British Baby Names

Middle Names - The Adventurous Ones

So far we have looked at popular middle names and family middle names and the reasons why these are commonly used in the middle spot. Now lets look at the other end of the spectrum to the adventurous and unusual and examine why the middle is often where they can be found. 

When you think about it, the frequency with which we share our middle names is completely up to us. Apart from certain obligatory forms we can keep our middle names secret or share them loudly and proudly as we see fit. And as there is such freedom with middle names, why not have fun with them and be adventurous? 

The middle spot is perfect for those parents who love an unusual or striking name but worry it is too "out there" for everyday life. Using it as a middle name takes the yikes-factor (yes I did just invent that word) out that it would have as a first name as turns it into a quirky and original second name. David and Samantha Cameron didn't raise many eyebrows when they chose the anglicised Cornish name Endellion as a third name for their daughter, as they most likely would have done if it had been used as the first name. As a middle name name it's strongest reaction was "Oh. That's unusual.I've not heard that before."

In fact, uncommon names can often form the perfect balance when paired with a popular and well-known first name. Want your Sophie to stand out from the lovely-but-often-used Sophie Jane, Sophie Elizabeth and Sophie May? How about Sophie Elettra, Sophie Merewen or Sophie Damaris for a more striking combination?

It seems many parents agree, as we can see from the many children with the middle name Danger and other descriptive middle monikers such Celestial, Happy and Sunshine. 

Here is a small sample of a few British babies born within the last two years who have uncommon, quirky, interesting and unusual middle names:

Alfred Athelstan Edward Lysander Henry Capability Henry Leonidas Tiberius Louis Santiago Maximilian Thorbjörn Rafe Caledfryn Wynne William Ignatius Zack Taliesin Michael

Alice Calypso Isabella Felicia Honoria Isla Eva Sonia Rainbow Minnie Love Olivia Zdena  Poppy Valentine Darling Serena Honora Silver

Middle Names - The Family Ones

Family names are often utilised in the choosing of middle names. They provide meaning, sentimentality, and a sense continuity. And there are many different ways they can be used.

A little bit of me

Many parents give their own name to their child as a middle name. This is a familiar practice that goes back to the eighteenth century when children were given their parents name as a first or a second name.


Inherited middle name

One of the most common ways of using a family name is the passing down of middle names. These middle names pass from mother to daughter and father to son through the generations. Many of the most popular middle names, that I discussed in the previous post, remain popular because they are continually used for new members of a family. 


Dearly beloved and departed

The first names of much loved family members are another source of middle names. Grandparents and great-grandparents in particular are frequent namesakes honoured in children's names. Using the name of a deceased family member often adds pathos and meaning to a name -- and in some cases provides healing and comfort for a family. 

Some parents, in search of a unused family name (perhaps in a large family were most of the family names have already been "taken") look further back on their family tree for inspiration. Great aunts, uncles and grand parents many times removed can provide an interesting name and still maintain the family connection. Look carefully and you are bound to find a hidden gem. 


Lastnames up front

Many British mums today choose to pass on their family history by using their maiden name for their children's middle name. This practice has happened for centuries, particularly among the aristocracy when family-merging was serious business, but is becoming increasingly common today as women choose to keep their own surnames.

Sometimes other family surnames are used. Really want to honour your grandad Oswald but don't like the name? Consider using his surname instead. 


Variations

When parents want to use a particular family name but find it too outdated, variations can often lend a unique alternative. These variations can be based on meaning, sound or first initial, but mostly they are standard etymological variations. Jane is used to update Janet. Caroline is used to update Carol. 

Feminisations such as Charlotte, Harriet and Josephine can provide a sweet father-daughter link. 


I myself have two middle names. The first of my middle names was chosen because it was a popular name that my parents liked. Personally, I could take it or leave it. I don't dislike it but it screams "80s baby" to me. I have no real sense of ownership with it. 

My second middle name was chosen in honour of my great grandmother who died a few months before I was born. Even though, was I was growing up, it had an old-fashioned sound and had some people remarking "really?" in a disbelieving tone -- as if no 80s parent would be mad enough to use it -- I absolutely love it. It is a name that has been used throughout history, has many fabulous namesakes, and, most importantly, it means something to me. It's the name of a much loved figure in my family, still often spoken about -- and I appreciate having something of hers.

The only problem is that, being the second middle name, it often gets missed off forms -- leaving my first, less preferred, middle name in place. 

Middle Names - The Popular Ones

Once upon a time, when I was eight years old, I came home from school bitterly disappointed and demanded of my mother "Why don't I have the middle name Louise? All the other girls in my class do!" 

"All" was a bit of an exaggeration, however, there were at least eleven girls in the class who had that middle name. At the time I felt as if I had been left out in the name stakes, but a little while later I began to appreciate my uniqueness. No one else in the class had my middle name. There was one girl in the class with the middle name Lynette, and another, Jacqueline - I thought these highly exotic. 

Ann(e), Elizabeth, Jane, Louise and Marie reigned supreme as middle names from the 60s onward. These middles are still incredibly popular today, although Rose, Grace and May are fast becoming the new "it" middle names. 

For boys the picture is a lot more static. John, James and William have been the standard middle names for the majority of the twentieth century.

The General Register Office for Scotland very generously list the top 10 most popular second names (2010, 2009, 2008). Elizabeth, Louise, James and John are consistently popular and in 2010 they stated "the top ten second names for boys and girls are the same as the previous five years with just a few minor changes in ranking."

Often these overly used middle names are typified as being "filler". These fillers are considered to be names used in the middle spot simply to "fill" the space in lieu of anything better. It fits in the "we just thought it sounded nice" or "we couldn't think of anything else" camps. 

The simple reality is that they are popular names, fitting contemporary trends, that sound good with almost any name. More often than not they are passed down through the generations. Other popular middle names include Claire, Jo, Kate, Alexander, David and Jay. I defy you to find a name that doesn't ring lyrically with at least one of the names listed so far. 

The disadvantage is that, when paired with a popular first name, you end up with a name that thousands of others share. 

So, for those of you who are in search of a middle name that has that elusive lyrical quality, but want to avoid the popularly used set, here are a few to consider: 

Adele Bess Carys Delphine Fleur

Gwen Liv Maeve Pearl Tess

Abram Bryn Colm Hugh Jude

Keir Leif Reid Rex Saul

And for short first names, these longer names can provide a nice sense of balance. 

Beatrice Clementine Constance Genevieve Jessamine

Lucille Marguerite Mireille Primrose Vivienne

Atticus August Beckett Benedict Cassius

Julius Maximilian Roderick Thaddeus Theodore