According to Ancestry, one on the Mayflower had a middle name, most of our founding fathers didn’t have one, and only three of the first 17 American presidents had one. So, why do most of us have one today?
Well, believe it or not, the practice dates as far back as ancient Rome, where citizens often had three names: a praenomen (given name), nomen (family name), and cognomen (additional name or nickname).
During the Middle Ages, Europeans started using second names to honor saints. And by the 18th century, France, Spain, and other European countries started using multiple names to honor family connections.
RELATED: Why Do We Have Cool Middle Names? Learn Truth Behind This Age-Old Practice
Middle names became fashionable among the upper classes in England during the 17th and 18th centuries. As for the United States, middle names didn’t become commonplace until the 19th century.
And while the growing population has had a major influence on the need for middle names, the tradition has also allowed parents to express individuality and honor loved ones when giving their children names.
With that said, we’re going to discuss some of the most popular and cool middle names out there today!
Cool Middle Names for Your Baby Boy
While the first name often takes center stage, the middle name offers a unique opportunity to add depth, honor family traditions, or infuse a touch of creativity into your baby boy’s name – alongside the surname.
For example, many parents use the middle name to honor a loved one, such as a grandparent, parent, or another significant figure in their lives, and create a personal connection that adds special significance.
It can also serve as a way to balance the first name, whether that means a classic touch to a modern first name or bringing a bit of flair to a more traditional first name. And don’t worry, your options are endless!
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the most popular and cool middle names for your baby boy!
10. James
Origin: James is of Hebrew origin.
Derivation: The name James is derived from the Hebrew name Yaakov (Jacob), meaning “supplanter” or “one who follows.”
Similar Names: Jim, Jimmy, Jaime, Jamie, Jakob, Jacob, Jay, Jace, Jaimie, Seamus.
9. Lee
Origin: Lee is of Old English origin.
Derivation: The name Lee is derived from the Old English word leah, meaning “meadow” or “clearing.”
Similar Names: Leigh, Leo, Liam, Levi, Leon, Lane, Lyn, Leland, Lenny, Leif.
8. Michael
Origin: Michael is of Hebrew origin.
Derivation: The name Michael is derived from the Hebrew name Mikha’el, meaning “Who is like God?”
Similar Names: Mike, Mikey, Micah, Mikael, Miguel, Misha, Mickey, Michal, Mitchell, Mikel.
7. Joseph
Origin: Joseph is of Hebrew origin.
Derivation: The name Joseph is derived from the Hebrew name Yosef, meaning “God will add” or “God increases.”
Similar Names: Joe, Joey, Josiah, Josef, Jose, Giuseppe, Yosef, Joss, Joel, Jodie.
6. Alexander
Origin: Alexander is of Greek origin.
Derivation: The name Alexander is derived from the Greek name Alexandros, meaning “defender of the people.”
Similar Names: Alex, Xander, Lex, Alec, Sandy, Sasha, Alessandro, Alistair, Zander, Alexis.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 245 Unique and Cool Middle Names for Boys
5. David
Origin: David is of Hebrew origin.
Derivation: The name David is derived from the Hebrew name Dawid, meaning “beloved” or “friend.”
Similar Names: Dave, Davy, Davis, Dai, Davi, Davin, Davion, Davon, Dovid, Dewey.
4. William
Origin: William is of Germanic origin.
Derivation: The name William is derived from the Germanic name Willahelm, meaning “resolute protector” or “strong-willed warrior.”
Similar Names: Will, Bill, Billy, Liam, Wilhelm, Willis, Wiley, Willem, Guilherme, Wilfred.
3. Andrew
Origin: Andrew is of Greek origin.
Derivation: The name Andrew is derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning “manly” or “brave.”
Similar Names: Andy, Drew, Andre, Anders, Andreas, Andrej, Andrei, Andreus, Aindreas, Ander.
2. Matthew
Origin: Matthew is of Hebrew origin.
Derivation: The name Matthew is derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning “gift of God.”
Similar Names: Matt, Matteo, Matthias, Matty, Matias, Mathis, Mathieu, Matej, Matan, Matvey.
1. Robert
Origin: Robert is of Germanic origin.
Derivation: The name Robert is derived from the Germanic name Hrodebert, meaning “bright fame.”
Similar Names: Rob, Bob, Bobby, Robbie, Bert, Rupert, Roberto, Robin, Rab, Robson.
Cool Middle Names for Your Baby Girl
A middle name is often a good place to experiment with names that may feel too bold for a first name but still resonate with your values, interests, or heritage. It’s an opportunity to take risks, but in a good way.
Whether you want a name with historical roots, a nature-inspired moniker, or something completely unexpected, middle names allow for a more personalized expression that first and last names don’t offer.
It can also provide flexibility for the child later in life. If they don’t connect with their first name growing up, the middle name offers an alternative if they want to change it or, at the least, a nickname they can use.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the most popular and cool middle names for your baby girl!
10. Marie
Origin: Marie is of Hebrew and French origin.
Derivation: The name Marie is derived from the Hebrew name Miryam, which can mean “sea of bitterness” or “beloved.”
Similar Names: Mary, Maria, Mariah, Mariam, Mara, Miriam, Maris, Marissa, Mariel, Mariella.
9. Grace
Origin: Grace is of Latin origin.
Derivation: The name Grace is derived from the Latin word gratia, meaning “grace” or “favor.”
Similar Names: Gracie, Gracelyn, Graciela, Grazia, Gray, Gratia, Gratia, Greer, Galya, Caris.
8. Rose
Origin: Rose is of Latin origin.
Derivation: The name Rose is derived from the Latin word rosa, meaning “rose” (the flower).
Similar Names: Rosa, Rosie, Rosalind, Rosalie, Rosanna, Rosemary, Rosetta, Rosina, Róisín, Rosaria.
7. Ann
Origin: Ann is of Hebrew origin.
Derivation: The name Ann is derived from the Hebrew name Channah, meaning “grace” or “favor.”
Similar Names: Anne, Anna, Annie, Annette, Anya, Annabel, Hannah, Anneliese, Anouk, Ana.
6. Elizabeth
Origin: Elizabeth is of Hebrew origin.
Derivation: The name Elizabeth is derived from the Hebrew name Elisheva, meaning “God is my oath.”
Similar Names: Eliza, Beth, Liz, Lisa, Elsa, Isabel, Liza, Bettie, Betsy, Elsie.
RELATED: 40 Beautiful, Pretty, Adorable, & Cool Middle Names for Girls in 2024
5. Faith
Origin: Faith is of English origin.
Derivation: The name Faith is derived from the Old French word feid, meaning “belief” or “trust.”
Similar Names: Hope, Charity, Joy, Grace, Felicity, Verity, Amity, True, Blythe, Patience.
4. Mae
Origin: Mae is of English origin.
Derivation: The name Mae is derived from the English word for the month of May, often used to signify growth and warmth.
Similar Names: May, Mabel, Maisie, Maelle, Maura, Maud, Maia, Mary, Mamie, Mavis.
3. Lynn
Origin: Lynn is of Welsh and English origin.
Derivation: The name Lynn is derived from the Welsh word llyn, meaning “lake” or “waterfall.”
Similar Names: Lynne, Lynda, Lynette, Linnea, Lin, Linden, Lindsey, Lynley, Lyric, Lynora.
2. Renee
Origin: Renee is of French origin.
Derivation: The name Renee is derived from the Latin word renatus, meaning “reborn.”
Similar Names: Rena, Renée, Renata, Rina, Reine, Rani, Raine, Reyna, Regina, Rennie.
1. Jane
Origin: Jane is of Hebrew origin.
Derivation: The name Jane is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.”
Similar Names: Joan, Jean, Janet, Janie, Joanna, Janelle, Jan, Janice, Janina, Johanna.
Cool Middle Names You Don’t See Very Often
The middle names we’ve listed so far are used by millions of parents every single year. And while there’s a good reason for that – being that their all highly versatile middle names – not everyone will like them.
And that’s okay because you have millions of other options to choose from, and this is a judge-free zone!
One growing trend today has parents targeting more unique and cool middle names that either aren’t used often or have never been used, giving their child something rare to hold onto for the rest of their life.
If that’s the type of middle name you want for your baby boy or girl, check out these cool middle names!
10. Lavinia
Origin: Lavinia is of Latin origin.
Derivation: The name Lavinia is derived from an ancient Roman name, possibly connected to the Latin word lavare, meaning “to wash.”
Similar Names: Lavina, Lav, Vinnie, Livinia, Lavya, Lavi, Alvina, Lavanda, Lavera, Lavelle.
9. Sage
Origin: Sage is of Latin origin.
Derivation: The name Sage is derived from the Latin word sapiens, meaning “wise” or “profound thinker.”
Similar Names: Saige, Saylor, Paige, Zane, Sacha, Sagan, Sawyer, Sal, Sera, Sia.
8. Oberon
Origin: Oberon is of Germanic origin.
Derivation: The name Oberon is derived from the Germanic name Auberon, meaning “noble bear.”
Similar Names: Auberon, Orson, Odin, Orion, Obie, Oskar, Oberto, Ozias, Oberyn, Otis.
7. Reverie
Origin: Reverie is of French origin.
Derivation: The name Reverie is derived from the French word rêverie, meaning “daydream” or “reflection.”
Similar Names: Dream, Bliss, Story, Melody, Harmony, Rhea, Serenity, Fable, Poem, Lyrica.
6. Vienna
Origin: Vienna is of Latin origin.
Derivation: The name Vienna is derived from the Latin name of the Austrian city, possibly from Vindobona, meaning “forest stream.”
Similar Names: Siena, Vienne, Verona, Venetia, Vienna, Veda, Vivienne, Vanna, Vera, Vienna.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 101 Italian Cool Middle Names
5. Selene
Origin: Selene is of Greek origin.
Derivation: The name Selene is derived from the Greek word Selēnē, meaning “moon.”
Similar Names: Selena, Luna, Celine, Solene, Serena, Seline, Soleil, Selena, Selina, Sereia.
4. Zephyr
Origin: Zephyr is of Greek origin.
Derivation: The name Zephyr is derived from the Greek word Zephyros, meaning “west wind.”
Similar Names: Zephyra, Zeke, Zev, Zayn, Zenith, Zia, Zandra, Xander, Zander, Zoren.
3. Geneva
Origin: Geneva is of Germanic origin.
Derivation: The name Geneva is derived from the Germanic word Genovefa, meaning “race of women.”
Similar Names: Ginevra, Jen, Ginny, Gwen, Genna, Geneva, Geneva, Vivienne, Gia, Geneva.
2. Roscoe
Origin: Roscoe is of Old Norse origin.
Derivation: The name Roscoe is derived from the Old Norse word Roskvi, meaning “deer forest” or “wood of the roe.”
Similar Names: Rocco, Rocky, Rosco, Rio, Rory, Roderick, Roy, Rudy, Remy, Radley.
1. Odette
Origin: Odette is of French and Germanic origin.
Derivation: The name Odette is derived from the Germanic name Oda, meaning “wealth” or “fortune.”
Similar Names: Odile, Odetta, Ottilie, Oda, Ola, Ottie, Odeya, Etta, Adette, Odilia.
Cool Middle Names Inspired By Celebrity Middle Names
Most of us know celebrities by their first and last name, or stage name, but one thing that usually slips through the cracks is their middle name. Some people just aren’t interested, while others don’t think of it.
But trust us when we say you’re missing out because most celebrities have pretty cool middle names!
For starters, a lot of celebrities use their middle name as their first name, including Mindy Kaling (Vera Mindy Chokalingam), Brad PItt (William Bradley Pitt), and Ashton Kutcher (Christopher Ashton Kutcher).
And did you know Blake Lively’s middle name is Ellender? And Adele’s middle name is Laurie Blue?
Let’s take a look at 10 other famous and well-known celebrities who have unique and cool middle names!
10. Garry (Kate Hudson)
Origin: Garry is of Germanic origin.
Derivation: The name Garry is derived from the Germanic name Gerhard, meaning “spear strength.”
Who is Kate Garry Hudson? Kate Hudson is an American actress known for her roles in romantic comedies like Almost Famous and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. She is also a businesswoman and co-founder of the fitness brand Fabletics.
9. Stamatina (Tina Fey)
Origin: Stamatina is of Greek origin.
Derivation: The name Stamatina is derived from the Greek word stamato, meaning “stop” or “halt.”
Who is Elizabeth Stamatina Fey? Tina Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer best known for her work on Saturday Night Live, her creation of the sitcom 30 Rock, and her hit film Mean Girls. She is celebrated for her sharp wit and comedic writing.
8. Karuna (Uma Thurman)
Origin: Karuna is of Sanskrit origin.
Derivation: The name Karuna is derived from the Sanskrit word karuṇā, meaning “compassion” or “mercy.”
Who is Uma Karuna Thurman? Uma Thurman is an American actress known for her roles in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, where she portrayed strong, iconic female characters. She is recognized for her versatility and captivating screen presence.
7. Hayter (Martin Short)
Origin: Hayter is of Old English origin.
Derivation: The name Hayter is derived from the Old English word heah-tir, meaning “high land” or “ridge.”
Who is Martin Hayter Short? Martin Short is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, and writer famous for his work on Saturday Night Live and his roles in films like Three Amigos and Father of the Bride. He is widely recognized for his comedic talent and charismatic performances.
6. Kimberley (James Corden)
Origin: Kimberley is of Old English origin.
Derivation: The name Kimberley is derived from the Old English place name meaning “woodland clearing of the royal fortress.”
Who is James Kimberley Corden? James Corden is a British actor, comedian, and television host known for hosting The Late Late Show with James Corden. He gained international fame for his popular “Carpool Karaoke” segments and his work in theater and film.
5. Wroughton (Daniel Craig)
Origin: Wroughton is of Old English origin.
Derivation: The name Wroughton is derived from an Old English place name meaning “town near a clearing” or “farmstead.”
Who is Daniel Wroughton Craig? Daniel Craig is a British actor best known for his role as James Bond in the 007 film series, including Casino Royale and Skyfall. His portrayal of Bond is noted for its gritty and modern take on the iconic character.
4. Erhard (Hilary Duff)
Origin: Erhard is of Germanic origin.
Derivation: The name Erhard is derived from the Germanic words era (honor) and hard (brave), meaning “honor-brave” or “respected and strong.”
Who is Hilary Erhard Duff? Hilary Duff is an American actress, singer, and businesswoman who rose to fame as the star of Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire. She has also enjoyed a successful music career and has written several books.
3. Wilhelm (Leonardo DiCaprio)
Origin: Wilhelm is of Germanic origin.
Derivation: The name Wilhelm is derived from the Germanic name Willahelm, meaning “willful protector” or “resolute guardian.”
Who is Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio? Leonardo DiCaprio is an award-winning American actor known for his roles in films like Titanic, Inception, and The Revenant. He is acclaimed for his versatility and commitment to environmental activism.
2. Heyworth (Jude Law)
Origin: Heyworth is of Old English origin.
Derivation: The name Heyworth is derived from an Old English place name meaning “enclosure by the wood” or “farmstead by the wood.”
Who is Jude Heyworth Law? Jude Law is a British actor recognized for his performances in films such as The Talented Mr. Ripley, Sherlock Holmes, and Cold Mountain. He is known for his charisma and strong screen presence.
1. Géza (Ben Affleck)
Origin: Géza is of Hungarian origin.
Derivation: The name Géza is derived from the Hungarian word for “leader” or “prince,” likely linked to early Hungarian nobility.
Who is Benjamin Géza Affleck? Ben Affleck is an American actor, director, and screenwriter known for his roles in Good Will Hunting, Argo, and as Batman in the DC Extended Universe. He has won multiple awards, including an Oscar for Best Picture for Argo.
Cool Middle Names to Pair With America’s Most Popular First Names
Did you know that the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps track of baby name data in the United States and publishes an annual list of the most popular baby names chosen by parents that year?
It’s true. And they collect this data from Social Security card applications for all births in the U.S., making it one of the most popular and extensive databases and resources for parents, researchers, and more!
With that said, we’re going to list some cool middle names that would pair well with some of the most common first names being used in the US, according to their most recent data from last year (2023).
And we’ll split the names up into three categories: one-syllable, two-syllable, and three-syllable names.
10. Liam
Live Births in 2023: 20,802 baby boys
One-Syllable Middle Names: Jett, Roy, Kai, Grant, Troy, Dash, Nash, Smith, Reid, Lake
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Ryder, Harlan, Logan, Carter, Nolan, Levi, Victor, Spencer, Henry, Micah
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Sebastian, Elijah, Tobias, Mateo, Adrian, Julian, Maverick, Benjamin, Malachi, Orion
9. Noah
Live Births in 2023: 18,995 baby boys
One-Syllable Middle Names: Zane, Ross, Cole, Shane, Vance, Pierce, Gray, Jay, Finn, Ace
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Parker, Jasper, Kevin, Tanner, August, Mason, Hunter, Dylan, Landon, Calvin
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Anthony, Gabriel, Nicholas, Dominic, Oliver, Jonathan, Xavier, Atticus, Finnegan, Jeremy
8. Oliver
Live Births in 2023: 14,741 baby boys
One-Syllable Middle Names: Hayes, Cade, Flint, James, Ash, Max, Slate, Jack, King, Quinn
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Finley, Silas, Asher, Theo, Lennox, Grayson, Judah, Wilson, Tyler, Thomas
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Nathaniel, Everett, Apollo, Ezekiel, Emerson, Solomon, Timothy, Augustus, Elliot, Gregory
7. James
Live Births in 2023: 11,670 baby boys
One-Syllable Middle Names: Rhys, Heath, Ford, Wade, Dane, Stone, Scout, Chase, Cruz, Jude
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Felix, Sawyer, Easton, Hudson, Rowan, Milo, Jordan, Wyatt, Owen, Hayden
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Raphael, Theodore, Matthias, Isaiah, Jeremy, Abraham, Gideon, Thaddeus, Barnaby, Anderson
6. Elijah
Live Births in 2023: 11,452 baby boys
One-Syllable Middle Names: Blake, Drake, Knox, Tate, Cash, Clay, Bryce, Beau, Reece
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Archer, Trevor, Phillip, Porter, Simon, Ethan, Eric, REmy, Jonas, Casey
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Harrison, Sullivan, Anthony, Cameron, Dominic, Everett, Remington, Tobias, Levington, Romeo
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 48 Most Common, But Cool Middle Names for Girls & Boys
5. Olivia
Live Births in 2023: 15,270 baby girls
One-Syllable Middle Names: Sage, Beth, Quinn, Hope, Claire, June, Pearl, Faye, Sky, Reese
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Nora, Ruby, Daisy, Hazel, Chloe, Sadie, Ivy, Luna, Harper, Zoey
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Sophia, Eliza, Fiona, Naomi, Isabel, Lydia, Annabelle, Juniper, Rebecca, Mariah, Trinity
4. Emma
Live Births in 2023: 13,527 baby girls
One-Syllable Middle Names: Wren, Brooke, Maeve, Jade, Tess, Dawn, Lux, Blaire, Rose, Skye
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Mila, Olive, Piper, Willow, Cora, Layla, Eden, Iris, Elsie, Bella, Stella
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Helena, Abigail, Savannah, Evelyn, Cecilia, Juliet, Sierra, Susanna, Natalia, Vanessa
3. Charlotte
Live Births in 2023: 12,596 baby girls
One-Syllable Middle Names: Paige, Jane, Grace, Joy, Anne, Liv, Britt, Belle, Rae, Faith
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Riley, Mabel, Harlow, Gemma, Violet, Remy, Alice, Aria, Emma, Lola
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Alora, Aliyah, Emory, Malia, Miriam, Samara, Fatima, Helena, Bellammy
2. Amelia
Live Births in 2023: 12,311 baby girls
One-Syllable Middle Names: Bex, Lynn, Kay, Gwen, Sloane, Kit, Brynn, Dove, Star, Shay
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Rosie, Phoebe, Aspen, Kira, Ember, Cleo, Lucy, Juno, Tessa, Daisy
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Jocelyn, Adeline, Vivienne, Brianna, Emily, Madeline, Felicity, Bianca, Isabelle, Camilla
1. Sophia
Live Births in 2023: 11,944 baby girls
One-Syllable Middle Names: Blaise, Blue, Rue, Nell, Greer, Kim, Fern, Bliss, Dot
Two-Syllable Middle Names: Ruby, Zora, Autumn, Opal, Greta, Briar, Macey, Thea, Zara
Three-Syllable Middle Names: Sierra, Melanie, Angeline, Emmeline, Daniela, Lorelei, Dorothy, Rosalie, Annabelle, Vivienne, Miranda
It’s Hard to Pick With So Many Cool Middle Names to Choose From!
While the first and last names are usually the primary focus, the middle name plays a crucial role in creating a harmonious and balanced full name that both rolls off the tongue and is easy to remember.
With that said, parents often feel pressure to find a name that complements both the first and last names, creating a seamless flow when spoken aloud. And this struggle can make it difficult to settle on one.
The balancing act between fitting in, standing out, and maintaining a smooth rhythm can make the process feel overwhelming, but hopefully we gave you some ideas in our list of cool middle names above.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 130 Best Cool Middle Names for Girls from A to Z
But if those cool middle names just weren’t cool enough, then that’s okay. There’s plenty more where that comes from at our Mamas Uncut blog, and we even have a baby name generator for you to check out!
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.
Baby Name Generator
No baby name sounding good? Want a quick way to generate unique baby name ideas? Try our baby name generator below!
Set your terms (sex of the baby, number of letters, popularity, etc.) and then get a list of names that meet your criteria. Maybe the perfect name is just waiting to be generated for you.