Middle Name Pride Day

Middle Name Pride Day is an annual American observance celebrating the meaning, history, and heritage behind middle names. In many families, a middle name is chosen to honor ancestors, continue a family tradition, or reflect cultural identity. The holiday is observed on the first Friday of the first full week in March.

History

Middle Name Pride Day is part of a weeklong series of name-related celebrations created in 1997 by onomatologist Jerry Hill. His goal was to encourage people to explore their roots, learn the stories behind their names, and better understand the generations that came before them.

The tradition of giving people additional names dates back to ancient Rome, where members of the upper class often held multiple names to signify status or lineage. After the fall of the Roman Empire, this practice faded but later reappeared in medieval Europe, particularly in England. European settlers carried the custom to North America in the 17th century, where middle names gradually became a common feature of personal identity.

Interesting Facts

• Many well-known figures have multiple names. For example, the author of the Sherlock Holmes stories was named Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle.
• Icelandic naming traditions usually do not include family surnames. Instead, a person’s last name is formed from their parent’s given name.

How to Take Part

Use Middle Name Pride Day as an opportunity to learn the story behind your middle name and explore your family’s history. Talk with relatives, research your family tree, and uncover the origins of your ancestors’ names.

Join the conversation online and ask others whether they know the meaning of their middle name.

When is Middle Name Pride Day in 2026?

Middle Name Pride Day is observed annually on the first Friday of the first full week in March.

Observations