Middle name as first names?

[tinylittlestars.livejournal.com]

I was a really big fan of the band Hanson, and was interested to find that all the males of their family go by their middle.

Parents
Clarke Walker Hanson - Goes by Walker
Diana Frances Hanson - Goes by Diana

Children
Clarke Isaac Hanson - Goes by Isaac/Ike
Jordan Taylor Hanson - Goes by Taylor/Tay
Zachary Walker Hanson - Goes by Zachary/Zac
Jessica Grace Hanson - Goes by Jessica/Jessie/Jess
Avery Laurel Hanson - Goes by Avery/Avie
Joshua Mackenzie Hanson - Goes by Mackenzie/Mackie/Mac
Zoe Genevive Hanson - Goes by Zoe

Taylor is married with 2 children
Jordan Ezra Hanson - Goes by Ezra
Penelope Anne Hanson - (Apparently) Goes by Ellie (apparently not by Penny, as Hanson's latest radio release was "Penny & Me")


Okay, so now you think I am really stalkerish, knowing all their families names etc. (being a fan for 10 years does that to you) however what I want to know is what do you think of this? and do you have any idea why a family would use a tradition like this? I guess I've always been interested.

Comments

[laananas.livejournal.com]

I don't get it. If you like a name, and plan to call your child by that name, why not give them that name?

[so-there.livejournal.com]

I think the idea is that you're naming them after someone to honor that person, but then you don't want too many people being called by the same name, so you call them by their middle name.

or, you're cheesy like my grandparents and name your kid Mary Christine because she was born on christmas eve, but call her Chrissy because that's the name you like better :)

anyway, I don't get it either. we're just using family names as middle names.