I’ve recently really come to find my naming style (i.e. names I would use for future children), but I’m struggling so hard finding middle names. I like the classic, shorter middles, but I also dislike the southern-style of naming (Lucy [name_f]May[/name_f], [name_f]Maisie[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f], etc.)
I would love some insight on potential middles! I’m honestly open to any suggestions.
Girls:
[name_f]Frances[/name_f]
Thea/Dorothy “Teddy”
[name_f]Sally[/name_f]
[name_f]Shirley[/name_f]
[name_f]Molly[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] – I’m liking the idea of using [name_m]Green[/name_m] as a middle for [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f]. [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] [name_m]Green[/name_m] is a name with really strong family connections for me.
Boys:
[name_m]Conrad[/name_m]
[name_m]Jack[/name_m] – I prefer [name_m]Jack[/name_m] as a stand alone name, I likely wouldn’t use [name_m]John[/name_m] as a full.
[name_f]Mckenna[/name_f] – I know is this controversial for a boy…I’m looking for strong, masculine middle name suggestions.
Sally / Molly (similar rhythm) Frances / Ramona / Loretta / Elsbeth / Evergreen (as a nod to Green)
Shirley Josephine / Tabitha / Carys / Caroline / Rosalind (wouldn’t do obvious word name with Shirley as can sound like “surely” - so not Shirley Green /Autumn etc)
Gwendolyn Elise / June / Ruth / Fern / Hazel / Sylvie / Autumn (I’m not as keen on the flow and experience of Gwendolyn Green but I do prefer.honour names and it does give Gigi as a nn possibility in addition to the gorgeous Gwen)
Conrad Sinclair / Gregory / Hugo / William / Thomas / Bravery /Valor / McKenna
Jack Thomas / Philip / Conrad / Montague / Walter / Wilbur / Stanley / Vincent / Bravery / McKenna (btw Jack has been a solid standalone option for the past century and certainly this one, not many would know his origins as a diminutive of John)
McKenna Vincent / Wyatt / Harris / Brendon / Patrick / Gavin / Jack(son) / Garrett / Barrett / Logan / Xavier / Luke - McKenna Barrett nn Bear could be very cool!
Hope that helps - would love to hear if any strike a chord!
[name_m]You[/name_m] could use a shade of green for the middle:
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] [name_f]Sage[/name_f]
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] [name_m]Forest[/name_m]
[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] [name_f]Olive[/name_f]
Do you just choose names based on sound, or also on meaning? Do you have any idea what your children’s last name would likely be?
I find it hard to advise because I choose names so differently Largely based on meanings or family names, and flow of syllables and sounds in the name as a whole.
But here are my random first thoughts for some of your names:
[name_f]Frances[/name_f] [name_f]Louise[/name_f]
[name_f]Dorothy[/name_f] [name_f]Joelle[/name_f]
[name_f]Sally[/name_f] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] (I can’t seem to put a short name with [name_f]Sally[/name_f] without it sounding Southern!)
I think I’m going for 2+ syllables to stop it sounding like [name_f]Sally[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f], [name_f]Lucy[/name_f] [name_f]May[/name_f] etc… but having it end with a consonant sound rather than a vowel sound kind of helps the middle name still feel closed off and shorter? [name_m]Like[/name_m] [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] and [name_f]Arabella[/name_f] are both 4 syllables, but the consonant sound at the end of [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] somehow keeps it feeling crisper? And while [name_f]Louise[/name_f], [name_f]Joelle[/name_f] etc end in a vowel, the final sound is the consonant, the z or l sound. But don’t know whether that helps at all or is the kind of feel you’re going for!
Largely based on meanings or family names, and flow of syllables and sounds in the name as a whole.