Middle Names, Surnames, and Nicknames
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 46 pages
of 46
Latin word name
"a medieval chemical science"
One of the most extreme of the new word names, recommended only to the most mystical-minded parents. Actor Lance Henriksen spelled his daughter's name Alchamy.
Word name
Undoubtedly there's a parent out there who sees this as the ultimate cool name. It's anything but.
This nature name hasn't escaped the hippie dippy air of others like River or Sky.
Sympathetic new twist on a Puritan virtue name.
Greek word name
A mathematical possibility, but the odds are against it.
Snowdrop is a delicate nature-inspired feminine name derived from the early-blooming white flower that often emerges while snow still covers the ground. This botanical name symbolizes hope, purity,…
English word name
"kept from knowledge or view"
Mysterious. In 2016, 13 baby girls in the United States were given this unusual word name -- at least according to the Social Security Administration. We can't help but suspect that some of those…
Greek
"kingfisher bird"
This highly unusual name -- the Halycyone was a mythic bird who could calm the seas -- conjures up images of utter peace and tranquility because of the phrase "Halycon days"...and the sleeping pill.
"an optical instrument used to capture and store images or videos"
The late tennis great Arthur Ashe (whose wife was a photographer) pioneered word names when he used this for his daughter. It would make an interesting first or middle name possibility for parents…
English from Greek
"leaf"
Petal is the soft and sweet-smelling name of a character in the novel and film, The Shipping News . With the rise of such flower names as Poppy and Posy, we believe Petal — down-to-earth yet romantic…
A name that shows up on the Social Security roles of a hundred years ago. Let's hope it was a never-to-be-repeated mistake.
Nature name
Worthy sibling for Oak, Elm, Juniper, and Spruce.
Irish
"cloud"
An Irish classic for boys that has a streamlined, surnamey, unisex appeal in this spelling.
Greek mythology name
Remember, the Muse is passive: someone else's inspiration.
French
"violet-colored"
Mauve is an offbeat color name whose soft and sentimental Victorian spirit is conveyed by the name. One of the newer color names like Blue, Gray and Plum that are increasingly being used as novel…
Diminutive of Lillian and Lily, flower name
"lily"
Spunky old vaudeville era nickname name suddenly sounds new again.
"a soothing song or piece of music that is usually played for children"
This unusual word name means a song sung to put infants to sleep, from the components lull as in calm and by as in goodbye. While it's not on record as being used for any actual babies in the US,…
English, diminutive of Jasmine or Jasper
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.
"grove of trees"
Fresh, evocative choice.
Color and nature name
"dove, a bird"
Subtle but clear unisex way to signal peace, especially in middle place.
