Middle Names

Choosing the perfect middle names for your little one can be pretty intimidating. It can be as challenging as selecting their first name. Even worse, if you are already mesmerized by your baby’s first name and now you have to settle for a middle name that flows well and has a significant meaning.

In most cases, it’s customary to opt for parents’ or grandparents’ names to commemorate the elderly family members. Nevertheless, there are several creative and delightful middle names to choose from. 

History of Middle Names

Someone calling you by your middle name is somehow uncommon to the extent that some individuals cringe when they hear their parents calling out their full name. So, what’s the story behind middle names?

Long before, parents used to name their babies after saints to protect them as they aged. Progressively, parents evolved into calling their offspring after their kinsfolk and these holy names. Consequently, it became conventional for children to be given two names- a first and a middle name. 

Referencing from MyHeritage, middle names originated in the 1200s. The privileged society in Italy started giving their kids middle names, and the notion extended throughout Europe, especially in France and Spain. In time, the common folk embraced middle names for their children. 

In Stephen Wilson’s book The Means of Naming: A Social History, half of the boys’ population in France had a single name at the start of the 19th century, while 37% had a middle name. Subsequently, 46% of boys had two names before the end of that century, and 23% had a first name and two middle names. 

Unlike their European counterparts, Scotland and England were tardy in adopting middle names. In fact, by 1605, only a few children had more than one name. Surprisingly, by 1800, only a tenth of the kids had two names. But, of course, by the 19th-century, middle names were prevalent across Europe and the United States. 

Different cultures had varied opinions on middle names. In some countries or cultures, the middle name was the first name. For instance, according to Spanish culture, all baby girls shared Maria’s name with a different middle name.

Their middle names then referred to them to differentiate the girls. Moreover, kids of Arabic and Spanish heritage were mostly given maternal or paternal names from their elderly folks to keep track of the child’s genealogy. 

Also, some families and communities tend to share the same singular middle name for all family members. For instance, all boys in a particular family might have the middle name for Peter, and all the girls share the middle name of Ann. On the other hand, some cultures deployed the mother’s maiden name as the middle name, and others used the baptizing clergyman’s last name as the offspring’s middle name. 

In sum, there are a plethora of accounts of middle name origin. But ultimately, society deviated from these conventional cultural practices in favor of creative middle names that bolster a kid’s first name and, importantly, enhance the connection. 

How to Choose a Middle Name

Being more creative with your little one’s middle name only makes the decision more challenging. But, on the other hand, having an abundance of options similarly makes it more complicated. Therefore, here are some tips to help in the decision-making process. 

Be Creative

If you and your partner opt for the conventional way with your kid’s first name, then it’s only reasonable to get creative with the middle name. Don’t be timid from exploring fun ideas and selecting something exceptional. 

Commemorate a Loved One

Middle names offer the perfect opportunity to celebrate someone you hold dear to your heart. It might be a family member, friend, or someone you admire. In addition, it doesn’t have to be the exact name or gender.

Instead, you can borrow from their name and slightly make changes. For instance, you can spin Jack to Jackson for a baby boy and Jackie for a girl. Alternatively, you can use their last name as your child’s middle name. 

Contemplate How The Whole Name Sounds

The first and middle names should flow well together. Call out the first and middle names loudly and scrutinize if they flow together. Repeat the process with various middle names until you settle for the combo that connects perfectly. Conversely, the first and middle names shouldn’t sound like a single name smushed together. Instead, it would be best to have varied syllable counts for optimal flow. 

Consider The Initials

Initials are essential to avoid rude awakenings later. First and foremost, scrutinizing your baby’s initials before choosing a middle name can help prevent band connotations.

You might have a solid middle name, but once you consider how the initials spell out, you might have to get back on the drawing board for a more suitable combination.

A bad set of initials can be embarrassing and, worse, be a focal point to your little one’s teasing and bullying through school and later in life. 

Use More Than One

You can always consider two middle names if you can’t narrow down your options to a single name. It’s not prevalent for individuals to have more than one name, but there is no harm in being exceptional as already outlined. Also, most Royal Family members tend to have two middle names. 

Primarily, most parents pair a middle name of their liking to a family name, resulting in a pair of middle names. In most cases, it results in having a nice ring, although it can be pretty terrifying to hear when caught in trouble. 

Family Lineage

In some instances, middle names will become the first name. This is especially the case in families that carry on the legacy of naming the firstborn son after the father—as such, naming the child will be pretty elementary since they take on their father’s name and add junior or the third or fourth to carry on their family tradition.

Unfortunately, this model can be perplexing, especially during family gatherings whereby several relatives share the same name. 

Combination Names

Middle names don’t always have to be overlooked. However, it’s typical for some parents to give their kid a rarely used middle name. Others opt for a middle name that’s more prevalently heard and seen.

For example, Mary Jo as a pairing isn’t very common, yet it’s a creative combination. Nevertheless, always consider the initials. 

Forgo a Middle Name

It’s not mandatory to have a middle name. Your kid can get on with life with a first and last name. Therefore, if your baby has a perfect first and last name, and adding a middle name throws off balance, you can consider eschewing the middle name.

Most Popular Middle Names

It’s typical for some middle names to be more prevalent than others, stretching for several generations. Although some might not be creative, they flow perfectly with most first names, becoming a suitable choice for parents struggling to select a middle name that pairs with the first name. 

As a result, there isn’t a hard and fast rule when picking a middle name for your baby. Therefore, don’t be too hard on yourself and instead opt for a middle name that’s compatible with your family culture and flows well with your little one’s first name.

Also, you can commemorate a loved one by using their name or last name as your child’s middle name. Be creative and have fun while considering the alternatives. Still, please don’t go overboard and select a name that might be a root for your child’s tribulations, bullying, and mockery as they grow up. 

Girl NamesBoy Names
Middle Names For AbbyMiddle Names For Abel
Middle Names For AddilynMiddle Names For Addison
Middle Names For AdelaideMiddle Names For Alejandro
Middle Names For AdelynMiddle Names For Alistair
Middle Names For AdleyMiddle Names For Andrea
Middle Names For AdrianaMiddle Names For Andrew
Middle Names For AlainaMiddle Names For Angelo
Middle Names For AlaniMiddle Names For Antonio
Middle Names For AlaynaMiddle Names For Apollo
Middle Names For AlexandraMiddle Names For Archie
Middle Names For Alina
Middle Names For Ashton
Middle Names For AllisonMiddle Names For Augustus
Middle Names For AmaraMiddle Names For Austin
Middle Names For AmayaMiddle Names For Axel
Middle Names For AmelieMiddle Names For Ayden
Middle Names For AnnaMiddle Names For Bailey
Middle Names For AnastasiaMiddle Names For Barrett
Middle Names For AnneliesMiddle Names For Beau
Middle Names For AnnaliseMiddle Names For Beckett
Middle Names For AngelinaMiddle Names For Beckham
Middle Names For ArabellaMiddle Names For Ben
Middle Names For ArianaMiddle Names For Brady
Middle Names For AriellaMiddle Names For Brandon
Middle Names For ArielMiddle Names For Brantley
Middle Names For AryaMiddle Names For Braxton
Middle Names For AshleyMiddle Names For Brinley
Middle Names For AspenMiddle Names For Brooke
Middle Names For AstridMiddle Names For Brooks
Middle Names For AthenaMiddle Names For Bryce
Middle Names For AubreeMiddle Names For Cade
Middle Names For AuroraMiddle Names For Caden
Middle Names For AvaMiddle Names For Caleb
Middle Names For AviannaMiddle Names For Carmen
Middle Names For AylaMiddle Names For Christopher
Middle Names For BellaMiddle Names For Charles
Middle Names For BelleMiddle Names For Clay
Middle Names For BennettMiddle Names For Cleo
Middle Names For BiancaMiddle Name For Cody
Middle Names For BodhiMiddle Names For Cohen
Middle Names For BraelynnMiddle Names For Cole
Middle Names For BriannaMiddle Names For Colton
Middle Names For BrynleighMiddle Names For Cooper
Middle Names For BrynnMiddle Names For Dallas
Middle Names For CairoMiddle Names For Damian
Middle Names For CalliopeMiddle Names For Damon
Middle Names Foe CamilaMiddle Names For Daniel
Middle Names For CamillaMiddle Names For Daxton
Middle Names For CamilleMiddle Names For David
Middle Names For CarlyMiddle Names For Dean
Middle Names For CassidyMiddle Names For Declan
Middle Names For CatalinaMiddle Names For Delaney
Middle Names For CeciliaMiddle Names For Derek
Middle Names For CharleeMiddle Names For Diego
Middle Names For CharlotteMiddle Names For Donovan
Middle Names For CheyenneMiddle Names For Dylan
Middle Names For ClaraMiddle Names For Easton
Middle Names For ClementineMiddle Names For Eli
Middle Names For CoraMiddle Names For Elias
Middle Names For CynthiaMiddle Names For Emerson
Middle Names For Emiliano
Middle Names For DaisyMiddle Names For Emilio
Middle Names For DakotaMiddle Names For Emmanuel
Middle Names For DaniellaMiddle Names For Enzo
Middle Names For DelilahMiddle Names For Eric
Middle Names For DesireeMiddle Names For Ethan
Middle Names For DianaMiddle Names For Ezekiel
Middle Names For DixieMiddle Names For Ezra
Middle Names For EdenMiddle Names For Felix
Middle Names For EileenMiddle Names For Franklin
Middle Names For EleanorMiddle Names For Gabriel
Middle Names For ElenaMiddle Names For Garrett
Middle Names For ElianaMiddle Names For Gavin
Middle Names For EliseMiddle Names For George
Middle Names For ElleryMiddle Names For Gideon
Middle Names For EloiseMiddle Names For Gray
Middle Names For ElsieMiddle Names For Grey
Middle Names For EmberMiddle Names For Gunner
Middle Names For EmeryMiddle Names For Halle
Middle Names For EmmettMiddle Names For Heaven
Middle Names For EmiliaMiddle Names For Henry
Middle Names For EsmeMiddle Names For Holden
Middle Names For EvaMiddle Names For Hugh
Middle Names For EveMiddle Names For Hudson
Middle Names For EverleighMiddle Names For Hunter
Middle Names For EverlyMiddle Names For Ian
Middle Names For EvieMiddle Names For Isaac
Middle Names For Ivan
Middle Names For Jace
Middle Names For FallonMiddle Names For Jacob
Middle Names For FaithMiddle Names For James
Middle Names For FelicityMiddle Names For Jameson
Middle Names For FlorenceMiddle Names For Jamie
Middle Names For FreyaMiddle Names For Jason
Middle Names For GageMiddle Names For Jasper
Middle Names For GenesisMiddle Names For Jax
Middle Names For GeorgiaMiddle Names For Jaxon
Middle Names For GiaMiddle Names For Jay
Middle Names For GiannaMiddle Names For Jayce
Middle Names For GiselleMiddle Names For Jayden
Middle Names For GuinevereMiddle Names For Jeremy
Middle Names For GwenMiddle Names For Jonah
Middle Names For GwendolynMiddle Names For Joseph
Middle Names For HallieMiddle Names For Jude
Middle Names For HarleyMiddle Names For Julian
Middle Names For HayleeMiddle Names For Kade
Middle Names For HayleyMiddle Names For Kaden
Middle Names For HelenMiddle Names For Kai
Middle Names For HeatherMiddle Names For Kaiden
Middle Names For ImogenMiddle Names For Kalani
Middle Names For IrisMiddle Names For Kamdyn
Middle Names For IslaMiddle Names For Kash
Middle Names For JaneMiddle Names For Kayden
Middle Names For JennaMiddle Names For Kennedy
Middle Names For JoleneMiddle Names For Kingston
Middle Names For JosephineMiddle Names For Kinsley
Middle Names For JosieMiddle Names For Kyle
Middle Names For JuliaMiddle Names For Landon
Middle Names For JuneMiddle Names For Lawson
Middle Names For KaiaMiddle Names For Leonardo
Middle Names For KaliMiddle Names For Lennox
Middle Names For KaitlynMiddle Names For Lincoln
Middle Names For KatieMiddle Names For Luca
Middle Names For KatherineMiddle Names For Lucas
Middle Names For KathleenMiddle Names For Luka
Middle Names For KayleeMiddle Names For Luke
Middle Names For KimberlyMiddle Names For Mack
Middle Names For KylieMiddle Names For Maddox
Middle Names For LaceyMiddle Names For Malachi
Middle Names For LaineyMiddle Names For Malakai
Middle Names For LaneMiddle Names For Marcus
Middle Names For LaneyMiddle Names For Marley
Middle Names For LaurenMiddle Names For Mateo
Middle Names For LeahMiddle Names For Matthew
Middle Names For LeilaniMiddle Names For Maverick
Middle Names For LexiMiddle Names For Maximus
Middle Names For LilaMiddle Names For Maxwell
Middle Names For LilianaMiddle Names For Micah
Middle Names For LivMiddle Names For Michael
Middle Names For LorelaiMiddle Names For Miles
Middle Names For LuciaMiddle Names For Myles
Middle Names For LucileMiddle Names For Nathan
Middle Names For LucyMiddle Names For Nathaniel
Middle Names For LunaMiddle Names For Nolan
Middle Names For LydiaMiddle Names For Noah
Middle Names For LylaMiddle Names For Oakley
Middle Names For MabelMiddle Names For Odin
Middle Names For MackenzieMiddle Names For Ollie
Middle Names For MadeleineMiddle Names For Oscar
Middle Names For MadilynMiddle Names For Owen
Middle Names For MaeveMiddle Names For Palmer
Middle Names For MagnoliaMiddle Names For Parker
Middle Names For MakaylaMiddle Names For Paxton
Middle Names For MakennaMiddle Names For Pierce
Middle Names For MaliaMiddle Names For Phoenix
Middle Names For MalloryMiddle Names For Reece
Middle Names For Margaret
Middle Names For MargoMiddle Names For Rhett
Middle Names For MariaMiddle Names For Rio
Middle Names For MayaMiddle Names For Robert
Middle Names For MckennaMiddle Names For Roman
Middle Names For MelissaMiddle Names For Rory
Middle Names For Melanie
Middle Names For MichelleMiddle Names For Ryan
Middle Names For MilaMiddle Names For Rylan
Middle Names For MillieMiddle Names For Ryder
Middle Names For MylaMiddle Names For Ryker
Middle Names For NadiaMiddle Names For Sage
Middle Names For NaomiMiddle Names For Sam
Middle Names For NatalieMiddle Names For Santino
Middle Names For NatashaMiddle Names For Sawyer
Middle Names For Nayeli
Middle Names For NevaehMiddle Names For Scott
Middle Names For NoelleMiddle Names For Sky
Middle Names For NoraMiddle Names For Tatum
Middle Names For NovaMiddle Names For Teagan
Middle Names For OctaviaMiddle Names For Thomas
Middle Names For OdetteMiddle Names For Thiago
Middle Names For OnyxMiddle Names For Timothy
Middle Names For PaigeMiddle Names For Tristan
Middle Names For PhoebeMiddle Names For Tucker
Middle Names For PoppyMiddle Names For Victor
Middle Names For PresleyMiddle Names For Vincent
Middle Names For RachelMiddle Names For Wade
Middle Names For RayneMiddle Names For Walter
Middle Names For RebeccaMiddle Names For Waylon
Middle Names For RemiMiddle Names For Wesley
Middle Names For RheaMiddle Names For William
Middle Names For RosalieMiddle Names For Winston
Middle Names For RosemaryMiddle Names For Wyatt
Middle Names For RosieMiddle Names For Zachariah
Middle Names For RuthMiddle Names For Zachary
Middle Names For RyleeMiddle Names For Zander
Middle Names For RyleighMiddle Names For Zayden
Middle Names For SabrinaMiddle Names For Zion
Middle Names For Sadie
Middle Names For Samantha
Middle Names For Sarah
Middle Names For Savannah
Middle Names For Selena
Middle Names For Selene
Middle Names For Sienna
Middle Names For Sloan
Middle Names For Sloane
Middle Names For Skylar
Middle Names For Sophia
Middle Names For Stephanie
Middle Names For Tabitha
Middle Names For Tate
Middle Names For Valerie
Middle Names For Valentina
Middle Names For Valeria
Middle Names For Veronica
Middle Names For Victoria
Middle Names For Vienna
Middle Names For Vivian
Middle Names For Vivienne
Middle Names For Wrenley
Middle Names For Ximena
Middle Names For Zuri