I agree w/ Lady Pi Phi. My parents gave me my name...and as much as I hate it I respect it.
Actually, my first name (Donna) comes from my father's name (Donald). My middle name is the same as my mother's first name. So my name is a combination of both of my parents. My whole life I've hated my middle name...and my mother and I have never had a good relationship so that didn't help. But a few years before I got married, my perspective started to change. It's my name...it's what my parents wanted me to have. Especially in cases where the child is named after the parent, or a grandparent, that's a connection that isn't easily forgotten.
In the case of a woman who's middle name is the mother's maiden name (or another family name)...what does she do? She might not want to forget her mother's family...and she might not want to forget her father's family either.
One day, I'll be using that middle initial in honor & memory of my mother's name, not just b/c it's my name.
Guys just have it so much easier - they don't have to deal w/ this crap.
