What is an example of a full name?

What’s in a Full Name? A Look at Naming Conventions Around the World

When we talk about a full name, we often think of the familiar structure common in English-speaking countries: first name, middle name, and last name. A classic example is John Fitzgerald Kennedy—John being his given name, Fitzgerald the middle name (often a family or honorific name), and Kennedy the family surname passed down through generations. This format is standard across much of the Anglosphere, including the United States, the UK, and Australia.

However, naming customs vary widely around the world. In many Spanish-speaking countries, for instance, people often have two surnames—one from each parent. A person might be named María López García, with López from the father and García from the mother. In contrast, some cultures prioritize the family name first. In China, for example, the surname comes before the given name, so someone named Li Wei has “Li” as the family name and “Wei” as the personal name—reversing the Western order.

Other cultures may not use middle names at all, or may include generational titles, patronymics, or even religious names. In Iceland, surnames are often patronymic—ending in “-son” or “-dóttir”—so Þóra Magnúsdóttir literally means “daughter of Magnús.”

Even within countries, differences emerge based on ethnicity, religion, or regional tradition. So while John Fitzgerald Kennedy fits a familiar Western mold, it’s just one variation in a rich global tapestry of naming practices. Understanding these differences isn’t just about accuracy—it’s about respecting cultural identity.