When it comes to middle names, there are some clear rules: Be careful about the initials (no Adam Seth Smith or William Arnold Potter for example), make sure it passes the "screaming the full name when the kid is in trouble" test, and make sure to use the exact same middle name as the father if a "Jr." is the game plan.
But we think there should be a new middle name rule — don't be afraid to have fun and get a little creative! Middle names are a terrific place to use a beloved, but uncommon, family name or to go for something fresh and modern. We've gathered 20 unique middle names for baby boys that are cool, meaningful, and terrific to add to a wide array of first name options. Read on for great middle name options for baby boys!
SALIM
Salim, which can also be spelled Saleem or Selim, is an Arabic name that means "safe," which is a such a nice meaning for a baby name! What parent doesn't want their son to feel safe and loved?
PHOENIX
Phoenix is such a cool choice for a middle name. It can be either a reference to a place or the mythical creature that rises from the ashes, which is powerful imagery for a little boy.
AMIAS
This dreamy name, pronounced AH-my-us, comes from the Latin word for "beloved." It pairs well with a variety of first names, especially those that end in consonant.
HUCK
One of the best known boys in American literature is creative and free-spirited Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry might be a lot of name for a baby, but Huck is a great option with a bit of a hipster vibe.
COLM
Colm, also spelled Colum, is a less common Gaelic or Irish name with the a nature vibe as it originally means "dove." This name is a fresh choice for parents who may want to honor Irish heritage.
DUNCAN
A name of Scottish origin, this translates as "famous warrior," Duncan also carries solid echoes of the Anglo-European tradition. It derives from an Anglicized version of the name for a former Scottish king.
EMILE
Those seeking a name to suit a young, aspiring go-getter, Emile makes a good choice. Emile translates as “rival,” “laborious,” and “eager.” Only in use since the 19th century, Emile comes to us as a version of the Latin name, Emil.
FRANCIS
Though using Francis as a boys' first name has waned these days (and is often confused with Frances, the version for girls), it has a distinguished past as the name for a saint, a crooner (Frank Sinatra), and a football great (Fran Tarkenton). It’s the English form of the Latin “Franciscus” or Frenchman.
HORATIO
Another choice for a notable middle name is Horatio. Famously known as the name of a key character in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Horatio comes from the Latin for “man of time.” It’s also the name of the legendary English admiral, Lord Nelson.
WINSLOW
This name has two marks in its favor: One, it belonged to the famous 19th century American painter Winslow Homer, and two, it carries the weighty connotation of English propriety. It comes from the Old English for “hill of victory.”
LATEEF
Though it’s quite common in the Arab and Muslim worlds, Lateef isn’t as well known in the US. But this name is soothing in both sound and sense. It comes to us from the Arabic for “gentle,” “pleasant,” and “kind.”
ALOYSIUS
For those parents who want a more popular or trendy first name for their little boy, an old-school (if less common) middle name lends a bit of tradition. Aloysius fits that bill well. Of Old German origin, the name means famous warrior.
JEROME
This name name comes to us from the Greek, where it meant Hierōnymos or "sacred name.” Though it had slid from its popularity for much of the 20th century, Jerome still was also the name of a medieval Christian saint and biblical translator.
IVAN
Ivan is the Slavic variation for the Greek “Iōánnēs,” from which we get the English name, “John.” The name originally means “God is gracious.” It’s popular in Russia and throughout Eastern Europe and it was used by a long line of Russian emperors and princes.
NESTOR
A name of literally mythic and historic proportions, Nestor offers is a heroic name. Greek in origin, the name means “traveler” or “one who returns from travels,” which is appropriate since the Greek poet Homer use it as the name for a king in his epic The Iliad.
KAMAU
Though this name of African origin (pronounced “ka-mao”), doesn’t have widespread use in the West, it conveys silent strength. It comes from the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya, and means “quiet warrior.” It’s also the name of poet Kamau Brathwaite from Barbados.
QUENTIN
This is another name that reaches back to ancient times and would lend any boy gravitas. It comes from the Latin Quintus or Quintinius, which translates simply as “fifth.” Quentin is the French version.
MALIK
Parents looking for a unique middle name with history couldn’t do much better than Malik. Derived from a word that reaches with origins in Aramaic and through to Arabic, the name translates as “owner” or “king.”
BEAUREGARD
Parents looking for an old-school name dripping with with French and Southern charm might want to consider Beauregard. While the nickname Beau is cute, there is something delightfully vintage about going with the full version.
BAXTER
Here's a name that sounds good with almost any first name option: Baxter. This name, which is related to the word for baker, has the added bonus of including an X, which is always one of the coolest letters.
