Method to Middle Names

I just wanted to know how you guys like to pick boys middle names? I always go for classic names for my unique first names. [name_m]How[/name_m] do you pick?

I go for nature and literature/mythology inspired middle names. I like to convey a feeling or image with names, so most of them feel (to me) like they’re telling a story, visually at least. I’ve been meaning to do a painting of what each of my combos mean to me, but I want to be settled with the combos before I take on a big project like that. Most of the middles are also a way of honoring important people or events in our lives.

I like popular modern names for first names and old popular english/biblical names for middles.
For example
Cullen James
Xavier Walter
Hunter Edward
Jonty William
Jordan Harry
Damian Luke
Those are just a few.

[name_f]My[/name_f] favourite boys names are a combination of quirky vintage names and unusual/medieval-esque names. For the quirky vintage names, I try to use something a little more off-center, whereas for the more unusual names, I usually use something more traditional, but also a little bit off the beaten track.

I like to choose middle names that have meaning, but not necessarily a family name. Middles I’ve used so far (boys and girls) include a favourite book character’s name, family surname and an important facet of my [name_m]Christian[/name_m] faith, as well as family names. If I have another boy it will likely have [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m] as a middle name, after J.S. [name_m]Bach[/name_m].

It kind of depends. I can usually imagine the personality of my fave boys names quite well, so I find names with a similar character, and use them as middles. I can often find some meaning in most my middles, though it’s not always intentional, there’s usually more in names higher up my list. Then there are some names I love, but wouldn’t use as firsts, so I always try and use them as middles for my favourite names. And I don’t mind using more common names (e.g. [name_m]William[/name_m], [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m], [name_m]Alexander[/name_m]) as middles, especially for really out there firsts.

I consider the vowel sounds in the first name and try to contrast them in the middle name ([name_m]Nicholas[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] works well, for example). As to style, my tastes vary.

I don’t think I have any real rhyme or reason to choosing middles - if I love the name and it sounds good (or at least decent) with the first and surname, then that’s good enough for me. I usually prefer shorter names as middles, but that’s by no means a rule - it just so happens that way.

It depends. Normally:

  • If the first name is sort of whimsical, eccentric, or more “out there” than what I normally go for, I will use a strong grounded middle. For example, right now I am loving [name_m]Jago[/name_m] [name_m]Nicholas[/name_m], [name_u]Asa[/name_u] [name_m]Johnathan[/name_m], and [name_u]Ira[/name_u] [name_m]Luke[/name_m].

  • If the first name is already a pretty grounded, or a more familiar choice, than I get a little playful with the middle name. Like [name_m]Callen[/name_m] [name_u]Sage[/name_u], [name_m]Holden[/name_m] [name_u]Rebel[/name_u], and [name_m]Beckett[/name_m] [name_m]Valor[/name_m].

If I’m just coming up with a list of names for fun, I think my first name choice would be classic and the middle is where I’d go crazy with my more out-there choices that I’d never actually use and just love dreaming up. However, in naming an actual child, my tradition is to use a family name that has significant meaning (but one that sounds good also, of course!). :slight_smile:

In theory, I would pair a more uncommon first name with something more classic or a familiar first name with something a bit more spunky and unexpected.

In real life, we use family names for middles. Our first son (if we have one) will have my maiden name for a middle name because it’s a family tradition in my husband’s family. If we were to have a second son, I would really like one of his names (first or middle) to honor my twin brother, [name_u]James[/name_u], because I’ve just always imagined doing so since I was a little girl. I would either use [name_m]Seamus[/name_m] as first name ([name_m]Seamus[/name_m] being Irish for [name_u]James[/name_u]) or just [name_u]James[/name_u] as a middle name.