While I agree with your statement that ..The trouble with this sort of problem statement is that it is subject to all kinds of counter-exemplification I will want to second toolic mention of Lingua::EN::NameParse.

And for a one off name like you mentioned one could do this: 

print sprintf 'Mr. %3$s' => split/ / => "G. Gordon Liddy Sr., PhD"; #M
+r. Liddy

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If you tell me, I'll forget.
If you show me, I'll remember.
if you involve me, I'll understand.
--- Author unknown to me

In reply to Re^2: Strip first name from string by 2teez
in thread Strip first name from string by htmanning

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