How to Pick a Middle Name: A Parent's Guide

Here is a guide to help parents pick a middle name for their newborn, exploring options from honoring family to prioritizing sound and style.

Honor and legacy

Using the middle name to honor a person or heritage is a classic choice with deep meaning. This option can tell a powerful story about your child's roots.

• Family names. A beloved grandparent, aunt, or uncle's name can live on as a middle name, giving it a place of honor without using it as a first name. You can also use a mother's maiden name or another surname from your family tree to preserve heritage.
• Family tradition. In some families, a specific middle name is passed down through generations, making the choice a simple and meaningful one.
• Cultural heritage. For families with different cultural backgrounds, the middle name can be a way to pass on a name from one side of the family. You could also choose a name from your heritage in its original language.

Style and flow

When choosing a middle name, it's important to consider how it sounds with the first and last names. The middle name is a perfect place to add a splash of creativity or to balance the overall rhythm.

• Complement the first name. If you have a popular or traditional first name, you can choose a more unique or modern middle name to make the combination more distinctive. Conversely, a classic middle name can balance a very trendy first name.
• Check the rhythm. Say the full name aloud to check the flow and rhythm. A name combination with varying syllable counts often sounds more pleasing. For example, a three-syllable first name with a one-syllable middle name.
• Avoid collisions. Watch for names that run together when said aloud. For instance, a first name ending in the same sound that the middle name begins with can create an awkward combination, like "Ava Anne".

Creative and meaningful concepts

The middle name is an excellent opportunity to get creative and express your personality as parents.

• Nature and mythology. Look to nature for beautiful and earthy names like Sage, River, or Willow. You can also draw from mythology with names like Athena or Orion.
• Meaningful places. A middle name can commemorate a place of special significance, such as the city where you met or a favorite vacation spot.
• Names you almost used. If you and your partner had a favorite name that didn't make the cut for the first name, the middle name can be its perfect home.
• Multiple middle names. For those who can't choose just one, or who want to honor multiple relatives, using two middle names is an option.