Middle Names
- Amoret
Origin:
Literary nameDescription:
This lovely name from Spenser's The Faerie Queene is borne by a character who represents married love. A related unusual-yet-usable choice: Amabel.
- Betrys
Description:
Betrys is a feminine name with Welsh origins, representing a Celtic variant of Beatrice. The traditional name Beatrice comes from Latin 'Beatrix,' meaning 'she who brings happiness' or 'blessed.' This Welsh adaptation maintains the beautiful meaning while incorporating distinctive Celtic phonetics. Betrys has remained quite rare, even within Wales, giving it an air of uniqueness and historical charm. The name carries medieval echoes while still feeling accessible to modern ears. Despite its ancient roots, Betrys has never achieved widespread popularity, making it an excellent choice for parents seeking a name with authentic Welsh heritage and uncommon status. The distinctive spelling offers a fresh alternative to more familiar forms like Beatrice or Beatrix while maintaining the connection to its rich etymological meaning of joy and blessedness.
- Bette
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethDescription:
Pronounced a la Bette (Betty) Davis or Bette (Bet) Midler, a twentieth-century relic. Though if the equally vintage Betty comes back, Bette may be close behind.
- Betty
Origin:
Diminutive of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Combine the popularity of Betty White and Mad Men's glamorous Betty Draper Francis, with the residual sweetness of Ugly Betty's Betty Suarez, and the result is an impending return of the name. It's got presidential cred via Betty Ford and feminist history through Betty Friedan.
- Betony
- Ela
Origin:
TurkishMeaning:
"terebinth tree"Description:
A sweet, simple mini-name that fits into many cultures. The only drawback is the potential for confusion with Ella, Ayla, and other similar names.
- Elise
Origin:
French variation of ElizabethMeaning:
"pledged to God"Description:
Elise is one of those golden names that stylish but not TOO popular. Its appeal is due in large part to its French flair and to the love for El-names in general.
- Liberty
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Less common than other virtue names, Liberty is nonetheless a name with a long American heritage.
- Louis
Origin:
German and FrenchMeaning:
"renowned warrior"Description:
Kate and William shocked the world when they announced that they'd named their third child Louis -- Prince Louis Arthur Charles, to be more precise. But we've been predicting a comeback for this classic name for a long time.
- Lucette
Origin:
French diminutive of LucyMeaning:
"little light"Description:
Popular in the 1930s in France, this is a diminutive of Lucy (or Lucie).
- Lucien
Origin:
French form of LucianMeaning:
"light"Description:
Sophisticated Gallic version of Lucian, Lucien may appeal to parents attracted to this meaning over that of Lucas and Luke, which have a different root, and also looking for a more unusual choice.
- Lucienne
Origin:
French feminine variation of LucianMeaning:
"light"Description:
Lucienne is a soft and ultra-sophisticated French-accented option in the Lucy family, one that could provide a fresh alternative to such fatigued Gallic choices as Danielle and Michelle.
- Lucy
Origin:
English variation of Lucia, LatinMeaning:
"light"Description:
A versatile classic, Lucy is both sweet and solid, a saint's name, and the heroine of several great novels. First fashionable in England and Wales, Lucy is now a popular choice in the US, The Netherlands, and New Zealand.
- Lumi
Origin:
FinnishMeaning:
"snow"Description:
Lumi may be a rare girls' name in the USA and England, but it comes in the Top 50 in Finland, where it means snow. Given the popularity of Winter, Holly, Ivy and many other wintery-christmassy names, we think that short and spunky Lumi definitely has potential for greater usage outside its home country as one of the more unusual names for Christmas babies.
- Luna
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"moon"Description:
The name of the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna is derived straight from the Latin word for moon, luna. Luna may be the name most likely to surprise someone from an older generation by its Top 10 status in the US and its widespread international popularity.
- Lys
Description:
Lys is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In French, it derives from 'fleur-de-lis' meaning 'lily,' a flower symbolizing purity and the French monarchy. In Welsh and Scandinavian contexts, Lys relates to 'light' or 'brightness.' This concise, single-syllable name carries an elegant simplicity while retaining deep symbolic connections. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, Lys has maintained steady usage in France, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The name's brevity makes it distinctive in an era of longer feminine names, while its cross-cultural roots give it versatility. For parents seeking minimalist naming choices with historical depth and natural symbolism, Lys offers a refined yet understated option.
- Niamh
Origin:
Irish GaelicMeaning:
"bright"Description:
Niamh, derived from the Old Irish Niam, is an ancient Irish name that was originally a term for a goddess. In Irish myth, one who bore it was Niamh of the Golden Hair, daughter of the sea god, who falls in love with Finn's son Oisin and takes him to the Land of Promise, where they stayed for three hundred years. Niamh can be Anglicized as Neve, Nieve, or Neave.
- Robert
Origin:
English from GermanMeaning:
"bright fame"Description:
Robert was the Number 1 boys' name in the US in both 1925 and 1950, and in fact was in the Top 25 for more than a century, giving it true classic status. Strong if not quite stylish, Robert remains in the Top 100 for baby boys as a family favorite.
- Wyn
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"fair, blessed"Description:
Extremely popular in Wales, where it began as a nickname for someone with fair hair or a fair face, this bright and simple name is a winner by its very nature. Can also be spelled Wynn, Winn or the very literal Win.
- Wybert