Salaam. Is there any significance with second name or middle name in Islam. Is it recommended to have a middle name with good meaning or is it not necessary.
Answer
Alaikumassalaam wa rahmatullah,
No, second names or middle names have no significance in Islam and they are non-existent in Arab culture. The vast majority of Arab Muslims have just one name, such as Ahmad or Muhammad, and no other name. Their "second name" is the name of their father, and their third name the name of their grandfather, and so on. A person himself or herself does not have two names, they only have one name. But in official documents and to differentiate between two people whose names are Muhammad, for example, their name is written or said along with their father and grandfather's name.
For this reason you do not need to have a second name, even though some cultures do it, like Desi culture. This is completely optional and it is a cultural preference, it is not part of Islam.
