910+ Middle Names

In 2014, six little girls in the US were given the name Starlit. Starlit has a sweeter meaning than the similar Starlet, and a better ring than Starlight.

In the Plymouth Colony of the seventeenth century, Thankful was the third most popular of the abstract word names. It disappeared after 1700 and has virtually no chance of returning.

Royalty is a super-hot name for girls, but there's no reason it can't be used for boys too. In fact it is, but only about 5 percent of the time, making it one of those unisex names whose usage is tipped so far toward one gender that it isn't truly unisex. But still, English words are usually not intrinsically gendered so Royalty is perfectly appropriate for boys as well as girls and is one of the fastest-rising unisex names.

Spunky old vaudeville era nickname name suddenly sounds new again.

Maybe if you're planning to have only one child -- and iffy even then.

With the first name True receiving a Kardashian dose of popularity for girls, Truth is gaining in visibility too. Though its still more popular for boys two to one, the truth is that the name works equally well for both genders -- but may inspire a lot of puns.

Why beat around the bush with a name like Elvis or Axl when you can come right out and name your baby Rocker? Your grandma will be scandalized, but teenage Rocker will kiss your feet.

Baby name as political statement.

The singular version sounds more contemporary.

In the Capability Brown vein -- not a choice to be made lightly.

Fresh, evocative choice.

Kerr, a simple, unusual unisex middle-name choice, can be pronounced either car or kehr.

Explorer is one occupational name destined to seek and find greater things.

Your daughter will like this better at twenty than she will at fifty.

A big, bold, ultra-rare virtue name. Could it follow in the footsteps of Justice and Liberty?

Remarkable Pettibone was a self-important housekeeper in James Fenimore Cooper's The Pioneers. Such names were not uncommon in early America, with such choices as Remember and Experience showing up in the records along with Puritan virtue names such as Chastity and Patience.

Many parents are seeking a strong name--well there's no denying that Strong fits that bill.

Full-hearted new virtue choice, though five syllables is a lot to handle.

Sure it makes a big statement, but if you can call your child Wren, Robin or Falcon, why not also Hummingbird? This pint-sized jewel of a bird is a lovely connotation for the baby that's full of energy and spirit.

A lot to handle, but it does give a sense of openness, joy, and awe.