Why do people have middle names?

Question:

Why do people have middle names?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Now, it's more of a novelty or habit than anything else. However, I believe that it began as a way to further identify and separate individuals. In fact, at first, there weren't any last names either. The first chapter of the new testament book of Matthew shows us that using only first names, we were identified: "Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah..., Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar", and so on. As time passed, I'm sure that a shorter form of identification was desired (I know I'd want one). And thus, last names appeared. Some would take on their occupation or the occupation of their father such as Carpenter, Plumber, etc. While others combined their father's name with their relationship to him such as Williamson, Donaldson, etc. With a growing population and many sharing the same name, coupled with the desire (I'm sure) for something unique, a single, or even multiple middle name was added. I mentioned that having a middle name (or names) was more of a novelty or habit now and not really necessary for identification purposes due to such recent developments as fingerprints, social security numbers, etc.