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In this episode, Jessie and Colleen dig into one of the most deceptively tricky parts of naming a baby: the middle name—and the ongoing debate over whether to use a family name or not.

Jessie explains why she’s firmly anti–family middle name, while Colleen shares why she loves them and chose family middles for her own kids. They unpack the emotional weight middle names often carry, the pressure to “honor” someone all from two very different perspectives.

They also explore creative ways to make a middle name feel meaningful without using a family name at all from places that matter in a parent’s relationship, to streets you grew up on, or just using the middle as an opportunity for the fun name you aren't quite bold enough to use for the first. Plus, they talk through why middle names can sometimes feel harder to choose than first names, when compromise makes sense, and how to let go of guilt around your final decision.

If you’re naming a baby, navigating family expectations, or stuck on a middle name that just won’t click, this episode is for you.

Check out the amazing companies featured in this episode using the links below!

Name Bubbles: https://namebubbles.sjv.io/OeNBZQ

Loop Earplugs: loop-earplugs.sjv.io/bOxn6M

The Parent Collective: https://www.theparentcollective.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorXewzguBpDcyYRSCIz7fxYvk8KV0MJb3iuwE6mq3TWd5ygttgx CODE JESSIE10

Harmony Baby: https://wefunder.com/harmony.baby.nutrition?utm_source=JessiePaquette

Id. d’épisode : 1000743510744

GUID : Buzzsprout-18442931

Date de publication : 2/1/2026 à 14:00:00