I have 5 names total - what goes where in the forms?

[SparklePony 238]

Hello everyone,

I have a question regarding First, Middle, Last names. I've searched in other threads but my question wasn't really answered. I'm Portuguese by birth and have 5 names in total. I have two given names, my mother's last family name, and my dad's two last family names. As you can see, the concept of Middle Name doesn't really apply.

So, my question is, where do I put what? Which names do I put in the First, Middle and Last name categories?

Thank you for the help.

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

You can decide if your two given names are two first names or a first and a middle. Or you can decide that your 3 last names are a middle name and a last name with 2 parts.

Is it... Mary Jane Smith-Jones-Brown

or

Mary-Jane Smith Jones-Brown?

or something else?

I know that it all doesn't really match up to what you are used to.

Also, consult your passport, what is your last name on your passport? Did they drop some of the family names?

[SparklePony 238]

There are no hyphens in my name. My passport says the following:

Surname: (My mother's and Father's family names)
Given name(s): (My two given names)

No names are dropped, shortened or with initials only on any official ID documents, here (passports, ID cards, driver's license, etc). So, not a lot of help there.

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

I know there are no hypens, I was just asking about what parts go together. I'm sorry for not being clearer.

It appears to me that you have two first names, no middle name, and three last names.

But, what do people call you? Do they call you two first names, or just one?

[sparkles_ 462]

I wonder the same. My fiance has 4 names in his passport, and someone told me he would put the first 3? Don't count me on it though.

[SparklePony 238]

It appears to me that you have two first names, no middle name, and three last names.

Yes, I would say that as well.

As for what people call me, for personal reasons ONLY, I have gone by my second first name for basically all my life.

It's very common here to find women called Maria Something where everyone just uses the Something. It's also very common to see a Ana Something that can go either by Ana, by the combination, or just by the Something. It all boils down to the parents' preference, first, and later the person's own preference. Just as an example, the same way I go by my second first name, so does my mom and my dad, whereas my brother and his wife both go by their first first name. It's really a cultural thing.

Later down the road, I plan on using the name I usually answer to as first, my dad's last family name as middle, and my fiance's last name as my last. But that's for later. Right now, we have forms to file with all my 5 names.

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

Sounds like a plan!

[KayDeeCee 4,900]

You can fill it out as it is on your legal documents. Put the 2 first names, leave the middle name blank and list the 3 last names for surname. If it doesn't all fit, use an attachment. My husband does not have that many names to deal with, just the 2 last names like is typical for the Latino culture. We used his 2 last names on everything, sometimes putting 2 spaces between to make sure they knew it was 2 separate names acting as one family name. From the K-1 through ROC, they have never made a mistake with his names.

If you get married in a state that has you list your married name on the license too, then you could put the names you want to go by there. Not all states have that though.

[JessJoe 9]

Let's put an example,

if your name is Ana Maria Peres Duran Montes which has 5 names.... should be ordered as follow:

First name: Ana-Maria Middle Name: Peres Last Name: Duran-Montes.

That's how I'd do.

Good luck and regards!