First/Given Names Confusion

Does first/given names means forename + middle name? I usually put my middle name in the middle name category, you see, but there isn't an option for that here. All my certificates have my full name: forename, middle name, surname.

I know it's a perfectly trivial thing to be concerned about, but I don't really want people addressing me by the whole lot of first name and middle name under the mistaken impression that it's all one name. :P On the other hand, I don't want any confusion caused over my certificates or my passport. My passport curiously puts everything in reverse order: surname, middle name, forename.

Reply 1

HannahZ

4

If it says 'first name' just put one name - Your first one (but not a family name)
If it says 'first names' (plural) then it means all your names (but not your family name)

Given names are your individual names not your family name.

The problem comes for people like me who don't use their first name. I get terrible problems. I registered with my first name but had to go to admin to get the database changed to the name I actually use. Some people have double names with hyphens and double names without hyphens it gets very confusing. If you want them to treat a double name as one name it's better to use a hyphen then there's no confusion.

Reply 2

Improbably

First name is usually the name which is on your passport. Given name is the name which is on your birth cert.
For example, if you were baptised Christopher, then this is your given name. Then on your passport you might have Chris, which is your first name.

Reply 3

Juno

20

If they do address you by the wrong name, you can always tell them! It doesn't really matter if they address any letters to "Joe Adam Bloggs", but it would get annoying if they called you that in person.

Reply 4

HannahZ

4

Names can be confusing.

A surname = family name. It is inherited from one generation to the next and usually shared by more than one member of the family.

Your individual or personal names were 'given' to you at birth or baptism and are not inherited. These are known as 'given' names. In the west these usually come first and so are often called 'first' names or 'forenames'. In China they are often not the first name but when Europeans say 'first name; they mean your 'given' name and not your family name.

Some people have a double hyphenated first name like Marie-Louise. If you don't include the hyphen they will be treated as two separate names in the database. If you want it to be treated as one name you will have to use a hyphen. Similarly for double barrelled surnames.

It's usually easier to keep to one form of your name for all official documents. The trouble comes when you use different variations and then the databases can't cope. Computers are so stupid. They can't see that Bill is actually William or Becky is Rebecca. Whatever you register with at the start will be the name that ends up or your degree certifiicate so make sure you set things straight from the start. I have terrible trouble as I use two different names and the spellling is wrong on one of my official documents so I get endless problems.

Reply 5

adz06

8

HannahZ

If it says 'first name' just put one name - Your first one (but not a family name)
If it says 'first names' (plural) then it means all your names (but not your family name)

Given names are your individual names not your family name.

The problem comes for people like me who don't use their first name. I get terrible problems. I registered with my first name but had to go to admin to get the database changed to the name I actually use. Some people have double names with hyphens and double names without hyphens it gets very confusing. If you want them to treat a double name as one name it's better to use a hyphen then there's no confusion.

This is a similar problem to what i have. As for the lnat i put the name that is on my certificates and college id. Howver on my passport it states something different mohammed adil siddiqui . But i put down just adil siddiqui. I may change my name to adil mohammed siddiqui, or just not pick unis that require lnat! My mum also is worried as she said that unis may think you have not got these results as does not say the name on your passport !

Reply 6

HannahZ

4

If you are concerned that there will be some confusion. Just email the admissions secretary/tutor and explain your concern. You just need to clarify that you are the same person who did the lnat. They must be able to identify you by your UCAS number as it's not that rare for two people to have the same name. Two girls in my class at school had exactly the same names including their middle names.

First/Given Names Confusion

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