle name due to still having his father and grandfather (both William) alive.  When signing legal documents, he still has to go by his full given name.

Answer 6

well i prefer my first name but i do have an aunt that calls me by middle name. she never uses my first name! seriously.. every gift she has given me, she writes my middle name. but anyways, yeah, i know people who prefer their middle names over first names. its just their perosnal choice. some may not like their first name or their parents called them by their middle name as a nickname.

and i do agree that the majority of people shorten their name. i shorten their names as well, like jess for jessica, ari for ariana, cheli for michelle and so forth. but i don't know about the legal stuff. talk to a lawyer or someone in that field.

Answer 7

u might think tht this is a rediculous answer...but i think tht it would be fine to go by your middle names....like KEVIN JONAS...his real name is Paul kevin Jonas II

Answer 8

My husband is Richard, but his credit cards, debit card, bank account, and etc all have his name as Rick.  That's just what he always uses--no one ever calls him Richard.

Answer 9

I knew a guy named Chad and I never knew until at least a year after I met him that his real name was Michael Chad...he just always went by his middle name. I'm guessing they have to use their real name on legal things though. I do think of lot of people use the shorter version of their names...like Joe for Joseph. My dad is Tom..short for Thomas. I think you can use it at work, with friends, signing your name for a credit card purchase. I'm sure though that if you go to court, they may use your real name though.