Middle Names: The Ultimate Guide

Updated Fri Jun 14 2024

Middle names are entering a new era for 2024 and beyond. It’s almost imperative today that middle names be meaningful — whether they honor a relative, relate to a parent’s passion, or reflect an important family value.

But middle names today should also be fun. Parents are taking advantage of the fact that middle names are seldom used in everyday life, and giving their children quirky, unexpected middles that may be deemed a bit too bold to be first names.

Within these two criteria, some middle name trends have emerged. Here are the top trends for middle names 2024.

One-Syllable Middle Names

Short and sweet names such as Grace and Lee have always been popular middle names, but today’s single-syllable middle names come from many different cultures and can work with every style. The freshest mini middles tend to be punchy and packed full of meaning.

See more one-syllable names

Family Names

In many families, a child’s middle name is used to honor a loved one. But today’s middle names move beyond first names to surname names. Also a popular trend among first names, surnames are a great way to pay homage to beloved family members and keep family names alive through the generations.

As a bonus, since most surnames aren’t tied to a particular gender, these can be used for a son or daughter. Of course, you’ll want to use surnames from your own family tree, but here are some we’ve heard that we think are appealing.

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Occupational Names

Occupational names have great potential as honor names, providing a subtle way to pay tribute to Grandpa the pilot or Grandma the doctor. Occupational names can also be thought of as inspirational middle names, indicating your wish for your child’s future.

See more occupational names

Bold Middle Names

Parents with an adventurous spirit are apt to seek out a brave, wayfaring place name as a middle name for their son or daughter. This could be the name of a faraway locale or favorite destination, or a more literal word name associated with travel and adventure.

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Hero Names

Contemporary parents are opting for the uncommon first names and sometimes-clunky surnames of authors, activists, modern celebrities, and fictional heroes for their children’s middle names. Here are some possible hero middle names for your child.

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Virtue Names

Virtue names are back — with a contemporary twist. Modern virtue names reflect current values and have a charmingly positive bent (Obedience and Modesty, not so much).

We want our children to grow up to be happy, honest, and kind adults, and so now we’re giving them middle names like Reverie, True, and Loyalty in hopes of imparting these coveted qualities.

See more virtue names

Unique Middle Names

Creative parents looking to reflect their passion in their child’s name are likely to opt for an artistic middle name for their child. Names related to music, dance, poetry, theater, and visual arts are all en vogue. Some parents are choosing to honor a favorite artist by using their surname in the middle, while others favor more overt word names related to the arts.

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Animal Names

The trend for animal names as middle names was started by celebrities, with high-profile recent examples including Zooey Deschanel’s Elsie Otter and Macklemore’s Colette Koala. Bird names in particular are white-hot, with names like Lark, Hawk, and Wren soaring in popularity.

See more animal names

Inspirational Names

When choosing a spiritual middle name, modern parents are expanding beyond saints’ names and Biblical names. Religious word names like Sabbath and Cross are becoming more popular as middle names for babies, but it’s not just Abrahamic religions represented in this trend.

Names related to Eastern spirituality have superseded those connected to Western religions in popularity. Bodhi and Zen are particularly notable, having been used by a number of celebrities in recent years.

See more inspirational names

Mythological Names

Ancient myths are one of the latest sources of inspiration for middle names. Mythological names have an air of valor and triumph behind them, as well as a sense of curiosity and expedition. These names could be culled from a particular myth that inspires a parent or be more generally linked to mythology. Some of our favorite mythic names include these.

See more mythological names

About the Author

Sophie Kihm

Sophie Kihm's Personal Website

Sophie Kihm has been writing for Nameberry since 2015. She has contributed stories on the top 2020s names, Gen Z names, and cottagecore baby names. Sophie is Nameberry’s resident Name Guru to the Stars, where she suggests names for celebrity babies. She also manages the Nameberry Instagram and Pinterest.

Sophie Kihm's articles on names have run on People, Today, The Huffington Post, and more. She has been quoted as a name expert by The Washington Post, People, The Huffington Post, and more. You can follow her personally on Instagram or Pinterest, or contact her at sophie@nameberry.com. Sophie lives in Chicago.

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