Why do many forms ask for initials instead of full names?

I have seen a lot of forms that ask for the name (first name, middle name, last name) and then initials.

Why does anyone want to ask for initials? Isn't initials the first letters of the name?

For example, name = john doe => initials = J D. Isn't this always true?

Solution 1:

I'm not 100% certain what you're asking, but I can think of a few possibilities.

• As Kosmonaut commented, on most forms, an initials field is asking for a middle initial. If the form designer was sane, the field will appear between the first and last name fields, but you never know.
• The field could be asking for degrees and other initialisms that people put after their names – "John Henry Doe, OD, FAAO", "Lucy Smith, CBE", etc. If the field appears after the first & last names, and especially if there's a separate field already for a middle name or initial, then this would be the most logical explanation.
• As a remote possibility, the field could be asking for a title - Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc. Like the middle initial field, though, it would be bad design to have this after the name fields.
• If it's a long form, there could be places where you need to "initial" (give a quick sign-off for) some important clauses. I haven't encountered this with computerized forms, but it's standard practice with long contracts such as for buying a house.

Solution 2:

The initials can be more complex. My friend Patrick John O'Neill uses the initial "PJO'N", for example - when the software isn't so stupid as not to let him; then he uses "PJON". Also, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore might use the initials APWBD. Also, some people do not have middle names (for example, me).

Solution 3:

The reason of asking Initials might be being professional and responsive. Like while creating the email IDs in organization for official ID, they use initials to make your ID. Like John Keates might have email ID as JK@ abc.com. They might be asking for desired initials, because in our organization I saw few people who randomly got initials in their IDs or User account for web based financial software, were funny and hilarious. like Sabir Ali got the ID SALI, which if pronounced in local language (Pakistan, India) will mean sister in law. similarly another fellow Zulfiqar Alam got ID as ZALAM, whoch pronounce as a word in Urdu/ Hindi which means cruel.

I might be wrong but if the intention is to preempt the situations as stated above, would be great idea.