230+ Unique Middle Names With Origins & Beautiful Meanings

Overview

Unique middle names are fun, exotic, and exciting – and they can make your little one stand out in a room filled with Johns and Janes.

How do you pick the perfect middle name for your baby?

Many parents use the formula “popular name” + “unique name” or vice versa.

Of course, you can always follow your heart and combine two unique and rare names together.

Check out our 230+ picks for unique middle names for boys and girls below.

Why Do People Use Middle Names?

Historians believe that middle names for boys were used in ancient Roman times more as an attribute or indication of that person’s branch of the family. (1)

At the time, it was rare to use middle names for girls, and enslaved people didn’t use any. (1)

The practice of using middle names was lost for centuries before it was supposedly revived in the 13th century in Italy. (1)(2)

Historians explain that parents often chose a baby’s middle name after saints, believing they might protect the little ones named after them. (1)(2)

The practice spread to France and other parts of the world in the late 19th century. (1)

Today, popular baby names like “Marie” or “John” are used as first or middle names. They’re even commonly used as nicknames.

The Best First Names That Also Work As Unique Middle Names

What’s The Rarest Name?

Clothilde (French girl name) – Warrior name meaning “famous in battle”; pronounced as “klo-teeld”

What Are Unique Middle Names?

Luda (Russian girl name) – “Love of the people”

Mette (Norse and Norwegian name for girls) – Nature name meaning “pearl”

Salām (Arabic boy name) – “Peace”

Van (Vietnamese name for boys) – “Cloud”

Zuri (Swahili – African girl name) – Name that means “beautiful”

What Are Some Strong & Powerful Middle Names?

Amory (English and German name; unisex) – “Home-ruler,” “home strength,” or “powerful leader”

Atlas (ancient Greek name) – Greek god name meaning “bearer of the heavens”; after the Titan who carried the heavens on his shoulders to stop from crashing to the ground

Beckett (Anglo-Saxon and Old English boy name) – Water-inspired name meaning “brook” or “stream”

Cyrus (Persian and Greek boy name) – Name that means “sun,” “throne,” or “someone who can see far”

Logan (Scottish boy name) – “Little hollow”

Edgy & Badass Middle Names

Akari (Japanese boy name) – Name that means “light”

Ari (Hebrew and Scandinavian gender-neutral name) – “Lion” or “eagle”

Egil (Old Norse boy name) – “Awe,” “terror,” or “the edge of a sword”

Kenji (Japanese name for boys) – “Strong and vigorous”

Rio (Portuguese and Spanish boy name) – “River”

Wolfe (German boy name) – “Wolf”

Rare Spiritual & Biblical Middle Names

Aziel (Hebrew boy name) – “God is my power”

Gilles (Latin and French boy name) – “Servant of Jesus,” “shield-bearer,” “pledge,” or “young goat”

Isaac (Hebrew boy name) – Biblical boy name meaning “one who laughs”

Unusual & ‘Weird’ Middle Names

Akua (Hawaiian boy name) – Ghost name meaning “spirit”

Apple (English unisex name) – Fruit name; might be considered more as a nickname than a ‘proper’ middle name

Cale (Hebrew boy name) – “Brave dog”

Honey (English girl name) – Favorite pet name for a loved one

Muffin (English unisex name) – Food name; you might consider using this as a nickname instead

Peanut (English unisex name) – Food name; might be better used as a nickname

Pickle (English unisex name) – Food name that might be ideal as a pet name; also a place name meaning “pointed and having a narrow corner”

Cool Middle Names

Cool Middle Names For Boys

Bondi (Italian boy name) – “Beach-lover” or “good day”

Jax (American boy name) – “Son of Jack”; can also be a variant of “Jackson”

Reed (English boy name) – “Red hair”

Stark (English boy name) – “Firm and unyielding”

Titus (Latin, Roman, and Sabine boy name) – “Title of honor” or “of the giants”

Cool Girl Middle Names

Adeline (German girl name) – Vintage girl name meaning “noble”

Bree (Irish girl name) – “Noble” or “power”

Rae (American and Hebrew girl name) – “Ewe (female sheep)” as a short form of “Rachel”

Zabel (Armenian girl name) – “Devoted to God”; variant of the Italian girl name “Isabella”

Cute & Adorable Middle Names

Aiden (Celtic and Irish boy name) – Name that means “fire” or a mystical name meaning “god of the sun and fire”

Dawn (Old English girl name) – “Daybreak” or “the first appearance of light”

Kai (Māori and Japanese gender-neutral name) – “Food,” meal,” “shell,” “ocean,” “warrior,” or “willow tree”

Shay (Gaelic and Irish name for boys) – “Admirable”

Virtue-Inspired Middle Names

Akela (Hawaiian name for boys) – “Wisdom”

Frede (German girl name) – “Peace”

Beautiful Names

Eleanor (Greek girl name) – “Shining light”

Ingrid (Celtic and Norse girl name) – “Beautiful”

Mariam (Hebrew and Arabic girl name) – “Beloved,” “bitter,” or “drop of the sea”; less common variant of “Miriam”

Paz (Spanish girl name) – “Peace”

Nature Names

Aspen (Old English boy name) – “Aspen tree”

Canyon (English boy name) – Earthy name meaning “narrow chasm with steep walls”

Cedar (English boy name) – “Cedar tree”

Paloma (Latin girl name) – “Dove”

Tabitha (Aramaic girl name) – “Gazelle” or “grace”

Trendy But Still-Uncommon Middle Names

Ander (Scandinavian and Greek name for boys) – “Lion man”

Anja (Russian name for girls) – Name that means “grace” or “God has favored me”; variant of the Hebrew name “Hannah”

Dax (English and French name for boys) – “Leader” or “water”

Sage (Latin unisex name) – “Wise,” “healthy,” or an herb name

Sven (Scandinavian boy name) – “Young warrior”; Disney name after the valiant reindeer in “Frozen”

Classic & Vintage Baby Names To Honor Your Heritage

Bram (Dutch boy name) – “Father of multitudes” as a variant of the Hebrew boy name “Abraham”

Nuno (Portuguese and Latin boy name) – “Grandfather” or “nine”

Otis (English boy name) – “Wealth”

Watkins (English boy name) – “Little Walter” or “son of Walter”

Music-Themed Unique Middle Names

Aria (Italian name for girls) – “Solo song or music piece in an opera,” “air,” or “lioness”

Gayatri (Sanskrit girl name) – “Song”

‘Cowboy’ & Country Boy Middle Names

Knox (Scottish boy name) – “Round hill”

Trace (Anglo-Saxon boy name) – “Brave”; after American country singer Trace Adkins

Unique Middle Names From Literature & Pop Culture

Some names that are well-known in pop culture but aren’t commonly used as middle names:

Bond (English boy name) – “Farmer”; with links to the “James Bond” series

Jarvis (French boy name) – “Servant spear”; AI in several “Iron Man” and “Avengers” movies

Sabrina (English, Latin, Celtic, and Italian girl name) – “From the name of River Severn” or “from the border”; a witchy name after the main character in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”

Rare Magical Middle Names

Aslan (Turkish and Iranian boy name) – “Lion”; after the most powerful being in “The Chronicles of Narnia”

Gandalf (Old Norse boy name) – Elf boy name meaning “wand elf”; among the powerful wizards in J.R.R. Tolkien lore (appears in “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings”)

Iridessa (Latin baby girl name) – “Like a rainbow”; light-talent fairy in the “Tinkerbell” series

Rosetta (Italian baby girl name) – “Rose”; garden-talent fairy in the “Tinkerbell” series

Undine (Latin girl name) – Mermaid name meaning “wave” or “water nymphs”

Mythical Middle Names

Apollo (Greek boy name) – “Protector” as the god of the sun, light, healing, and prophecy in Greek mythology

Griffin (Welsh, Irish, and Latin boy name) – “Mythical creature,” “lord,” or “prince”

Tatiana (Russian girl name) – “Queen of the fairies”; also a character in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a famous play by William Shakespeare

Zeus (Greek boy name) – Greek god of the heavens and the most powerful god in Greek mythology

Family Names (Last Names) As Unique Middle Names

Anderson (Scandinavian and Greek boy name) – “Son of Anders” or “son of Andrew”

Huxley (English boy name) – “Hugh’s meadow” or “inhospitable place”

Sawyer (English gender-neutral name) – “Woodcutter”

Thatcher (English boy name) – “Roof maker”

Other Gender-Based Unique Monikers & Middle Names

What Are Rare Middle Names For A Girl?

Avery (French and English girl name) – Mystical name meaning “ruler of elves”

Tiana (Latin and Russian girl name) – “Fairy queen” or “daylight”; also a Disney princess name in “The Princess and the Frog”

Unique & Rare Middle Names For Boys

Guenther (Old Norse boy name) – “A good leader”

Tariq (Arabic boy name) – “One who knocks at the door”

Truett (Old Norse and American boy name) – “Warrior for Christ”

Gender-Neutral & Nonbinary Middle Names

Auden (Old English nonbinary name) – “Old friend”

Spark (English unisex name) – “Glowing particle”

Xen (Greek nonbinary name) – “Foreigner” or “guest”

Unique Androgynous (Gender-Free) Middle Names

Jalen (Greek and American androgynous name) – “Tranquil,” “calm,” or “healer”

Oak (English androgynous name) – “From the oak trees”

Wylie (Old English gender-free) – “Crafty” or “clever”

Rare Middle Names By Syllables

What Are Syllables?

Syllables are pronunciation units having one vowel sound. For example:

Blaire (Gaelic girl name; pronounced as “bleyr”) – One-syllable girl name meaning “battlefield”

Levi (Hebrew boy name) – Two-syllable name meaning “joined in harmony”

Martina (Roman and Latin girl name) – Three-syllable name meaning “warlike” or “like Mars (Roman god of war)” as a variant of “Martin”

See more examples of baby names by syllables below:

One-Syllable & Short Middle Names

Britt (Scandinavian boy name) – “Exalted one”

Pim (Dutch boy name) – “Resolute protection” as a variant of the German boy name “William”

Sol (Spanish boy name) – Name that means “sun”

Taj (Sanskrit boy name) – “Crown”

Two-Syllable & Other Short Middle Names

Denver (Old English and French boy name) – “Belonging to a green valley”

Kylo (American boy name) – “Sky”

Long Three- & Four-Syllable Middle Names For Babies

Addison (Old English unisex name) – “Son of Adam”

Anastasia (Greek girl name) – “Resurrection”

Maverick (American boy name) – “Independent-minded person” or “one who doesn’t give into conformity”

Exotic Middle Names From Around The World

Bodhi (Sanskrit boy name) – “Knowing” or “awakened”

Callum (Latin boy name) – “Dove”

Cruz (Spanish boy name) – “Cross”; popular as a Hispanic boy name but less commonly used outside the Hispanic community

Imogen (Celtic girl name) – “Maiden” or “young lady”

Nikhil (Sanskrit boy name) – “The entire world”

Shalom (Hebrew boy name) – “Peace”

Silas (English and Latin boy name) – “Wood forest”

Tai (Chinese boy name) – “Extreme” or “great”

Teodoro (Spanish boy name) – “Gift of god”; variant of the Greek boy name “Theodore”

Celebrity Baby Names

Keanu (Hawaiian boy name) – “Cool breeze over the mountains”; after Canadian actor Keanu Reeves

Kobe (Swahili – African boy name) – “Turtle”; after American professional basketball player Kobe Bryant

Zane (Hebrew baby boy name) – “God is gracious”; after American actor Zane Phillips

Unique Names From A To Z For Your Little One

Unique Middle Names Starting With A

Amar (Sanskrit boy name) – “Forever” or “immortal”

Asha (Arabic girl name) – “Alive and well”

Asher (Hebrew and Jewish boy name) – “Happiness”

Unique Middle Names Starting With B

Basma (Arabic girl name) – “Smile”

Blythe (Old English girl name) – “Joyous,” “pleasant,” or “happy”

Briscoe (Old English boy name) – “Birch wood”

Unique Middle Names Starting With C

Caden (Old English and Gaelic boy name) – “Marsh”

Casey (Irish and Scottish Gaelic unisex name) – “Brave,” “vigilant,” or “watchful”

Cassandra (Greek girl name) – “One who shines and excels over man”

Clarissa (Latin girl name) – “Famous and bright”; less common variant of “Claire”

Cosmo (Greek name for boys) – Space boy name meaning “universe,” “order,” or “beauty”

Unique Middle Names Starting With D

Daleyza (Latin and Spanish girl name) – Flower name meaning “Dahlia”

Damon (Greek boy name) – “To subdue” or “to tame”

Dior (French boy name) – “Golden”

Unique Middle Names Starting With E

Eco (Latin boy name) – “Of the environment”

Everest (French and English boy name) – “To have courage”

Ewan (Scottish boy name – “From the yew tree”

Unique Middle Names Starting With F

Fernanda (Spanish girl name) – “Bold journey” or “adventurous” as a variant of the boy names “Fernando” or “Ferdinand”

Forest (English boy name) – “Woods”

Francesca (Italian girl name) – “Free” as a variant of the boy name “Francis”

Unique Middle Names Starting With G

Gervase (English and German boy name) – “Spear”

Graciela (Spanish girl name) – Name that means “grace”

Griselda (German girl name) – “Gray battle”

Unique Middle Names Starting With H

Hani (Hawaiian name for boys) – “Happy”

Hawk (English boy name) – “Bird of prey”

Herb (Old German boy name) – “Bright and shining,” “illustrious warrior,” or “noble” as a short form of “Herbert”; also a plant name

Hershey (Hebrew boy name) – Nature name meaning “deer” or “happiness” and “joyful”

Homer (Greek boy name) – “Pledge”

Unique Middle Names Starting With I

Iacchus (Greek boy name) – “To shout”

Ianthe (Greek girl name) – Name that means “purple” or “violet”

Indira (Sanskrit girl name) – Name that means “beautiful”

Unique Middle Names Starting With J

Jacobo (Hebrew and Spanish boy name) – “Supplanter”

Jaxtyn (American boy name) – “From the town of Jack”

Jordana (Hebrew girl name) – “Down flowing”; less popular than the masculine name “Jordan”

Unique Middle Names Starting With K

Karsyn (Scottish boy name) – “Son of Carr”

Keegan (Irish boy name) – Name that means “fire” or “fiery”

Kehlani (Hawaiian girl name) – “Sea and sky”

Unique Middle Names Starting With L

Lark (English unisex name) – “Lighthearted songbird”

Leif (Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name) – “Beloved”

Link (German and Jewish boy name) – “Left-handed person”

Unique Middle Names Starting With M

Mae (British and Roman girl name) – “Goddess of spring growth”; less common variant of “May”

Malia (Hawaiian girl name) – “Of the sea”

Mari (Japanese girl name) – “Bitter” or “drop of the sea”; variant of the French name “Marie”

Myles (Latin and English boy name) – “Soldier”

Unique Middle Names Starting with N

Nolan (Irish name for boys) – “Champion”

North (English boy name) – Direction name

Nyla (Gaelic girl name) – “Champion”

Unique Middle Names Starting With O

Olalla (Spanish girl name) – “Sweetly-speaking”

Ornella (Italian name for girls) – “Flowering ash tree”

Otto (German name for boys) – “Wealth”

Unique Middle Names Starting With P

Pace (Italian name for boys and girls) – “Peace”

Paige (French gender-neutral name) – “Young servant”

Paix (French boy name) – “Peace”; pronounced as “peh”

Pepper (English girl name) – Spice name

Poe (English boy name) – “Peacock”

Unique Middle Names Starting With Q

Qadry (Arabic boy name) – “Capable”

Quest (English boy name) – “To explore”

Quinella (Latin girl name) – “Beautiful”

Unique Middle Names Starting With R

Ramsay (Scottish boy name) – “The island of garlic” or “low-lying land”

Rhett (Dutch and English boy name) – “Advice”

Rhys (Welsh unisex name) – “Passionate,” “ardent,” or “enthusiastic”

Ryder (Old English gender-neutral name) – “Horseman,” “messenger,” or “cavalry”

Unique Middle Names Starting With S

Sebastian (Greek boy name) – “Venerable”

Shea (Gaelic unisex name) – “The stately, dauntless one” or “admirable”

Sìth (Scottish Gaelic girl name) – “Peace”

Slate (English boy name) – “Gray-green rock”

Unique Middle Names Starting With T

Terese (Greek girl name) – “Harvester”

Tristan (Celtic boy name) – “Sorrowful” or “melancholy”; literature name after one of the main characters in the tragedy “Tristan and Isolde”

Twain (Old English boy name) – “Divided into two”

Unique Middle Names Starting With U

Ulrika (Swedish girl name) – “Power” and “prosperity”; feminine variant of the German boy name “Ulrich”

Uri (Hebrew boy name) – “My light”

Ursula (Latin girl name) – “Little she-bear”

Unique Middle Names Starting With V

Valpuri (Finnish girl name) – “Ruler of the fortress”

Vasia (Greek girl name) – “Regal”

Vidal (Spanish boy name) – “Life”

Unique Middle Names Starting With W

Wilder (English boy name) – “Untamed”

Willow (English girl name) – “Willow tree” or “freedom”

Wyatt (English boy name) – “Brave in war” or “brave warrior”

Unique Middle Names Starting With X

Xander (American boy name) – “Protector of men” or “defender of humankind” as a version of the Greek boy name “Alexander”

Xavier (Basque, Arabic, and Spanish boy name) – “House” or “new house”

Xiomara (Spanish girl name) – “Famous in battle”

Unique Middle Names Starting With Y

Yanina (Ukrainian and Russian girl name) – “Graced by God”

Yehosheva (Hebrew girl name) – “Yahweh is an oath”

Yumiko (Japanese girl name) – “Beautiful child”

Unique Middle Names Starting With Z

Zaharina (Hebrew girl name) – “God remembers”

Zeke (Hebrew boy name) – “God will strengthen”

Zephaniah (Hebrew boy name) – “Hidden by God”

Zyair (African boy name) – “The river that swallows all rivers”

Baby Name Combos

Atticus Ren (boy)
Darragh Cian (boy)
Dougal Moss (boy)
Harper Mae (girl)
Lindy Lou (girl)
Wilma Jo (girl)

More Unique Middle Names

Aleta (girl)
Aren (boy)
Berenice (girl)
Cerise (girl)
Cillian (boy)
Elektra (girl)
Fayre (girl)
Fletcher (boy)
Hendrix (boy)
Houston (boy)
Hudson (boy)
Inoki (boy)
Kamalei (boy)
Marceline (girl)
Marleigh (girl)
Moira (girl)
Serafina (girl)
Tovi (girl)
Viviana (girl)
Warren (boy)
Wison (boy)
Xena (girl)
Yuki (boy)
Zenni (girl)

Bonus: Traditional & Popular Middle Names For Babies

The top 10 most popular names in the US, based on stats from the SSA (Social Security Administration), are also favorite choices as middle names. (3)

These are the names, arranged by gender and in their respective rank from #1 to #10: (3)

Popular Middle Names For Girls

Olivia
Emma
Charlotte
Amelia
Sophia
Isabella
Ava
Mia
Evelyn
Luna

Favorite Middle Names For Boys

Liam
Noah
Oliver – “Olive tree”
James
Elijah
William
Henry
Lucas
Benjamin
Theodore

FAQs

Are Middle Names Legally Significant & Do They Matter?

Yes. Middle names are considered part of a person’s legal name and must be declared in legal documents.

Although they don’t appear first on the list, these middle names matter. That’s why it’s essential to double-check the meanings of your baby’s first and middle names before registering their birth.

Can Nicknames & Pet Names Be Used As Middle Names (Or Vice Versa)?

Yes. Many middle names also double as nicknames or pet names, and vice versa.

Are There Any Unique Middle Names I Should Avoid?

Names from these lists might not be ideal as middle names:

You can also find ideas from the top 15 baby name generators.

References

(1) https://time.com/4451977/history-of-middle-names/

(2) https://www.rd.com/article/why-do-we-have-middle-names/

(3) https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/