Unusual Middle Names for Girls

Unique Alternatives to Trendy Name Choices

© Naomi Rockler-Gladen

Apr 14, 2008
Little Girls, Dawn, Morguefile.com
How do you choose a middle name for a baby girl that hasn't been used by every parent on the block? Here are some ideas for finding an unusual middle name.

Looking for a middle name for your little girl that isn't too trendy or popular? Like first names, middle names go through trends-- although middle name trends often last longer than first name trends. During the Baby Boom years, the trendiest middle names were Lynn, Ann, Marie, and Sue. These days, parents of little girls are commonly choosing Rose, Grace, Faith, Brooke, Nicole, Ashley, and Elizabeth.

So how do you choose a middle name for a baby girl that everyone else doesn't already have? Here are some ideas.

Alternatives to Trendy Middle Names

People choose trendy middle names because they sound nice, so there's a good chance that common middle names sound nice to you as well. If you like these names but want something less trendy, look for names that sound similar but aren't used as often. Here are some ideas.

  • If you like Rose, try Ruth, Rae, Rosa, Rosalyn, Rostia, Rosalie, Rachel, or Rebecca
  • If you like Grace, try Greer, Gwen, Gracie, Gracelyn, Greta, Gretchen, or Gabrielle
  • If you like Faith, try Fay, Frances, Fiona, Fallon, Hope, or Joy
  • If you like Brooke, try Bella, Belle, Brenn, Brenda, Bonnie, Bridget, Bryce, or Bailey
  • If you like Nicole, try Nicolette, Nikita, Noelle, Noel, Nadine, or Noreen
  • If you like Ashley, try Asha, Ainsley, Amy, Ariel, April, Anastasia, Anya, Brittany, or Courtney
  • If you like Elizabeth, try Elena, Elaine, Estelle, Esther, Eliza, Elspeth, Erika, or Erin

Sources for Unique & Sentimental Middle Names

Are you looking for a unique middle name that has sentimental value for you and your spouse? Because middle names aren't used much in everyday life, parents can be more creative or even weird when it comes to choosing this name. Here are ideas for finding middle names that have special meaning to you.

  • The name of a deceased or elderly family member. Go back a few generations, and you'll find lots of names that aren't used anymore.
  • A family last name, including a maiden name. Since last-name-turned-first-names are in vogue (like Tyler, Mason, Davis, and Dayton), this kind of middle name won't sound out of place.
  • A significant place, such as a birthplace, the place where you met your spouse, or a place where you travelled together and fell in love.
  • The name of a street or landmark that has significance in your life.
  • The name of your college or university.
  • The name of a character in a book, movie, or TV show that you love.
  • The name of a beloved pet.

Heritage Middle Names

Another good way to find unique middle names is to turn to your culture. You may not want to give your child a first name that sounds foreign (although many parents do this), but the middle name slot may be a great place to honor your heritage. You might choose:

  • A name that's common in the culture where your come from
  • The name of the place your family came from
  • A word from the language in your culture has a special meaning
  • The name of a relative

Best of luck in choosing a middle name for your little one!

See also:

Popular Middle Names for Girls


The copyright of the article Unusual Middle Names for Girls in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Naomi Rockler-Gladen. Permission to republish Unusual Middle Names for Girls in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Little Girls, Dawn, Morguefile.com
       


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Comments
Apr 22, 2009 5:25 PM
Guest :
My middle name is Ashley- i've never met anyone with it! Sarah Ashley-- i love it, don't you? : ] don't take my name, though! gosh!
Apr 29, 2009 7:31 AM
Guest :
My daughters middle name is Raine. Eternity Raine.
Apr 30, 2009 5:58 PM
Guest :
Whoa thats kinda cool. My middle name is like your daughters, except its spelled differently. Mine in Rayne instead of Raine. I've never heard of anyone else having the same middle name as me,but now i have :)
May 17, 2009 9:05 PM
Guest :
My Middle Name is Danielle.
Jun 5, 2009 11:27 AM
Guest :
My middle name is Nakia...Kimberly Nakia
Jun 8, 2009 9:41 AM
Guest :
My middle name is Word...not even kidding you...Word...its a family name so PLEASE don't take it!!!
Jun 12, 2009 6:58 AM
Guest :
i'm pregnant and nameing my daughter Gracelyn, but am having the most problems finding a middle name, right now I'm thinking Gracelyn Rae, but want something different, thinking maybe eli, claire, or faith? aint sure, my middle name is jo, ( Jesekah Jo)
Jun 25, 2009 11:14 AM
Guest :
Dont tell people your name if you dont want them to "take" it.. By posting your name your offering advice...
Jun 28, 2009 9:32 AM
Guest :
My Middle name is Robin lee.
I plan change first name to Robin lee legally soon...
Because I'm not fond of my first name now.
So I need ideas for my "new" middle name.
Jun 29, 2009 6:54 AM
Guest :
My twin girls names are Maisie Rea and Molly Fea
Jul 10, 2009 7:07 AM
Guest :
My middle name is Priscilla, Jasmine Priscilla. I like it but It doesn't pop out to me. Maybe because it's my name and I'm use to it..lol idk
Jul 11, 2009 12:18 AM
Guest :
my middle name kay....arielle kay
Jul 12, 2009 2:49 PM
Guest :
well lucky me, my middle name is Mari-antoinette Manorholt Stuart making my full name Tierney Mari-antoinette Manorholt Stuart Walker...long winded or what feel free to steal one lol
Jul 13, 2009 7:21 PM
Guest :
My middle name is laurette....not that great but i like my first name: Malenka. Nobody else has it.
14 Comments