Composer names

Amadeus

Latin

"lover of God"

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's middle name could make an interesting pick for music-loving parents, most easily in the middle place, ala Mozart. But today's more wide-ranging naming sensibility and love…

Claude

French from Latin

"lame; enclosure"

Claude is a soft-spoken French name that conjures up the pastel colors of Monet and harmonies of Debussy. In France, it is used for girls as well, in fact in the Tracy Chevalier novel Lady and the…

Gustav

Teutonic

"staff of the Goths"

Gray-bearded name heard primarily in Sweden and Germany.

Franz

German variation of Francis, Latin

"Frenchman or free man"

Franz is the German equivalent to Francis, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a Franz outside of countries with Germanic origins. In America the name is often associated with celebrated author Franz…

Haydn

German

"heathen"

Some music-minded parents might consider this especially as a middle name, to honor the great Austrian composer.

Igor

Old Norse via Russian

"warrior"

Musical association with Igor Stravinsky, but also Dr. Frankenstein's right-hand man.

Ludwig

German

"famous warrior"

As heavy as a marble bust of Beethoven.

Lalo

Lalo is a warm, friendly masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Spanish-speaking communities, it often serves as a diminutive for Eduardo (Edward) or Gonzalo. The name also appears in…

Wagner

German occupational name

"wagon maker"

Whether pronounced like the wag of a tail or as the correct German VAHG-ner, this might be something a devoted opera buff could consider as a middle name.

Edvard

Edvard is a masculine name of Scandinavian and Eastern European origin, representing a variant of Edward. The name combines the Old English elements 'ead' meaning 'wealth' or 'fortune' and 'weard'…

Sergei

Russian variation of Sergius

Common Russian name of one of that country's most beloved saints, known for his kindness and gentility.

Vaughan

Welsh

"small"

This familiar but never popular Welsh surname name might be a good Sean alternative-- and we're starting to hear some berrybuzz about it. Vaughn is an alternate spelling. There have been three major…

Purcell

Purcell is a masculine name derived from an English and Irish surname with Norman French origins. The surname comes from 'porcel' meaning 'little pig' or 'piglet,' possibly originating as a nickname…

Bach

German

"dweller near the brook"

Although there are plenty of Bachs in the world besides Johann Sebastian, everyone will assume you're honoring the great composer -- and why not.