This supposedly simple question has pitched me against those who always think that whatever is common and popular is always correct.

To answer the question, the rule is:

First name (first name does not mean surname)
Middle name, and
Surname (last name)

Barack Hussein Obama
not
Obama Hussein Barack

But someone may wish to ask: but that's not the order on forms, especially common entrance forms and forms issued in banks. Yes. The order above is what is correct. Because that's the correct order or the norm, the banks, for instance, state how they want the forms they issue to be filled in. Hence, you see the instruction underneath, surname first. There will probably be a reason for this peculiarity! Haven't you wondered that you never hear Obama Barack or Bush George! That's because it's incorrect to do so.

However, if you intend to write your surname first, you can write it thus:

OBAMA Barack Hussein
or
Obama, Barack Hussein

In addition, always use a title Mr, Miss, Dr, etc, with the surname, not first name. Dr Carson, not Dr Ben; or Mr Maurice Bruce, not Mr Bruce Maurice. However, if you wish to introduce yourself by your first name together with a title, it is necessary to add the surname thus:

Dr Ben Carson
not
Dr Carson Ben

Similarly, if you want to write your initials, it is should be written thus:

Initials before the name. For example:

D.H. Lawrence
D. H. Lawrence
It is not so common to see D H Lawrence

Or

Initials after name (separated by a comma). For example:

Obasanjo, O. O.

Aga Khan, S.

That brings me to another contentious point on how to write names. For those who bear English names, including names after Bible characters, the English name should come before the other name (indigenous name). You may not like it. Some folks have also argued that it shouldn't be so. They wonder why the supposedly English name should precede the indigenous name. Arguments and ill-feelings notwithstanding, that's just the norm. Hence, it's correct to say:

Peter Ayodele Fayose
not
Ayodele Peter Fayose

But does it matter? When I am asked this question, I usually tell the story of a man who planned to go on vacation with his wife but the wife couldn't make the vacation eventually. So the man went alone. In those days there were no phones. He wanted to tell his wife he was having fun and proceeded to the receptionist to send a telegram. He dictated the following words, "Having a nice time, wish you were here." However, the receptionist typed, "Having a nice time, wish you were her." Omitting letter 'e'! The question is: did it matter that letter 'e' was omitted or not? Good morning!

You will have a nice day!




Source:
http://olabanjititles..com/2019/12/how-should-name-be-written-you-probably.html?m=1


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Wonderful write up

One of the toughest and dynamic language on earth is English. It is a language that borrows from other languages, improve on it's usage and has stand the test of time for decades. Well done op