Initials

Initials are letters that stand for the initial letters of words, most often in a person's name. When applied to a personal name, initials usually represent given names and family name, and may include middle names. For example, J. K. Rowling or J. R. R. Tolkien. Beyond names, initials also appear in titles, organizations, and abbreviations.

Formatting and style vary. In English, initials are capitalized. Some styles insert periods after each letter (J. K. Rowling); others omit periods (JK Rowling). Monograms are a related use, arranging initials as a design for personal branding or on clothing and items.

Initials are distinct from acronyms and initialisms. An initialism is formed from initial letters and pronounced letter by letter (FBI, IRS); an acronym is pronounced as a word (NASA). In practice, many abbreviations sit somewhere on a spectrum between the two.

Cultural and practical notes: Naming conventions differ by culture; some systems place family names first. People may choose to use initials to preserve privacy or for professional branding. In literature and citations, initials help to identify authors and distinguish individuals with common surnames.