The name "Minor"
People react differently to learning my name, Minor Gordon. Some think they've misheard. Some assume "Gordon" is my first name. Some make jokes -- I've lost count of the number of times I've been asked if my dad was named "Major".
"Minor" is my first name and "Gordon" is my last name. My middle initial is "E". Minor E. Gordon.
"Minor" is pronounced like "my-nor". Non-native English speakers often pronounce it like "me-nor".
"Minor" is a family name:
My father, Dr. Minor W. Gordon, was a clinical psychologist in Claremore, Oklahoma, where I grew up.
My grandfather, Dr. Minor E. Gordon, was a medical doctor in Claremore.
As was his father, Dr. Minor H. Gordon.
"Minor" was originally a last name among my father's ancestors, then became a middle name after a marriage. It's common practice in the U.S. for women to adopt their original/maiden last name as a middle name when they get married.
