Middle Names?! Happy with yours?

Males in some predominantly Catholic communities (mostly Bavarian (but almost never other German), Belgian, French, Italian, Spanish, and Polish Catholics) are sometimes given what would otherwise be considered a female given name, especially the name Marie or Maria. In France, the most common case is to give a compound first name, such as Jean-Marie or, more rarely, André-Marie or Bernard-Marie; more rarely, Marie is used as third or subsequent given name. See French names for more details on naming practices in France.

Hispanic females, conversely, sometimes have the middle name José. This is particularly common in Roman Catholic families, as a practice aimed at "divine protection" from both sexes (the male trinity and the Virgin Mary).

The use of such names is primarily a cultural issue, rather than a religious issue. There is no Church teaching regarding such names.

Catholics also choose a Confirmation name when they receive the sacrament of Confirmation. This new name may be used as a second middle name.