Looking for the perfect way to complete your baby’s name? Middle names may come second, but they carry just as much meaning and emotional significance as a first name. Whether you’re honoring a loved one, continuing a tradition, or just want something that sounds right, the right middle name adds depth and personality.
To help you choose, we’ve gathered 120 of the best middle names for boys, girls, and gender-neutral options. From common and cute to cool and unique, there’s something here for every style. Whether you’re drawn to traditional choices or modern picks, these middle name ideas will help you build a name that feels complete.
Below, you’ll also find a brief history of why we use middle names, plus handpicked lists with name meanings and trends — all organized to help you find “the one.”
Why Do We Have Middle Names?
Middle names haven’t always been common. In fact, during the Middle Ages, only noble families in Europe were allowed to have them — it was even illegal for others to use them. They began appearing more widely in the 1700s among the wealthy and slowly spread to the middle class by the late 19th century. Today, having a middle name feels almost expected.1
Originally, middle names often had religious or cultural significance. In many European traditions, the first name was personal, while the middle name honored a saint. Over time, the reasons for choosing middle names have evolved. In some Spanish-speaking cultures, for example, it’s common to give all daughters the first name Maria for its spiritual meaning, while the unique middle name is used in daily life.
Middle names also help distinguish people with common names (like “John Smith”) and can be used to honor a family member, continue a tradition, or create a meaningful full name. Whether it’s about heritage, identity, or flow, middle names serve many purposes — and the right one can make a name truly unforgettable.2
120 Middle Names for Your Baby
No matter your style—cute, cool, traditional, or totally unique—this list of 120 carefully curated middle name ideas has something for every baby. From the most popular picks to meaningful and unexpected options, you’re sure to find the one that completes your baby’s full name.
16 Common Middle Names For Girls
Short, classic, and easy to pair, these picks are some of the best middle names for girls across generations. From sweet options like Grace and Joy to more traditional choices like Elizabeth and Catherine, these names have remained popular for good reason. They add charm and elegance to almost any first name combination.
1. Ann or Anne — Both spellings have Hebrew origins and mean “grace.”
2. Anna — Latin for “favor” or “grace.”
3. Catherine — A Greek name meaning “pure.”
4. Elizabeth — This name means “God is my oath” in Hebrew.
5. Faith — The meaning of this name in English is “trust.”
6. Grace — Latin for “blessing.”
7. Hope — An Old English name that means “desire of fulfillment.”
8. Jane — This popular name is of English origin, meaning “God is gracious.”
9. Jean — This name means “God is gracious” in French.
10. Joy — Latin for “happiness.”
11. Kate — A form of Katherine, this name is Greek for “pure.”
12. Luna — Also common as a first name, Luna is Latin for “moon.”
13. Lynn — This name means “living near a lake” in French.
14. Mae — An English name meaning “bitter” or “pearl.”
15. Marie — This name is of French origin and means “star of the sea.”
16. Rose — Latin for “flower.”
15 Common Middle Names For Boys
These traditional picks have been passed down for generations — and for good reason. Names like John, Michael, and Daniel are timeless, meaningful, and effortlessly pair with a wide range of first names. If you’re searching for good middle names that honor family roots while standing the test of time, this list has you covered.
1. Andrew — This name for boys means “strong and manly” in Greek.
2. Anthony — This popular middle name in Latin means “priceless one.”
3. Benjamin — Hebrew for “son of the right hand.”
4. Christopher — A Greek name meaning “bearing Christ.”
5. Daniel — Meaning “God is my judge,” this is one of the most common names for boys.
6. Edward — Old English for “wealthy guard.”
7. Elijah — This name means “Yahweh is my God” in Hebrew.
8. Henry — The meaning of this boy’s name in German is “house ruler.”
9. Jack — A short and sweet English name that means “God is gracious.”
10. John — This name means “God is gracious” in Hebrew.
11. Joseph — Hebrew for “Jehovah shall add.”
12. Matthew — A classic Hebrew name that means “gift of God.”
13. Michael — This name means “who is like God” in Hebrew.
14. Paul — Latin for “small” or “humble.”
15. Thomas — This is a common first and middle name for boys, meaning “twin” in Greek.
16 Cute Middle Names For Girls
If you want a sweet name that adds charm and personality to your daughter’s full name, this list is full of pretty middle names with playful and feminine flair. From timeless picks like Claire and Lily to trendier favorites like Coco and Zoe, these options are as stylish as they are meaningful. And if you’re still exploring cute girl names in general, you might also enjoy our favorite first name picks for girls.
1. Alice — German for “exalted.”
2. Bella — This adorable middle name means “beautiful” in Italian, Spanish, and Latin.
3. Claire — This French name means “bright” or “clear.”
4. Coco — A cute French name that directly references the cocoa bean.
5. Eloise — This German middle name means “famous warrior.”
6. Hazel — This old English name means “hazelnut tree.”
7. Iris — This Greek name has an adorable meaning: “rainbow.”
8. June — Inspired by the month of June, this is a name of Latin origin that means “young.”
9. Lily — This is a Latin name for “pure.”
10. Mila — This is primarily a Russian name that means “gracious.”
11. Noelle — “Christmas” in French
12. Olive — English for “olive tree.”
13. Scarlett — This name means “red” in French.
14. Sophia — A Greek name meaning “wisdom.”
15. Violet — This cute name is Latin for the color purple.
16. Zoe — The meaning of this middle name is “life” in Greek.
10 Cute Middle Names For Boys
These sweet and stylish picks strike the perfect balance between playful and cool. If you want a name that sounds modern but still has heart, this list of cool middle names includes favorites like Milo, Zeke, and Beckett. They’re not ultra-trendy, but they definitely stand out. Looking for ideas beyond the middle spot? Don’t miss our roundup of cute boy names that are perfect as first names, too.
1. Beckett — This cute middle name for boys means “stream” or “brook” in Old English.
2. Caleb — Hebrew for “faithful” or “devotion to God.”
3. Connor — This adorable Irish name means “lover of hounds.”
4. Easton — This middle name is derived from an English habitational name for someone who lived in a settlement in the east.
5. Hartley — English for “deer meadow.”
6. Jesse — This cute middle name means “God exists” in Hebrew.
7. Mason — This is an English occupational name for a stone worker.
8. Milo — A common first name, this middle name is Latin for “soldier.”
9. Owen — A Welsh name meaning “noble born.”
10. Zeke — Hebrew for “God strengthens.”
6 Cool Middle Names For Girls
Looking for something bold and a little unexpected? These picks are some of the cool middle names that add a fresh twist to any baby name combo. Whether it’s the celestial vibe of Nova, the elegance of Zora, or the edgy charm of Raven, these names bring personality and flair. And if you’re drawn to trendsetting names, don’t miss our full list of cool girl names for even more standout options.
1. Arya — This middle name for girls is of Sanskrit origin, meaning “honorable” or “noble.”
2. Honor — This name has both English and Latin roots. It means “integrity.”
3. Jade — An English name for the precious green gemstone.
4. Nova — Latin for “new.”
5. Raven — This English name refers to the blackbird and is also used for someone with dark hair.
6. Zora — This Slavic middle name means “dawn.”
14 Cool Middle Names For Boys
If you’re looking for bold choices with major style points, these picks are some of the best middle names for boys. With names like Ace, Maverick, and Fox, this list leans into strength, individuality, and edge. And if you love this vibe, you’ll definitely want to browse our favorite cool boy names for even more standout first name ideas.
1. Ace — In Latin, this name means “one” or “unity.”
2. Ajax — Meaning “eagle,” this is also the name of a hero in the Trojan War in Greek mythology.
3. Apollo — Greek for “destroyer.”
4. Cash — English for “wealthy” and the slang word for money.
5. Cyrus — This cool middle name means “sun” in Persian.
6. Fox — A Middle English nickname for someone sly and cunning, inspired by the animal.
7. Grant — French and Scottish for “large.”
8. Hunter — This cool middle name for boys means “one who hunts” in English.
9. Jarvis — Meaning “servant spear,” this cool name has Celtic and French origins.
10. Jasper — Persian for “bringer of treasure.”
11. Link — This is a shortened version of the name Lincoln, which means “lake settlement” in English.
12. Maverick — English for “independent” or “non-conforming.”
13. Sebastian — A cool Greek middle name that means “venerable.”
14. Silas — This name means “of the forest” in Latin.
8 Unique Middle Names For Girls
These girl middle names, unique and full of character, are perfect for parents looking to add a little magic to a baby girl’s full name. Whether you’re drawn to nature-inspired names like Hyacinth and Birdie or bold, rare gems like Nyx and Moira, this list offers something fresh and meaningful. If you’re still exploring one-of-a-kind options, take a look at our favorite unique girl names with beautiful meanings.
1. Avalon — Celtic for “island of apples.”
2. Birdie — This is an English name meaning “bird” or “bright.”
3. Gratia — This unique middle name means “grace” in Italian.
4. Hyacinth — This is a Greek name for the blue larkspur flower.
5. Jewel — English for “precious stone.”
6. Jia — This rare middle name means “family” in Chinese.
7. Moira — This name means “destiny” in Greek.
8. Nyx — A short and unique middle name for girls that is Greek for “night.”
12 Unique Middle Names For Boys
These unique middle names boy options are full of character, strength, and individuality. From earthy picks like Wolf and Knox to rising stars like Bodhi and Jax, these names make a strong impression without being overly common. Want even more distinctive name inspiration? Explore our list of unique boy names with meanings that stand out.
1. Angelo — This unique name is Greek for “messenger of God.”
2. Ansel — This is of English and German origin, meaning “divine protection.”
3. Blaze — Latin for fire.
4. Bodhi — A Sanskrit name that is unique for a name but is rising in popularity as a first name. It means “awakening” or “enlightenment.”
5. Clark — Old English and Irish for “cleric.”
6. Cruz — Portuguese for “cross.”
7. Huck — This English name is the short form of Huckleberry.
8. Jax — This name means “God is gracious” or “son of Jack” in English.
9. Knox — Scottish Gaelic for “round hill.”
10. Nash — A rare name of English origin that means “by the ash tree.”
11. Rhys — Welsh for “enthusiasm” or “passion.”
12. Wolf — This name means “a man of courage and cunning” in German.
23 Gender-Neutral Middle Names
If you’re looking for flexible middle name ideas that work beautifully for any baby, this list offers stylish, meaningful choices that suit every personality. From nature-inspired picks like Wren and Phoenix to modern classics like Riley and Drew, these options are full of charm and versatility. Want even more options with universal appeal? Explore our favorite gender-neutral names for first name inspiration, too.
1. Aubrey — An English and French name that means “elf ruler.”
2. Billie — This unisex name means “resolute protection” in English.
3. Blake — This name can either mean “fair” or “dark” in Old English.
4. Blue — This unisex name refers to the color blue and is of English origin.
5. Dakota — Native American Sioux for “friend” or “ally.”
6. Drew — Greek for “courageous” and Welsh for “wise.”
7. James — This Hebrew name means “supplanter.”
8. Jett — An English name that means “intense black stone.”
9. Jo — Hebrew for “God is gracious.” This name is sometimes used as a shortened form of Joanna or Joseph.
10. Lee — A unisex name of English origin that means “clearing” or “meadow.”
11. Logan — The meaning of this name is “little hollow” in Gaelic and Scottish.
12. Lou — This French gender-neutral name means “famous warrior.”
13. Marlow — An Old English name that means “hill by the lake” or “driftwood.”
14. Phoenix — The meaning of this name is “dark red” in Greek. It also refers to the mythological bird.
15. Quinn — Irish for “wise.”
16. Ray — This name has Old German roots and means “counsel.”
17. Reese — Welsh for “enthusiastic” or “ardent.”
18. Riley — A common unisex name that means “valiant” or “wood clearing” in English.
19. Scout — An English name for “sent to discover” or “first explorer.”
20. Shay — Meaning “admirable,” this is an Irish gender-neutral name.
21. Tatum — This is an Old English name for “tightly enclosed homestead.”
22. Taylor — An Old English occupation for tailoring clothes or cutting cloth.
23. Wren — This name means “small bird” in English.
Choosing the right middle names to consider is an important part of crafting your baby’s full name — whether you’re honoring tradition, looking for something cool and modern, or going with a gender-neutral option. We hope this list helped you find the perfect match for your little one.
Still searching for a first name? Explore our top old-fashioned baby names, beautiful girl names, rare boy names, rare girl names, and our full baby names collection for even more inspiration.
