This was a subject I thought long and hard about for relations in our families combined histories. It is also a subject that crosses many other cultures. Some countries didn't recognize use of middle names - all multiple names were the given name. Now we have Alma August Josephine as given and later in time a patriarchal last name was assigned.
Those leading before us had a name, not several names at the same time- although this known name would and did often change throughout life as determined as by culture. Names were a phrase meaning a specific thing/event. To do history right we must adhere to "the specific cutures" naming patterns at the time in order to ensure all are recorded correctly. In event of "phrase" names in past- this should go in last name, complete. Just as many in parts of the world have no middle name to be placed on a line in todays' world forms for middle name, some will have nothing in that first blank or the second. I'll be one that doesn't alter history to fit a specific "beautification/conformity". Genetic "slang" terms created over the years has no basis qualifying a persons name. Apologies my "Metis" fam, I must speak bluntly. Todays' tribal or fed recognized affiliation is separate from who the person was- that item belongs in biography. Genealogy is history. We must write truth.