Respondents: 58 (This poll is closed)
I would definitely use an offbeat mn! [name]David[/name] [name]Bear[/name] is awesome! I think most little boys would love that name. I think any of the names you listed would be fine in the middle. [name]Just[/name] as long as it isn’t a girly name 
Yes, I definitely think that anything goes in the middle as long as it isn’t offensive or demeaning or somehow hurtful to the child. I think that people often fail to take advantage of the middle spot. I’m always confused when I see children with crazy, ill-advised first names and filler middle names like “[name]Marie[/name]” or “[name]James[/name].”
It is absolutely okay to be whimsical with [name]David[/name]'s middle name! Such a handsome, solid classic as [name]David[/name] deserves a bit of spice.
I’m loving [name]David[/name] [name]Bear[/name], [name]David[/name] [name]Sherlock[/name], and [name]David[/name] [name]Amadeo[/name].
I think whimsical middle names can be delightful. Like you said, bullying happens no matter what. My elementary school days were horrible, and it had nothing to do with my name. I do think it’s an easier out for people to make fun of, but if they really want to pick on someone it doesn’t matter what the name is. I love the idea of a literary name reference. Though I do think [name]Sherlock[/name] would possibly get a little more ribbing than other choices, especially after his peers were old enough to learn the “No s—, [name]Sherlock[/name]” phrase. 
Based on either literary characters or authors I’d like:
[name]David[/name] [name]Atticus[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Brom[/name]/[name]Bromley[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Darcy[/name] (depending on how you feel about alliteration)
[name]David[/name] [name]Dorian[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Gulliver[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Heathcliff[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Huckleberry[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Lemuel[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Macon[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Rhett[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Sawyer[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Alcott[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Beckett[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Dante[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Emerson[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Kerouac[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Keats[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Hugo[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Hemingway[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Frost[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Neruda[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Plato[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Poe[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Salinger[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Tennyson[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Thackeray[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Twain[/name]
[name]David[/name] Stoker
[name]David[/name] [name]Lancelot[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Watson[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Ripley[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Chaucer[/name]
[name]David[/name] Wilde
[name]David[/name] [name]Cyrano[/name]
[name]David[/name] [name]Hamlet[/name]
[name]David[/name] Legolas
[name]Bear[/name] would be very cute. I also like [name]Hamish[/name], [name]Aengus[/name], [name]Phineas[/name], & Cleverly.
Middle names are no holds barred. Most berries put a lot of thought into the perfect middle name but I don’t see the point in stressing over it. They’re pretty unimportant actually. How often do we actually use them? Most official documents only require an initial, that is if you even have a mn. How many people (outside of family) know your mn? Do you know the mn’s of your frends/associates/coworkers/etc?
I say put whatever you want in the middle. If he hates, no one ever has to know
ETA:
I don’t consider Bear whimsical. It’s pretty safe and expected. If you really want to get ‘out there’ I’d go with something you would never in a million years use as a first name (maybe that’s Bear for you but it’s too normal for me)
Aengus
Saulnier
Taliesin
Oakheart
Amadeo
1 [name]David[/name] [name]Sherlock[/name]
2 [name]David[/name] [name]Amadeo[/name]
3 [name]David[/name] [name]Taliesin[/name]
I really like [name]Rhys[/name]
I love [name]David[/name] [name]Bear[/name]!! So adorable.
Sure, I’m a fan of pairing a classic name with something more “out there.” The only name that didn’t get my vote was [name]Hamish[/name], and that’s only because it’s so rhymey with [name]David[/name]–same number of syllables, same vowel sounds. I also wouldn’t recommend the Daibheid spelling if you’re in the U.S. I wish it would work, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t.
My favorites are [name]David[/name] [name]Taliesin[/name] (I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Taliesin[/name]!) and [name]David[/name] [name]Amadeo[/name]. [name]David[/name] [name]Bear[/name] is both cute and strong. The others are good, too, but I tend to prefer names with uneven numbers of syllables, so [name]David[/name] [name]Aengus[/name], [name]David[/name] [name]Sherlock[/name], etc. aren’t quite as pleasing to my ear.
[name]Love[/name] several of thompssn’s suggestions, especially [name]David[/name] Legolas! That might have to go on my guilty pleasure list at least.
Best wishes!
P.S. [name]Thorin[/name] Oakenshield, from “The Hobbit,” is such a great name. I totally sympathize with your love for it.