Middle Names for Boys (with Meanings and Popularity)

This cosmological name has a zippy feel that might work well for the galactic parent looking for the perfect name for their own little star.

Nobility names like Duke and Count seem to be forming a minitrend: actor Danny Bonaduce named his son Count Dante Jean-Michel Valentino. Beat that. Or wait: don't.

No longer a one-person name, as a number of parents have been inspired by basketball great Shaquille O'Neal to adopt it for their own future athletes.

Like Justice and Peace, this word name makes a very strong statement. Ving Rhames chose it for his boy.

Doctor is an honorific used as a name, somewhat like names such as Bishop, King, and Princess. Banned in New Zealand, Doctor can lead to the kind of confusion you may feel would be only positive for your child -- a bona fide Doctor before he even gets to kindergarten. At its zenith in 1884, Doctor was used for 12 boys, but last year it didn't even clear the five-baby minimum to make it onto the Social Security extended list.

Unisex variation of Jazz or Jasper that couldn't say it more plainly. Used for their daughter by tennis couple Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi.

Brother for Heaven or Nevaeh.

Adventurous word choice, but still quite a burden for a child to bear.

A brisk and unconventional name that could be a style stand-in for confederates Casey, Chase, Cale, and Cade.

Winner is an uplifting word name that can work for girls or boys. It was recently chosen by rapper Nya Lee for her daughter.

Trey or Trip or even Deuce, yes; Deux is tougher.

This British river name sounds sleek and strong but perhaps a bit too energetic.

A grassy place with trees is a nice image to attach to a name.

Peerless Price may be a football great, but his name would exert undue pressure. Substitute idea: Peer.

A video-game name ("Final Fantasy VII") with an unappealing sound and meaning.

Hippie name with a sweet meaning. While theoretically gender-neutral, Harmony was given to nearly 1400 baby girls last year....and zero boys.

This name has two possible derivations - in Turkish it means hero, in English it is used as a reference to mountains. Either offer a soaring option for a little boy.

A shimmering day name, with a bit of hippie residue.

Spicy but insubstantial nickname name.

Forget Patience and Charity: Here's a Colonial name (and sentiment) that seems perfect for modern times.