Monogram Guidelines (2024)

What is a monogram?

A monogram is a motif, a form of design with two or more letters using a person’s initials. Usually, it is made up of three letters, the variation of the first, last and middle name - the initials or letters are interwoven or are combined in a decorative design to act as a logo or identification of a person’s possession. Aside from the traditional method, we are going to share with you a range of creative ideas and monogram rules that you may use to create your own monogram.

These tips may prove extremely useful in choosing out a gift for a friend or loved one - especially since monograms have recently become a big jewelry trend - you can now have a custom piece made specifically for that person, it doesn’t get much more personal and thoughtful than that.

Where does the monogram originate from?

In older times, monograms were used by artists and craftsmen as signatures to mark their works, from paintings, sculptures, furniture to jewelry. Monograms were also used as royal signatures. Monograms were further adapted by wealthy families and used as a symbol or emblem of their distinguished family to identify their belongings that include but are not limited to weaponry, linens and cutlery.

Nowadays, monograms are popularly used in weddings. Marrying couples create a monogram of their initials to be used on wedding invitations, wedding stationeries and other details of the wedding. In addition, monogrammed jewelry has become a big fashion trend and people worldwide are purchasing items such as the monogram necklace, bracelets and rings.

Monogram Etiquette

Have you been wondering how do monogram initials work? Now we are going to talk you through monogram etiquette so you can understand how the monogram system works.

• The traditional monogram of a single female is in this order:
  First Name Initial - Last Name Initial - Middle Name Initial
  E.g. ‘Sage Abigail Collins’ would be:

  sCa

  
  
• While for single males, monogram initials follow a left to right approach which is:
  First Name Initial – Middle Name Initial - Last Name Initial
  E.g. ‘James Carl Kennedy’ would be:

  jCk

  
  

The initials can all be capitals with the center letter being larger than the outer two. However, often the first and last initials displayed would be small case letters with the centered initial being a capital.

Two Letter Initials

If you don’t have a middle name or choose to exclude it from your monogram then you may choose only two letters. The position of the letters is arranged from left to right. Usually both letters are capitalized unless requested otherwise.

• First name – Last name
  E.g. ‘Richard Kent’ would be:

  RK

  
  

Married Women

For married women who like to have their maiden and married name monogrammed - for example Abigail Collins Smith, with Collins being her maiden name and Smith her married last name - traditionally, her monogrammed initials will be arranged as follows:

• First name initial - Married last name initial - Maiden name initial
  The center letter is larger than the two letters on either side.

  aSc

  
  

Married Couples

For married couples who wish to have a monogram of their names together, for example: Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey and Abigail Smith. The monogram would be arranged traditionally as follows:

• First name initial of the bride - Their last name initial - The groom’s first name initial
  The center letter is larger than the two letters on either side.

  aSg

  See Also

  Monogram EtiquetteMonogram Etiquette 101: Your Guide to Correct Monogram Styles – Wed Society® | North Texas (formerly Brides of North Texas)Abbreviations and acronyms | Writing Style GuideMore - Monogram Etiquette | Customizable Gifts
  
  

However, there are some couples who prefer to place the male’s name initial first and the woman’s name initial on the right hand side. So for the case of Abigail and Geoffrey Smith, it will be monogrammed as:

• The groom’s first name initial - Their last name initial - First name initial of the bride
  The center letter is larger than the two letters on either side.

  gSa

  
  

Last Name Prefixes

For people who have last name prefixes but is still considered a one word last name like McDonald, McNamara, O’Keefe, the first letter of the last name should still be considered. For example, Sean David McDonald, will be written as:

• Left hand side - Middle - Right hand side
  The center letter is larger than the two letters on either side.

  sMd

  
  

Monogram Guideline Summary

Traditionally, there were simple rules used in monogramming. Here’s a summary of the traditional monogramming formats:

Traditional Monogramming Guidelines:

• Women:first LAST middle
  Sage Abigail Collins: sCa
  


• Married Women:first LAST maiden
  Sage Collins Kennedy: sKc
  


• Men:first-MIDDLE-last or first-LAST-middle
  James Carl Kennedy: jCk or jKc
  


• Married Couples:bride LAST groom
  Sage and James Kennedy: sKj