Middle names are an important part of a child’s full name. When picking a middle name, it’s a good idea to think about your family’s history, your child’s gender, and the origin of the name. These things help create a meaningful and balanced name.
In America, middle names are usually chosen by the parents. They can be used to honor someone, follow a family tradition, or simply because the parents like how the name sounds. There are no strict rules, but here are some common ways people choose middle names:
- Family tradition: Many families pass down middle names from parents or grandparents.
- Honoring relatives: Some parents use a middle name to honor a loved one like a grandparent or aunt.
- Sound and flow: Parents often choose a name that sounds good with the first and last names.
- Meaning: A name might be chosen because it has a special or personal meaning.
- Personal preference: Sometimes, parents just pick a name they like.
- Combining names: Parents might combine their own names or family names to create a unique one.
- Creative choices: Some go for rare or creative names that have special meaning to them.
Take a look at some great American middle names for both boys and girls to find the perfect match!
Best American Names
- Aiden
- Olivia
- Liam
- Emma
- Noah
- Ava
- Mason
- Sophia
- Elijah
- Isabella
- James
- Mia
- Lucas
- Evelyn
- Henry
- Abigail
- Alexander
- Emily
- Michael
- Elizabeth
- Ethan
- Sofia
- Daniel
- Scarlett
- Matthew
- Victoria
- Jackson
- Madison
- Sebastian
- Luna
- Jack
- Chloe
- Owen
- Grace
- Samuel
- Ellie
- Wyatt
- Nora
- John
- Hazel
- Joseph
- Zoey
- David
- Riley
- Carter
- Lily
- Luke
- Aurora
- Jayden
- Penelope
- Grayson
- Layla
- Levi
- Violet
- Isaac
- Lillian
- Gabriel
- Stella
- Julian
- Addison
- Mateo
- Willow
- Anthony
- Hannah
- Jaxon
- Aria
- Lincoln
- Eleanor
- Joshua
- Natalie
- Christopher
- Leah
- Andrew
- Savannah
- Theodore
- Audrey
- Caleb
- Brooklyn
- Ryan
- Bella
- Asher
- Claire
- Nathan
- Skylar
- Thomas
- Paisley
- Leo
- Lucy
- Isaiah
- Anna
- Charles
- Caroline
- Josiah
- Genesis
- Hudson
- Kennedy
- Christian
- Hailey
- Hunter
- Sadie
- Connor
- Aaliyah
- Eli
- Allison
- Ezra
- Nevaeh
- Aaron
- Gabriella
- Adrian
- Autumn
- Jonathan
- Serenity
- Nolan
- Peyton
- Jeremiah
- Melanie
- Easton
- Naomi
- Ezekiel
- Ruby
- Colton
- Alice
- Cameron
- Elena
- Brayden
- Sarah
- Jordan
- Cora
- Angel
- Eva
- Dominic
- Madelyn
- Austin
- Delilah
- Ian
- Ariana
- Adam
- Rylee
- Elias
- Maria
- Jaxson
- Athena
- Greyson
- Isla
- Jose
- Jade
- Evan
- Valentina
- Carson
- Liliana
- Jason
- Raelynn
- Micah
- Brielle
- Miles
- Mary
- Robert
- Ivy
- Jameson
- Everly
- Nicholas
- Valerie
- Weston
- Reagan
- Luca
- Eliza
- Vincent
- Kaylee
- Bryson
- Charlie
- Axel
- Kinsley
- Everett
- Rose
- Parker
- Melody
- Kayden
- Jasmine
- Silas
- Juliette
- Beau
- Alexandra
- Declan
- Katherine
- Waylon
- Arya
- George
- Camila
- Rowan
- Faith
- Xavier
- Adeline
- Max
- Lyla
- Diego
- Mckenzie
- Kaiden
- Adalynn
- Maxwell
- Brooke
- Amir
- Journee
- Braxton
- Nicole
- Ryker
- Daniela
- Ivan
- Norah
- Kingston
- Tessa
- Jayce
- Alina
- Malachi
- Brooklynn
- Emmanuel
- Lauren
- Ryder
- Mya
- Grant
- Lola
- Carlos
- Alayna
- Maddox
- Rebecca
- Finley
- Amaya
- Rhett
- Jessica
- Gavin
- Lena
- Emmett
- Rachel
- Jay
- Miriam
- Zane
- Dakota
- Tucker
- Adriana
- Jude
- Angelina
- Karter
- June
- Ronin
- Phoebe
- Spencer
- Olive
- Knox
- Heidi
- Andre
- Diana
- Jasper
- Sage
- Tobias
- Lillie
- Colin
- Madeleine
- Shane
- Alana
- Kaden
- Cecilia
- Cody
- Emersyn
American Middle Names for Boys
- James
- Michael
- Alexander
- Joseph
- William
- John
- Robert
- Charles
- Andrew
- Scott
- Benjamin
- Matthew
- Anthony
- Christopher
- Samuel
- Elijah
- Logan
- Isaac
- Gabriel
- Joshua
- Nathan
- Christian
- Henry
- Lucas
- Jonathan
- Caleb
- Ethan
- Aaron
- Ryan
- Owen
- Jayden
- Adam
- Zachary
- Isaiah
- Liam
- Jack
- Noah
- Levi
- Tyler
- Carson
- Hunter
- Austin
- Blake
- Gavin
- Brayden
- Jaxon
- Luke
- Cooper
- Jordan
- Maxwell
- Miles
- Tristan
- Nolan
- Parker
- Chase
- Grayson
- Colton
- Jude
- Eli
- Asher
- Silas
- Declan
- Brody
- Wesley
- Hudson
- Xavier
- Cameron
- Vincent
- Tucker
- Jason
- Eric
- Joel
- Bryce
- Axel
- Kai
- Victor
- Grant
- Malcolm
- Carter
- Beau
- Rowan
- Jasper
- Ryder
- Zane
- Marcus
- Knox
- Elliot
- Patrick
- Garrett
- Shane
- Reid
- Trevor
- Collin
- Dylan
- Bennett
- Mitchell
- Ray
- Tobias
- Spencer
- Walker
- Clayton
- Dean
- Kenneth
- Paul
- Rhett
- Warren
- Ezekiel
- Dawson
- Finn
- Russell
- Troy
- Lane
- Dallas
- Brady
- Griffin
- Reed
- Quinn
- Douglas
- Marshall
- Sean
- Franklin
- Louis
- Phillip
- Brock
- Everett
- Harrison
- Bryan
- Ronald
- Matteo
- Jensen
- Sterling
- Porter
- Desmond
- Barrett
- Emmett
- Sullivan
- Leland
- Waylon
- Ace
- Aidan
- Derek
- Travis
- Allen
- Baylor
- Cohen
- Cruz
- Emerson
- Hayes
- Justice
- Kyler
- Lawson
- Leon
- Maddox
- Nash
- Orion
- Pierce
- Royce
- Saul
- Skyler
- Tate
- Wade
- Zander
- Anderson
- Benson
- Callum
- Dalton
- Edison
- Fletcher
- Gideon
- Harvey
- Irving
- Jericho
- Kane
- Langston
- Mason
- Nelson
- Otis
- Quentin
- Ronan
- Stetson
- Talon
- Ulric
- Vance
- Weston
- Zeke
- Arlo
- Bodhi
- Cassius
- Dante
- Ellis
- Forrest
- Gage
- Hugo
- Ivan
- Jalen
- Kieran
- Lance
- Magnus
- Niko
- Osiris
- Preston
- Rhys
- Sage
- Thaddeus
- Uriel
- Victor
- Winston
American Middle Names for Girls
- Grace
- Rose
- Marie
- Elizabeth
- Jane
- Lynn
- Ann
- Faith
- Nicole
- Hope
- Renee
- Mae
- Claire
- Kate
- Brooke
- Jade
- Joy
- Leigh
- Skye
- June
- Belle
- Ivy
- Paige
- Eve
- Reese
- Quinn
- Faye
- Noelle
- Rain
- Blair
- Elle
- Sage
- Pearl
- Winter
- Wren
- Dawn
- Isla
- Snow
- Blythe
- Fern
- True
- Lark
- Greer
- Love
- Shea
- Sunny
- Briar
- Lane
- Rayne
- Star
- Tess
- Blue
- Echo
- Dream
- Neve
- Luxe
- Sloane
- Opal
- Moon
- Haven
- Indie
- Luna
- Zoe
- Nova
- Mira
- Cleo
- Aura
- Juno
- Aria
- Lyra
- Gia
- Isis
- Veda
- Esme
- Lila
- Nell
- Nora
- Lena
- Mabel
- Ruby
- Hazel
- Clara
- Alice
- Edith
- Elsie
- Violet
- Iris
- Daisy
- Flora
- Olive
- Thea
- Alma
- Fleur
- Posy
- Ruth
- Bea
- Tilda
- Agnes
- Nina
- Cora
- Ida
- Gwen
- Mina
- Polly
- Macy
- Tessa
- Hallie
- Willa
- Piper
- Maggie
- Naya
- Remi
- Elise
- Addy
- Leona
- Sylvie
- Calla
- Gemma
- Zara
- Lilac
- Lacey
- Anya
- Celia
- Petal
- Meadow
- Lotus
- Trixie
- Birdie
- Maple
- Sunny
- Sparrow
- Lake
- Fawn
- Harper
- Willow
- Savannah
- Autumn
- Summer
- Scarlett
- Brook
- Serene
- Aspen
- Bay
- Marin
- Rory
- Ivory
- Delphine
- Camille
- Juliet
- Celeste
- Sienna
- Melody
- Aurora
- Naomi
- Lauren
- Holly
- Danielle
- Aubrey
- Madison
- Michelle
- Samantha
- Kendall
- Allison
- Caroline
- Hailey
- Vanessa
- Morgan
- Brogan
- Chanel
- Tatum
- Avery
- Kelsey
- Peyton
- Shelby
- Jordan
- Bailey
- Marley
- Riley
- Casey
- Rowan
- Kenzie
- Logan
- Lennon
- Teagan
- Monroe
- Ellery
- Sawyer
- Finley
- Darcy
- Greta
- Demi
- Clover
- Yara
- Keira
- Maren
- Indira
- Ashby
- Collins
- Adair
- Shiloh
- Lux
- Avalon
- Brinley
- Zella
- Carmen
- Mavis
- Tahlia
- Sutton
- Isolde
- Navy
- Ocean
American Middle Names for Baby
- James
- Grace
- Rose
- Michael
- Marie
- Elizabeth
- John
- Lynn
- Ann
- David
- Faith
- Joseph
- Jane
- Scott
- Nicole
- Hope
- Alexander
- Claire
- Renee
- Mae
- Thomas
- Kate
- Daniel
- Blake
- Jade
- Joy
- Paul
- Leigh
- Skye
- Mark
- June
- Alan
- Belle
- Ray
- Ivy
- Joel
- Paige
- Luke
- Eve
- Reese
- Chase
- Quinn
- Faye
- Brian
- Noelle
- Rain
- Blair
- Elle
- Sage
- Pearl
- Winter
- Wren
- Dawn
- Grant
- Isla
- Snow
- Blythe
- Fern
- True
- Lark
- Greer
- Love
- Shea
- Sunny
- Briar
- Lane
- Rayne
- Star
- Tess
- Blue
- Echo
- Dream
- Neve
- Luxe
- Sloane
- Opal
- Moon
- Haven
- Indie
- Luna
- Zoe
- Nova
- Mira
- Cleo
- Aura
- Juno
- Aria
- Lyra
- Gia
- Isis
- Veda
- Esme
- Lila
- Nell
- Nora
- Lena
- Mabel
- Ruby
- Hazel
- Clara
- Alice
- Edith
- Elsie
- Violet
- Iris
- Daisy
- Flora
- Olive
- Thea
- Alma
- Fleur
- Posy
- Ruth
- Bea
- Tilda
- Agnes
- Nina
- Cora
- Ida
- Gwen
- Mina
- Polly
- Macy
- Tessa
- Hallie
- Willa
- Piper
- Maggie
- Naya
- Remi
- Elise
- Addy
- Leona
- Sylvie
- Calla
- Gemma
- Zara
- Lilac
- Lacey
- Anya
- Celia
- Petal
- Meadow
- Lotus
- Trixie
- Birdie
- Maple
- Sparrow
- Lake
- Fawn
- Willow
- Savannah
- Autumn
- Summer
- Scarlett
- Brook
- Serene
- Aspen
- Bay
- Marin
- Rory
- Ivory
- Delphine
- Camille
- Juliet
- Celeste
- Sienna
- Melody
- Aurora
- Naomi
- Lauren
- Holly
- Danielle
- Aubrey
- Madison
- Michelle
- Samantha
- Kendall
- Allison
- Caroline
- Hailey
- Vanessa
- Morgan
- Chanel
- Tatum
- Avery
- Kelsey
- Peyton
- Shelby
- Jordan
- Bailey
- Marley
- Riley
- Casey
- Rowan
- Kenzie
- Logan
- Lennon
- Teagan
- Monroe
- Ellery
- Sawyer
- Finley
- Darcy
- Greta
- Demi
- Clover
- Yara
- Keira
- Maren
- Indira
- Ashby
- Collins
- Adair
- Shiloh
- Lux
- Avalon
- Brinley
- Zella
- Carmen
- Mavis
- Tahlia
- Sutton
- Isolde
- Navy
- Ocean
- Ember
- Lyric
- Journey
- Storm
- Harbor
- Valen
- Onyx
- Arrow
- Zephyr
- Cove
- Indigo
- Story
- Fox
- Drake
- Stone
- Wolf
- Crew
- Flint
- Ridge
- Breeze
- Knox
- Cairo
- Hale
- Phoenix
Read More: Italian Middle Names
American Middle Names for Aunt
- Marie
- Lynn
- Grace
- Ann
- Nicole
- Elizabeth
- Renee
- Michelle
- Lee
- Rose
- Jean
- Mae
- Joy
- Elaine
- Claire
- Hope
- Dawn
- Jane
- Faith
- June
- Faye
- Louise
- Sue
- Irene
- Gail
- Carol
- Jo
- Ruth
- Kay
- Ela
- Pearl
- Kate
- Leigh
- Belle
- Noelle
- Skye
- Eve
- Blair
- Reese
- Jade
- Brooke
- Lara
- Tess
- Shea
- Sage
- Lark
- Blythe
- Snow
- Moon
- Ivy
- Wren
- Fern
- Sunny
- Paige
- Love
- Blue
- Demi
- Star
- Echo
- Neve
- Winter
- Rayne
- Lane
- Rain
- True
- Dream
- Greer
- Sunny
- Lake
- Bay
- Maple
- Cleo
- Lola
- Nina
- Mara
- Cora
- Violet
- Hazel
- Ruby
- Daisy
- Lily
- Flora
- Iris
- Willow
- Autumn
- Summer
- Spring
- Camille
- Juliet
- Sienna
- Melody
- Aurora
- Naomi
- Lauren
- Danielle
- Samantha
- Hailey
- Allison
- Caroline
- Vanessa
- Morgan
- Tatum
- Avery
- Kelsey
- Shelby
- Jordan
- Bailey
- Marley
- Riley
- Casey
- Rowan
- Kenzie
- Logan
- Teagan
- Monroe
- Ellery
- Sawyer
- Finley
- Darcy
- Greta
- Yara
- Keira
- Maren
- Collins
- Shiloh
- Lux
- Brinley
- Zella
- Carmen
- Tahlia
- Sutton
- Navy
- Ocean
- Ember
- Lyric
- Journey
- Valen
- Onyx
- Story
- Harbor
- Phoenix
- Harmony
- Isla
- Elise
- Nell
- Tilda
- Alma
- Celia
- Nora
- Lena
- Ida
- Gwen
- Bea
- Mina
- Willa
- Remi
- Sylvie
- Lilac
- Calla
- Gemma
- Anya
- Petal
- Meadow
- Lotus
- Birdie
- Fawn
- Ivory
- Delphine
- Celeste
- Briar
- Mabel
- Lacey
- Hallie
- Addy
- Zara
- Lila
- Aura
- Juno
- Lyra
- Gia
- Esme
- Veda
- Aria
- Nova
- Mira
- Zoe
- Indie
- Isis
- Opal
- Sloane
- Echo
- Breeze
- Arrow
- Zephyr
- Cove
- Indigo
- Fox
- Drake
- Stone
- Wolf
- Ridge
- Knox
- Cairo
- Hale
- Ash
- Coral
- Sunny
- Marin
- Tara
- Stella
- Glory
- Honor
- Charity
- Bliss
- Unity
- Clarity
- Chanel
- Lacy
- Tinsley
- Ever
- Bright
- Serene
- Poet
- Golden
- Verity
- Promise
- Amity
- Marvel
- Treasure
- Heaven
- Liberty
- Breeze
- Journey
- Skylin
- Infinity
- Novae
- Celest
- Truly
Cool American Middle Names
- Jett
- Knox
- Blaze
- Ryder
- Phoenix
- Zane
- Axel
- Dash
- Maverick
- Ace
- Crew
- Wolf
- Fox
- King
- Storm
- Talon
- Stone
- Slade
- Rogue
- Brock
- Colt
- Hawk
- Drake
- Jax
- Ranger
- Cruz
- Jetson
- Thorne
- Rocky
- Flint
- Gunner
- Arrow
- Orion
- Ryker
- Griffin
- Wilder
- Trek
- Onyx
- Zion
- Legend
- Rocco
- Zephyr
- Blade
- Titan
- Cash
- Diesel
- Cannon
- Justice
- Gage
- Hunter
- Lex
- Bridger
- Neo
- Boone
- Ford
- Rhett
- Mack
- Jagger
- Scout
- Archer
- Dashiel
- Banks
- Reign
- Steel
- Atlas
- Quest
- Blaise
- Knoll
- Valor
- Hendrix
- Lazer
- Knight
- Tucker
- West
- Ridge
- Pilot
- Indigo
- Rebel
- Ocean
- Flare
- Frost
- Major
- Raider
- Vaughn
- Echo
- Vance
- Cosmo
- Rocket
- Nash
- Brooks
- Zeke
- Lake
- Denim
- Dagger
- Grey
- Stryker
- Vail
- Tru
- Ghost
- Brave
- Arrow
- Halo
- Flare
- Zen
- Easton
- Everest
- North
- Thorne
- Cairo
- Kash
- Rio
- Slate
- Axen
- Bodhi
- Duke
- Haze
- Stormer
- Cove
- Elio
- Riot
- Fenix
- Rowdy
- Moss
- Montana
- Canyon
- Knighton
- Thor
- Halo
- Valor
- Pax
- Legacy
- Mylo
- Shadow
- Quest
- Ransom
- Lyric
- Jules
- Indy
- Zeppelin
- Diesel
- Stormy
- Haven
- Skye
- Hawk
- Draco
- Galaxy
- Reign
- Oak
- Sage
- Indie
- Nova
- Echo
- True
- Winter
- Aspen
- Fable
- Lyra
- Rain
- Poet
- Zuri
- Seren
- Blue
- Bliss
- Dove
- Lumen
- Ciel
- Dream
- Wren
- Snow
- Star
- Ember
- Aria
- Sky
- Breeze
- Meadow
- Sol
- Clove
- Maple
- Sparrow
- River
- Lake
- Bay
- Shiloh
- Storm
- Rayne
- Willow
- Aster
- Lotus
- Vesper
- Lark
- Ivory
- Aura
- Moon
- Soleil
- Ocean
- Coral
- Juno
- Fawn
- Galaxy
- Prairie
- Rainy
- Tempest
- Marvel
- Sunny
- Brook
- Zeal
- Glow
- Petal
- Hollow
- Twilight
- Sunrise
- Cypress
- Flora
- Basil
- Thistle
- Wild
- Lazuli
Other American Middle Names
- James
- Grace
- Michael
- Rose
- Elizabeth
- Marie
- John
- Lynn
- Ann
- David
- Claire
- Nicole
- Hope
- Joseph
- Faith
- Jane
- Scott
- Renee
- Mae
- Thomas
- Kate
- Daniel
- Blake
- Jade
- Joy
- Paul
- Leigh
- Skye
- Mark
- June
- Alan
- Belle
- Ray
- Ivy
- Joel
- Paige
- Luke
- Eve
- Reese
- Chase
- Quinn
- Faye
- Brian
- Noelle
- Rain
- Blair
- Elle
- Sage
- Pearl
- Winter
- Wren
- Dawn
- Grant
- Isla
- Snow
- Blythe
- Fern
- True
- Lark
- Greer
- Love
- Shea
- Sunny
- Briar
- Lane
- Rayne
- Star
- Tess
- Blue
- Echo
- Dream
- Neve
- Luxe
- Sloane
- Opal
- Moon
- Haven
- Indie
- Luna
- Zoe
- Nova
- Mira
- Cleo
- Aura
- Juno
- Aria
- Lyra
- Gia
- Isis
- Veda
- Esme
- Lila
- Nell
- Nora
- Lena
- Mabel
- Ruby
- Hazel
- Clara
- Alice
- Edith
- Elsie
- Violet
- Iris
- Daisy
- Flora
- Olive
- Thea
- Alma
- Fleur
- Posy
- Ruth
- Bea
- Tilda
- Agnes
- Nina
- Cora
- Ida
- Gwen
- Mina
- Polly
- Macy
- Tessa
- Hallie
- Willa
- Piper
- Maggie
- Naya
- Remi
- Elise
- Addy
- Leona
- Sylvie
- Calla
- Gemma
- Zara
- Lilac
- Lacey
- Anya
- Celia
- Petal
- Meadow
- Lotus
- Trixie
- Birdie
- Maple
- Sparrow
- Lake
- Fawn
- Willow
- Savannah
- Autumn
- Summer
- Scarlett
- Brook
- Serene
- Aspen
- Bay
- Marin
- Rory
- Ivory
- Delphine
- Camille
- Juliet
- Celeste
- Sienna
- Melody
- Aurora
- Naomi
- Lauren
- Holly
- Danielle
- Aubrey
- Madison
- Michelle
- Samantha
- Kendall
- Allison
- Caroline
- Hailey
- Vanessa
- Morgan
- Chanel
- Tatum
- Avery
- Kelsey
- Peyton
- Shelby
- Jordan
- Bailey
- Marley
- Riley
- Casey
- Rowan
- Kenzie
- Logan
- Lennon
- Teagan
- Monroe
- Ellery
- Sawyer
- Finley
- Darcy
- Greta
- Demi
- Clover
- Yara
- Keira
- Maren
- Indira
- Ashby
- Collins
- Adair
- Shiloh
- Lux
- Avalon
- Brinley
- Zella
- Carmen
- Mavis
- Tahlia
- Sutton
- Isolde
- Navy
- Ocean
- Ember
- Lyric
- Journey
- Storm
- Harbor
- Valen
- Onyx
- Arrow
- Zephyr
- Cove
- Indigo
- Story
- Fox
- Drake
- Stone
- Wolf
- Crew
- Flint
- Ridge
- Breeze
- Knox
- Cairo
- Hale
- Phoenix
- Novae
- Amity
- Honor
- Verity
- Treasure
- Clarity
- Fable
- Sol
- Wynn
- Poet
- Echoe
- Halo
- Rainy
- Lumen
- Twila
- Cyra
- Vesper
- Jewel
- Sunny
- Marvel
- Starla
- Glory
- Truly
- Sunset
Read More: Spanish Middle Names
FAQs
What is a middle name in American culture?
A middle name in American culture is a secondary name placed between a person’s first and last name. It often holds personal, familial, or cultural significance.
Are middle names legally required in the United States?
No, middle names are not legally required in the U.S. It’s completely optional to have one.
Why do Americans give middle names?
Middle names are often given to honor family members, continue traditions, enhance the sound of a full name, or add personal meaning.
Can someone have more than one middle name?
Yes, it’s possible to have two or more middle names, though it’s more common to have just one.
Do middle names have to come from family?
Not at all. While many parents choose family names, others pick middle names based on meaning, sound, or uniqueness.
Conclusion
Choosing the right middle name is a meaningful part of naming your child. Whether you’re inspired by tradition, family ties, or simply love how a name sounds, American middle names offer a wide variety of beautiful and unique options. Take your time, explore different choices, and find the perfect middle name that fits your child’s identity and story.