'I gave my son 27 middle names and let our friends pick - but I can't remember them all'

When it comes to picking a baby's name, most parents are keen to have the support of their family and friends.

But one couple went further than most when they asked their loved ones for ideas - then used all 27 suggestions.

Keen to give their son a "unique" moniker, they opted for a staggering 27 middle names.

But the names have left many baffled, the child' s father included, as he can no longer remember them all.

Taking to Quora, the proud dad explained that he and his partner came up with the idea in the 70s, and as "dyed-in-the-wool Hippies" they wanted "something that would reflect this huge Love Revolution that was storming the Planet."

The dad cannot remember all of his child's names (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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He claimed: "Thus, we gave him a first name (Rain,) and then asked each of our dear friends to contribute ONE middle name each. That way, he could choose whichever name he wanted to use at any point."

And while he "did forget some", he could remember several of the names, which included: "Storm, Thunder, Cloud, Fire, Flight, Ambrose, Elijah, Food, Bird, Hawk, Wind, Ocean."

"The final tally was 27 middle names," he added. Each one was meant to honour the couple's "new chosen family", though the dad added "very few" still remain in their lives.

He continued: "The overarching deal, however, was that we assured him from his very first breath that it was HIS name, and he could choose any of them, reject all of them, or choose a new one by himself.

"The fascinating part came when he was about 3 years old. We were explaining to him for the umpteenth time that he could choose his own name whenever he wanted to.

"He said 'I know, daddy! You keep telling me that!' So we said, 'OK, what name do you want to be called now?' He said he wanted to think about it, and slept on it overnight.

"The next day, he said 'I know what name I want to be called now'. We were excited to hear what he would come up with. His new name at age 4? BETTY CROCKER!"

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