Monogram etiquette isn’t always clear. For example, the monogram order for married couples is different than the order for single people. So, what order do initials go in a monogram? We have summarized the monogram initials order for you to clear up any confusion.
Monogram Initials Order
Monogram Order
Monogram for Single Individuals (including Children)
Monogram Letter Order:
One Letter Initial – Initial of first or last name.
Two Letter Monogram – First name then last name.
Three letter monogram
- When the middle initial is larger – First name initial then last name and then the middle name.
- When all three initials are the same size – First name initial then middle name and then last name.
Four letter monogram (when a person has two middle names) – First name initial then middle name, middle name and then last name.
Married Monogram Order
Monogram for Married Women
Monogram Name Order:
Three letter monogram
- When her last name is hyphenated – First name initial then the first initial of the spouse’s last name and then her maiden name initial.
- When she changes her name – First name initial then the first initial of her new last name and then her maiden name initial or middle name initial.
Four letter monogram
When her last name is hyphenated and the second and third letters are larger – First name initial then the first and second initial of her new hyphenated last name and then her middle name initial.
Monogram for Married Men
Three letter monogram order
- When the middle initial is larger – First name initial then last name and then the middle name.
- When all three initials are the same size – First name initial then middle name and then last name.
Four letter monogram (when he has two middle names) – First name initial then middle name, middle name and then last name.
Couple Monogram Order
One Initial – Last name initial.
Two Initial Monogram – Woman’s first name then the man’s first name.
Three Initial monogram (when the middle initial is larger) – Woman’s first name then the couple’s last name and then the man’s first name.
Four Initial monogram (when both partners keep their last name) – Woman’s first name then the woman’s last name then the man’s first name and then his last name.
When creating a wedding monogram or couples monogram it is always best to check with the couple what their preferred monogram letter order is. You can also never know if the bride is going to keep her name, change it or hyphenate it. This is particularly important when you monogram items that cannot be returned.
Remember that these are only guidelines. It is your monogram and you are free to use any order you want.