910+ Middle Names

Has a dotty, antic feel via dotty, antic Auntie Mame.

Winner is an uplifting word name that can work for girls or boys. It was recently chosen by rapper Nya Lee for her daughter.

If Story and Poet and Sonnet can be names that work as well for girls as for boys, why not Ode?

Is there any boys' name more loaded than Stonewall? It evokes, in two syllables, both the Stonewall riots of 1969, the foundational moment of the gay rights movement, and Stonewall Jackson, second in fame only to Robert E. Lee among Confederate generals.

The Puritans used it as a virtue name -- but today it would just be considered weird: silence is no longer golden.

This cosmological name is given to a handful of boys and girls each year in the USA. Likely to get confused with Stella, but definitely edgier and likely to start a conversation.

Fortitude is the kind of virtue name the Puritans favored, but would not be easy for a modern boy to carry. Stick with something a little simpler than Fortitude, like Justice or True.

One way to encourage some cheers for your little one, but not recommended.

A word name in the Puritan vein, à la Remember or Experience, which a few daring namers are beginning to consider.

The lead character of the Captain America movies, played by Chris Evans, is occasionally called Cap, short for "captain," but even he has a real name. (Steve Rogers, ICYC)

Booker and Author are being used as names (the former is best known care of Booker T Washington), so why not Reader? Reader certainly fits in with both these and other "doing" names like Ryder, Brewer, Fifer, Miller and Cooper.

Rugged nature name with possibilities...but more for boys.

One of the more unusual nature names, Maize is given to a dozen or so boys and girls each year and is almost completely unisex in terms of usage. Disclaimer: potential for "corny" jokes.

A beyond-bold shooting-star name choice, sure to raise some relatives' eyebrows.

Most familiar as a nautical term -- for the part of a boat that facilitate steering -- but also has an occupational sense (someone who tills the soil) and can refer to a part of a crossbow.

As a personal name, it may not have much history, but it certainly suggests the subject.

When actress Shannyn Sossamon dubbed her newborn Audio Science, it sent out some definite shock waves. We don't recommend Audio or Video for even the most intrepid baby namer.

Sleek color name, though a bit flinty for a little girl.

Third place on the sports field, but potentially more wearable than either Silver or Gold, Bronze feels modern and edgy.

Solo is a singular word name with special meaning for Star Wars fans. Equally appropriate for girls and boys, it works especially well in the middle.