One-Syllable Middle Names for Girls

  1. Ames
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "friend"
    • Description:

      Ames is that jewel of a name that's simple and familiar while at the same time being unusual and rare. With gender neutral surname names ending in S trending today -- think Brooks, Wells, Oakes -- Ames can make a perfect update on Amy or Amanda.
  2. Poe
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "peacock"
    • Description:

      Hip new middle-name choice, conjuring up the gothic tales of Edgar Allan, and current single-named pop singer Poe.
  3. Zen
    • Origin:

      Japanese, form of Buddhism
    • Description:

      Parents searching for a simple, peaceful name may be attracted to this one.
  4. Beck
    • Origin:

      Short form of Rebecca or English
    • Meaning:

      "one living beside a small stream"
    • Description:

      Although the single-named singer is male, this might be a girl's nickname name or a sleek nature name that's perfect in the middle.
  5. Reeve
    • Origin:

      English occupational name
    • Meaning:

      "bailiff"
    • Description:

      Chosen by aviators Charles and Anne Lindbergh for their daughter, Reeve is another single-syllable surname waiting to be borrowed by the girls.
  6. Tai
    • Origin:

      Chinese
    • Meaning:

      "great extreme"
    • Description:

      Skater Tai Babilonia brought this sleek modern name to the world's attention. Pronounced "tie."
  7. Trix
    • Origin:

      Short form of Beatrix, Latin
    • Meaning:

      "she who brings happiness; blessed"
    • Description:

      Before Beatrice there was Beatrix, which leads naturally to the short form Trix. Trixie is a wise-cracking gum-snapping waitress but Trix is sleek and mischievous -- tricks, get it?
  8. Bird
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      We once dismissed Bird as "too flighty", but with the rise of avian names from Lark to Robin to, well, Birdie, we don't see why Bird can't be a fine choice, especially as a middle name.
  9. North
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      North's image and gender status was irrevocably changed when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West announced it as the name of their newborn daughter. But why not? West is firmly established as a name, Easton is coming up strong, and North has a nice solid sound as well -- certainly as appropriate for either gender. South, though, not so much.
  10. Air
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      This nature name hasn't escaped the hippie dippy air of others like River or Sky.
  11. Firth
    • Origin:

      Scottish nature name
    • Meaning:

      "estuary or arm of the sea"
    • Description:

      Highly unusual water name -- and actor Colin surname -- with a Scottish burr. Firth derives from the Old Norse word fjord.
  12. Ceil
    • Origin:

      Short form of Cecilia or Celia
    • Meaning:

      "blind or heavenly"
    • Description:

      With the growing popularity of Celia and Cecilia, this vintage canasta-playing nickname name could be due for a comeback.
  13. West
    • Origin:

      Word name
    • Description:

      Straightforward yet romantic, this is one newly minted name with long-term appeal, especially as a middle name. It was used as such for Tea Leoni and David Duchovny's Madelaine, whom they call West. Definitely ambigender, it was chosen by Marley Shelton for her daughter.
  14. Frost
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "freezing"
    • Description:

      Frost is a name parents are beginning to warm to, appreciating its icy simplicity and connection with the venerable poet Robert. Frost, along with Winter, Snow, and January, are also perfect names for winter babies.
  15. Tree
    • Origin:

      Nature name
    • Description:

      Tree is an ultimate nature name, made famous by longtime Taylor Swift publicist Tree Paine, born Trina Snyder.
  16. March
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "month name"
    • Description:

      March has never been popular as a month name, possibly because of its slightly abrupt sound. But with all kinds of month (and season, day, and holiday) names, from January to December, Sunday to Easter, Winter to Midnight, coming to the fore, March is beginning to seem eminently baby-ready.
  17. Cruise
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "cross"
    • Description:

      Cool, cruising choice for either sex.
  18. Gem
    • Brave
      • Origin:

        English word name
      • Meaning:

        "showing courage"
      • Description:

        A striking word name for either gender. It's a safer choice when used as a middle name.
    • Peg
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Margaret, Greek
      • Meaning:

        "pearl"
      • Description:

        Peg is a nostalgic turn-of-the-last-century nickname, sociable but slight. Like near-identical twin Peggy, Peg is in mothballs.