Biologically, there are plenty of reasons why pregnancy lasts nine months, but practically if feels like it has to last that long to make sure there is enough time to pick out the perfect baby name! There are so many things that factor into finding the ideal first name for a baby — should it be hipster? Old-fashioned? Presidential sounding? Unisex? It feels like a high stakes decision, which is why it is great that there is a middle name to choose as well.
The middle name is a great place to put a name that is maybe a little more bold, more unusual, or just more distinctive than the first name. Some parents even choose two middle names so they get a double shot of pizzazz to add to the name. We've gathered 20 name suggestions that we think make amazing middle name choices, perfect for the parent or parents still trying to find something just right for their new babe.
HERMIONE
The name Hermione is, well, rather magical! Although this Greek name is actually centuries old, most folks associate it with Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. That might be too close an association for a first name, but Potterheads can sneak it in as a fun middle name option.
FOX
Foxes are known for being clever and curious, which are great characteristics for any kiddo! Fox is a great gender neutral middle name option and works especially well when paired with a longer first name.
MARIGOLD
Parents who love flowers and the color yellow might want to consider the sweetly old-fashioned sounding name of Marigold! Marigold works well with a shorter first name or a first name that ends with the -ie or -y sound.
OBAMA
Parents who love politics, and especially our 44th president and his amazing wife, but who don't want their kid to have to deal with pushback from conservative relatives might do well to consider Obama as a unisex middle name option! All hail to the chief!
HONOR
The idea behind "virtue names" dates back to the Ancient Greeks. Names like Prudence, Patience, and, yes, Honor are still seen as ways to signal ideal traits for a new baby. We think Honor sounds fresh and modern as a middle name choice!
ARLO
Arlo is a great middle name choice to pair with a longer first name or a first name that is heavy on the consonants. Arlo has been getting steadily more popular as a first name but isn't in any danger of being overused yet.
GRAY
The name Gray, which could also be spelled Grey, is such a cool option for a middle name. A little sophisticated, a little mysterious, and totally gender neutral — we love it!
DANGER
It's true that giving a child the middle name of Danger is basically the opposite of giving them a virtue name, but we know there are some parents that just can't resist the idea of a kid being able to say, "Danger is my middle name!"
DUKE
Duke is a great choice for parents wanting a masculine name with powerful, almost royal, vibes. It might also be a fun choice for parents who are alumni or fans of Duke University.
POPPY
Poppy is a bright and cheerful choice for parents who are nature or flower lovers. Poppy is also a flower associated with memorials and veterans, so it can also be a way to honor military family members.
AUDEN
Poetry loving people will recognize Auden as the last name of poet W.H. Auden. Others may just like the sweet meaning, given that Auden (pronounced AW-den) means "old friend." Perfect for a baby who is an old soul!
WREN
A wren is a delicate songbird known for having lovely calls. Wren as a name is great choice to help balance out a more sturdy sounding first name. We especially like it when paired with a name starting with the letter A. Amelia Wren or Audrey Wren have a great energy!
STELLAN
Stellan is a cool choice for families that want to honor Swedish heritage or who may want a way for a boy baby to honor a relative named Stella or Estelle.
MINERVA
Yes, this is the second name on the list with a Harry Potter connection, but we also just think names meaning "wisdom" are always a good idea and Minerva is due for a comeback!
POE
Poe is a quirky middle name choice that checks several boxes: it's gender neutral, it's one syllable, it has some interesting pop culture connections (both literary and Star Wars), and it is easy to spell and pronounce.
ZEPHYR
There is always something that is just so effortlessly cool about names that start with or have the letter Z in them, right? And Zephyr is super cool as a gender neutral middle name option.
AUGUSTINE
A longer middle name can bring balance to a shorter first name and Augustine does that beautifully! Augustine is a sophisticated choice and a slightly less common choice for parents who also like the name August.
LUX
Looking for a name that sounds sophisticated, cool, and, yes, a bit rich? Lux might just be the perfect choice! This name works to balance out a longer first name or could be a cool pairing for a family that goes for a double middle name.
RUMI
Look, if a name is cool enough for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, it is cool enough for any family to use as a middle name option! Bonus points for parents who also like the mystic poet Rumi.
MOIRA
Schitt's Creek fans who are looking for the perfect middle name for their bébé girl should consider Moira! She may not know what "fold the cheese" means, but the name is a classic choice.
