Names That Mean Second

  1. Malachy
    • Origin:

      Irish version of Malachi, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "second"
    • Description:

      This spelling, which came to the attention of readers of the best-selling Angela's Ashes as the name of author Frank McCourt's father and brother, the latter of whom wrote a bestseller of his own, lends the biblical name a more expansive, almost boisterous image. Malachy is one of the Irish baby names that manages to strike the golden mean between familiarity and distinctiveness.

  2. Kenji
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "second son"
    • Description:

      One of several Japanese names that refer to a child's place in the family birth order. Kenji has attracted notice in the US as the name of The Food Lab chef, James Kenji López-Alt, know simply as Kenji.
  3. Eijiro
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "reflective second son"
    • Description:

      Also written as Eijirō or Eijirou, this name was traditionally borne by second-born sons.
  4. Choji
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "second butterfly"
    • Description:

      Ethereal Japanese boy name.
  5. Kato
    • Origin:

      African, Uganda
    • Meaning:

      "second of twins"
    • Description:

      Kato gained a lot of attention during the O. J. Simpson trial via witness Kato Kaelin (born Brian). It is also the name of a fictional character in "The Green Hornet." Spelled Cato, it has a lot more credibility as an ancient name.
  6. Ami
    • Origin:

      Japanese, Sanskrit, or variation of Amy
    • Meaning:

      "second beauty; second ocean; second truth; nectar; beloved"
    • Description:

      A multicultural unisex choice that peaked for girls at the same time as Amy. Ami is also the French word for "friend."
  7. Jiro
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "second son"
    • Description:

      Commonly used Japanese name -- and not only for a second son.
  8. Tanjiro
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "coal + calm son; highly valued second son"
    • Description:

      Protagonist of the manga and anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The kanji used to spell his name give it the meaning of "coal + calm son," which describe his former profession as a coal worker.
  9. Eilwen
    • Origin:

      Welsh
    • Meaning:

      "white brow"
    • Description:

      A little bit Isla, a little bit Elowen. Also the Kentucky-based heroine of a 2018 novel by Gwen Kaelin.
  10. Renji
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "second love"
    • Description:

      Now that Kenji is rising up the ranks, it's only a matter of time before parents discover Renji. Renji Abarai is a character in the anime series Bleach, in which the kanji used for his name mean "second love" or "second romance."
  11. Beta
    • Origin:

      Greek, second letter of the Greek alphabet
    • Description:

      If you can't have an Alpha male, how about a Beta girl.
  12. Pili
    • Origin:

      African, Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "second born"
    • Description:

      Will be frequently misunderstood as Pele or, worse, "pilly".
  13. Pili
    • Origin:

      African, Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "second born"
    • Description:

      Might frequently be understood as "pilly." Can also be a short form of Pilar -- though the long form is better.
  14. Segundo
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "second born"
    • Description:

      After your first little Primo, you could always call the next Segundo -- though that's like naming them number one and number two.
  15. Nakato
    • Origin:

      Luganda
    • Meaning:

      "second of twins"
    • Description:

      Nakato was traditionally used on the second-born (female) twin among the Luganda-speaking people of Uganda.
  16. Amika
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "second + beautiful + fragrance"
    • Description:

      An undiscovered "A sandwich" name that feels familiar yet distinctive.
  17. Shinjiro
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "true second son"
  18. Alaba
    • Origin:

      Yoruba, Nigerian
    • Meaning:

      "second child after twins"
    • Description:

      A striking option among African girl names, reminiscent of the up-and-coming name Alaia.
  19. Kenjiro
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "strong second son"
    • Description:

      Common Japanese name for second sons. Kenjiro Shirabu is a character in the anime series Haikyu!!, and Kenjiro Tsuda is a well-known voice actor who has lent his talents to numerous anime series.
  20. Secundus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "second"
    • Description:

      An ancient Roman number name that is rarely if ever used in modern times.