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910+ Middle Names (with Meanings & Popularity)

  1. Ballad
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      Ballad could be the masculine answer to Aria. An obvious and cute nickname is Lad or Laddie.
  2. Rosary
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      "Rose" names are big right now, as are spiritual names, so this rare option could fit the bill for Catholic parents looking for an overtly religious choice. The Rosary is a form of prayer in the Catholic Church, using a string of beads also called a rosary.
  3. Divine
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Divine seems more proper a name with the rise of Heaven and its turned-around twin Nevaeh. Though superlative names like Divine -- Unique, say, or Precious -- sometimes seems as if they're trying to hard and protesting too much.
  4. Heavenly
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Heavenly, the word that's become a name, has been flirting with the bottom of the Top 1000 for a handful of years now. Heaven and cousins like Nevaeh have been well-used so adding the popular -ly suffix, ala Everly, seems like a natural progression.
  5. Gambit
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Gambit means ploy or trick, which makes it an appropriate name for a little player. Eight boys were named Gambit in the US in one recent year.
  6. Mystery
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Pretty sound, provocative meaning, but a little over-the-top.
  7. Rocket
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Starbaby name that might prove too supercharged for real life, but if like director Robert Rodriguez you're interested only in boys' names starting with R, you may need to add Rocket (and Rebel and Racer) to your list.
  8. Precious
    • Origin:

      Latin word name
    • Meaning:

      "of great worth, expensive"
    • Description:

      Though many might find it too syrupy, hundreds of parents each year choose this name for their daughters to make them feel special. Precious Ramotswe is the engaging African sleuth in the popular No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
  9. Coal
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      This recently coined respelling of Cole darkens its image.
  10. Saber
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Weapon-related names like Saber have been on the rise in recent years. In 2014, ten baby boys in the US were named Saber and five Sabre. The name may also relate to the Arabic Sabir, though to contemporary English-speakers, the reference will more likely be the sword.
  11. Trout
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Yes, nature lovers are starting to name their children after all forms of life, including fish, but consider carefully before you cast your line into these tease-infested waters.
  12. Cub
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      This cute-as-a-button name conjures playful lion and bear cubs rolling around in long grass. If cute baby names are what you're after, Cub should be on your list.
  13. Quintessence
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Sounds pretty. But pretentious.
  14. Fey
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Fey, for middle name purposes, could be thought of as a fey spelling of Fay. These days, however, Fey would be considered by most people to be honoring comedian Tina.
  15. 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.
  16. Terre
    • Origin:

      French word name
    • Meaning:

      "earth"
    • Description:

      An intriguing but challenging choice, because of possible confusion with all the Terry-type names.
  17. Stark
    • Origin:

      Word name, surname, and literary name
    • Description:

      Stark is an ancient surname derived from the Old English word stearc, meaning firm and unyielding. In modern parlance, stark means severe or plain. But Stark's use as a first name -- 15 boys were named Stark in the US in 2017 -- stems from its prominence in Game of Thrones, which has inspired so many new baby names. House Stark is a ruling family on GoT; its motto is fittingly "Winter is coming," so Stark and other names from the show might make creative names for winter babies.
  18. Early
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Early is a word-turned-name, pleasantly suggesting the start of a bright new day. Of the new word and day names, Early is one of the best.
  19. Calm
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      A modern virtue name, particularly desirable in this pressure-cooker world.
  20. Favor
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "kindness, benefit"
    • Description:

      A warm-sounding word and virtue name used by the Puritans and still popular in parts of Africa, especially in the Favour spelling.