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Is Joe Biden's middle name 'Robinette' of French origin? President unsure as unusual name takes US by storm

For the world, his unusual middle name came as a surprise when Chief Justice John Roberts swore him in with his full name

Joe Biden's full name is Joseph Biden Robinette. For the world, his unusual middle name came as a surprise when Chief Justice John Roberts swore him in with his full name on Wednesday (January 20). According to Daily Mail, the new POTUS was named after his father, Joseph Robinette Biden Sr, who was in turn named after his mother, Mary Elizabeth Robinette.

The site also added that Biden was unsure about the origin of the name, although he believed it was French. "It's my grandmother Biden's maiden name," he once said. 'It's French. And it goes back a long, long way. Allegedly the Robinette's came over with Lafayette and never went home. I don't know that. We can't guarantee that."

Experts shared their thoughts on Biden's middle name and how using them was more of a factor that would highlight family connections.

Some extensive research into the name also saw Daily Mail say that Robinette was a bit of a rarity and lesser-used last name. "10,800 people with the last name Robinette, according to HowManyOfMe.com. Biden is even less common: only around 170 people have that last name. As a first name, it is even less common - only 1,800 people have the name Robinette," the site reported. 

The House of Names describes Robinette as: "It is believed that the name Robineau was originally derived from the Old French word "robine", which was the word that was used for the communication channel of a salted fountain or barrel pond." The article also said the origin of the name dates back to Brittany in 1478. The name is also supposed to be a variant of Robinett, derived from the given name Robin, French diminutive of Robert.

Delving into the history, Mary Elizabeth Robinette was born in Maryland in 1894 and she took her husband, Joseph Harry Bide's last name after they married. Joseph was in the oil business. He kickstarted his career by delivering kerosene and later became a salesman in the same company. The couple's son, Joseph Robinette Biden, was born in 1915.

A look at the other Presidents also shows they had quite the experience with their middle names. Warren Harding's middle name was Gamaliel, while Barack Obama's middle name was Hussein. Netizens had quite the opinions when they realized Biden's middle name was Robinette. "I THOUGHT YALL WERE PLAYING WHEN YOU CALLED HIM JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN OMG" read one of the tweets.

"Does anyone else hear "Robin Hood" every time President Biden says his middle name? I know it's Robinette but how cool would that be? And how cool would it be if it foreshadowed the results of his administration?" read one of the comments. Surprise was a common emotion. "the biggest revelation for me watching the inauguration yesterday was that Biden's middle name is Robinette...I mean... what?!"

"If someone robbed your house would you congratulate them? Then don't congratulate Beijing Biden, he robbed our country. His middle name is Robinette (robbin it) for Gods sake." one wrote.