What does MI mean when ordering on a US website, it is not something I have seen before?

Middle initial.

Yes, Middle Initial. Is it on the name line? Asking First Name, MI, and then Last Name?

Unless it is popping up in the state area (as in city and state) for some reason? MI is the postal abbreviation for the state of Michigan, and there would be a pull down to choose other states. You would need to change the country to trigger your correct format if it is coming up with the US state options.

Edit: I just read your details. It is definitely middle initial. Sorry I didn’t see the details initially.

Great!

@JLeslie, initially. Haha.

@Jeruba :)

@Adagio I’m just curious, are middle names not given in your country? Or, do you just call it something else? Like second name maybe?

@JLeslie I have never encountered being asked for my middle initial online, on any website. I can’t see the relevance actually.

@Adagio I agree for this type of order it’s irrelevant. Maybe there are standard formats or codes that can be put in when creating websites? I don’t know anything about website creation, but I don’t think each one, or all parts, are from “scratch.”

In America we are very often asked for a middle initial on forms. Too many people have the same first and last name combination I think, and the middle initial helps avoid mix-ups.

Although, in my experience a huge percentage of people with my first name have the same middle initial as me. I wonder what the percentage actually is?

@Adagio Were you given the option of clicking something to indicate that your billing address is the same as your mailing address? If so, they may be asking for your middle initial as a way of confirming your credit card information.

@SavoirFaire Most companies don’t name match the middle initial for charges. I’m not saying it’s impossible, just improbable.

@JLeslie Maybe. I’m just going by my own credit card company, which requires me to put my middle initial down (since it is part of my official name on my card).

I’ve never known a credit card to require a middle initial. That would be new, but definitely possible now that full names are being required more and more. The credit card match is what is important. If the last name on the card is Smith, then the merchant needs to enter Smith correctly or it will if declined if the merchant has it set to match last names. Merchants can set up what needs to match. They can require the name, the address, the house number only. The zip code only, etc. they can turn on or off the different parts of the information. Full address is too much room for error and rejecting cards that are good.