Middle Names, Surnames, and Nicknames
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 46 pages
of 46
Word name
Beware: Flame is the kind of name used by women named Fran when engaging in endeavors they'd just as soon their parents weren't aware of.
English word name
"a group operated under unified control"
Fleet is one of the uncountable number of new word name possibilities, and a particularly cool choice at that. Connoting speed, Fleet beats Rush any day. Might be short for Fleetwood, but we prefer…
French, English
"strong; a protected building, a stronghold"
A saints name and a word name, this is a modern, original way to convey a powerful meaning, especially in the middle place.
"courage during adversity"
Fortitude is the kind of virtue name the Puritans favored that could feel rather heavy for a modern boy. Nevertheless, with options such as Sincere, Chosen, Messiah, and Valor on the rise, perhaps in…
"free"
A sixties-style name that might work best as a middle.
Spicy but insubstantial nickname name.
"child-like"
Childish Gambino is the musical alter-ego of writer/producer Donald Glover, creator of the television show Atlanta . Glover got the name Childish Gambino from an online name generator.
English word name or variation of Chanel, French
"dweller near the canal"
Did you really mean to name your child Channel, as in the body of water? Like, you know, the English Channel? Or were you going for the last name of the French designer Chanel, with a soft "sh" sound…
Surname, place name, word name
Actor French Stewart introduced this one to the lexicon. French is part word name, part place name, and part surname-name, reminiscent of celebrity baby names that reference a nationality rather than…
Sociable middle name choice with a Quaker feel.
French word name
"fabric with white weft and colored warp"
Derived from French, Chambray is the name of a smooth, light, colored fabric, interwoven with white thread. It took its name from its place of origin, Cambrai (originally Cambray) in the north of…
Gives the message that you want your daughter to keep her eye on the prize.
If Viola is a credible girl's name, why not the mellow Cello for a boy.
Gambit means ploy or trick, which makes it an appropriate name for a little player. Eight boys were named Gambit in the US in one recent year.
Garland is fragrant and celebratory, and also has a celebrity-tribute tie to the star of The Wizard of Oz .
Word name, English from Tupi
"pepper"
Spicy.
Full-hearted new virtue choice, though five syllables is a lot to handle.
"waterfall"
A nature name evocative of rushing waterfalls and flowing water, with a plausible, name-y sound thanks to it similarity to Cassie, Cassidy, and Cade.
The lead character of the Captain America movies, played by Chris Evans, is occasionally called Cap, short for "captain," but even he has a real name. (Steve Rogers, ICYC)
Glimmer is shimmery but a little too showy, as is Glitter, a character on a TV sitcom-- while Glimmer appears in The Hunger Games .
