Hey all. I've just recently gotten into watching The Middle. I've never watched it on network TV and have just recently started watching reruns of it on The Hallmark Channel. I really like it and I think it's a wholesome and very funny show. But one thing bugs me. The sons' names are Axl and Brick!:rolleyes: Can someone tell me are these nicknames? I know I've heard Axl (or Axel as it can be spelled) as a boy's name but I've never met any guy named that personally. And I've never heard Brick used as a boy's name ever. I know nowadays people tend to want to give their kids unusual and "creative" names but really I think those are seriously stupid. Is there any episode where they talk about why their sons have these names? Just wondering. And it won't really ruin my watching the show, but I just really can't believe people would name their kids that. Just my opinion. I guess you do end up feeling that somehow those names "fit" the characters though.

Ed.

I saw an episode where they flashbacked to when Brick was born. It's not a nickname. Mike and Frankie liked it because it's different. As for Axl, I don't know. Maybe Mike and Frankie are Guns 'N Roses fans. I think Heck is kind of an odd last name.

Frankie's real name is Francis.

I'll agree with you, Heck is a strange last name. And Frankie's actual name would be "Frances", that's how it's spelled when it's a woman's name. I know, because it was my mom's name.

Ed.

I remembered too that there's a family in my area with a daughter named Franchesca (same as Francesca just a different spelling) and she goes by Frankie.

Ed.

Frankie's boss Mr. Ellerby calls her Frances when he's speaking to her but everyone else-including Mike-calls her Frankie. I think the name Brick is hilarious and I do remember Frankie saying that she didn't want her son to have a "normal" name.

Axl is named for Axl Rose, who was the front man of Guns N Roses (and no Rose and a bunch of backup guys isnt GNR). Rose is from Indiana, the same as the show and actually Axl Rose is in his 50s, the same age as the parents.

Brick I have no idea, but I will stand behind Axl.

Axl is named for Axl Rose, who was the front man of Guns N Roses (and no Rose and a bunch of backup guys isnt GNR). Rose is from Indiana, the same as the show and actually Axl Rose is in his 50s, the same age as the parents.

Brick I have no idea, but I will stand behind Axl.

Wow, didn't know that about Axl! Thanks!

I wondered it Brick's name has something to do with the character in the movie Cat On a Hot Tin Roof. Wasn't Paul Newman's character named Brick?.

Tim Matheson's character on Hart of Dixie is also named Brick--and he is past 60. There also was a comic strip character named "Brick Bradford," going way back to 1933. So, Brick is not really a "new" name, at all. Axl, on the other hand, I had never heard before.

unique...that's what makes them great...

The actor Josh Demmel and his wife Fergie have a son name Axel.