One-Syllable Middle Names for Girls

  1. Poe
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "peacock"
    • Description:

      Hip new middle-name choice, conjuring up the gothic tales of Edgar Allan, and current single-named pop singer Poe.
  2. Dune
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      Dune is a haunting and evocative sandy-beach name, which also has sci-fi connections. Dune is a science fiction franchise that was launched by Frank Herbert's 1965 novel. Some interesting Dune character names include Alia, Leto, Siona, Bellonda,and Tamalane.
  3. Spring
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Spring doesn't sound half as contemporary as Winter, which has become the cool season name.
  4. North
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name, Easton is coming up strong, and North has a nice solid sound as well -- certainly as appropriate for either gender. South, though, not so much.
  5. Bell
    • Origin:

      English and Scottish occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "ringer of the bell"
    • Description:

      These days, it's more likely you'd call your daughter the popular Belle or Bella.
  6. Reeve
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "bailiff"
    • Description:

      Chosen by aviators Charles and Anne Lindbergh for their daughter, Reeve is another single-syllable surname waiting to be borrowed by the girls.
  7. Frost
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "freezing"
    • Description:

      Frost is a name parents are beginning to warm to, appreciating its icy simplicity and connection with the venerable poet Robert. Frost, along with Winter, Snow, and January, are also perfect names for winter babies.
  8. Gem
    • Description:

      Gem is a concise, evocative feminine name derived directly from the English word for precious stones. This nature-inspired name conveys qualities of rarity, beauty, and value. As a given name, Gem has never been widely common but has maintained steady, limited usage, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era when longer names are often popular. Gem can also function as a nickname for longer names like Gemma, Gemini, or even more distantly related names like Jemima. The name evokes positive associations with brilliance, durability, and natural beauty. Its simplicity makes it easy to spell and pronounce across cultures while carrying rich metaphorical meaning.
  9. West
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West. Definitely ambigender, it was chosen by Marley Shelton for her daughter.
  10. Trix
    • Origin:

      Short form of Beatrix, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness; blessed"
    • Description:

      Before Beatrice there was Beatrix, which leads naturally to the short form Trix. Trixie is a wise-cracking gum-snapping waitress but Trix is sleek and mischievous -- tricks, get it?
  11. Ames
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "friend"
    • Description:

      Ames is that jewel of a name that's simple and familiar while at the same time being unusual and rare. With gender neutral surname names ending in S trending today -- think Brooks, Wells, Oakes -- Ames can make a perfect update on Amy or Amanda.
  12. Peg
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Margaret, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "pearl"
    • Description:

      Peg is a nostalgic turn-of-the-last-century nickname, sociable but slight. Like near-identical twin Peggy, Peg is in mothballs.
  13. Kerr
    • Origin:

      Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "living near wet ground"
    • Description:

      Kerr, a simple, unusual unisex middle-name choice, can be pronounced either car or kehr.
  14. Ceil
    • Origin:

      Short form of Cecilia or Celia
    • Meaning:

      "blind or heavenly"
    • Description:

      With the growing popularity of Celia and Cecilia, this vintage canasta-playing nickname name could be due for a comeback.
  15. Bird
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      We once dismissed Bird as "too flighty", but with the rise of avian names from Lark to Robin to, well, Birdie, we don't see why Bird can't be a fine choice, especially as a middle name.
  16. Tai
    • Origin:

      Chinese
    • Meaning:

      "great extreme"
    • Description:

      Skater Tai Babilonia brought this sleek modern name to the world's attention. Pronounced "tie."
  17. Brave
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "showing courage"
    • Description:

      A striking word name for either gender. It's a safer choice when used as a middle name.
  18. Cruise
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "cross"
    • Description:

      Cool, cruising choice for either sex.
  19. Firth
    • Origin:

      Scottish nature name
    • Meaning:

      "estuary or arm of the sea"
    • Description:

      Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr. Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.
  20. Tree
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Tree is an ultimate nature name, made famous by longtime Taylor Swift publicist Tree Paine, born Trina Snyder.