Unique middle names today can be anything you want them to be. The last couple of years have seen celebrities use middle names that we didn’t even know could be names, such as Easy, Antarctica, Wildflower, and Zeppelin.

　　But it’s not just celebs and influencers doing it. Parents everywhere, including many of our own lovely readers (Berries), are using the middle name spot as a safe space to let their imagination and creativity run wild.

　　Quirky words as middle names are fun, and can balance out a more mainstream first name — think of the difference between Emily Rose and Emily Nightingale, or Thomas James versus Thomas Blaze — but they can stay hidden if needed. As they’ve been little-used as names before, they tend to be gender neutral names.

　　Be inspired by some of the best bold middle names from celebrities and Nameberry readers. We’ve left out the better-known ones, classics like Rose and modern favorites like Gray. We’re talking here about word names with wow factor. And of course, any of them could also be a first name, if you dare!

　　

Animal and Bird Middle Names

Nowadays, several once-wild animal names and bird baby names like Wolf, Fox, Bear, and Wren have become, if not exactly common, no longer eyebrow-raising. But beyond these, there's a whole animal kingdom of possibility, from the cuddly to the ferocious.

　　Wildlife middle names used by real parents include...

　　Starbabies:

　　Mirabella Bunny (born on Easter Friday; Bryan Adams & Alicia Grimaldi)

　　Paige Cricket (Amy Locane & Mark Bovenizer)

　　Daisy Dove (Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom)

　　Scout Falcon & Ryder Falcon (Rodney & Rose Atkins, née Falcon)

　　Colette Koala (Macklemore & Tricia Davis)

　　Wesley Koy (Colleen Ballinger & Erik Stocklin)

　　Osian Lark Elliot (Milla Jovovich & Paul W.S. Anderson)

　　Jack Lion (Amy Lee & Josh Hartzler)

　　Ripley Nightingale (Kiley Casciano & Matthew Davis)

　　Elsie Otter and Charlie Wolf (Zooey Deschanel & Jacob Pechenik)

　　Babyberries:

　　Birdie Bee

　　Oliver Dove

　　Wilhelmina Fawn

　　Atlas Fraser Finch

　　Jago Gregory Finch

　　Bruno Hummingbird

　　Peter Nightingale

　　Betty Nightingale

　　Juniper Owl Owendell

　　Lyra Rosemary Rabbit

　　Zinnia Rhiannon Rook

　　Eugenia Sparrow

　　Susannah Sparrow

　　

Plant-Based Middle Names

Beyond well-used Rose, parents are now turning to fresh botanical names like Sage and Briar as middles (as well as first names). But some Berry parents have gone one step further, and we've seen many gorgeous flower and tree middle names over the years, as well as fruit and spice names good enough to eat. We also love gender-crossing nature names that are more common on girls, used for boys.

　　Starbabies:

　　Oscar Holly (Robin Tunney & Nicky Marmet)

　　Ida Lupine (Jenny Slate & Ben Shattuck)

　　Edith Pepper (Abby Elliott & Billy Kennedy)

　　Raddix Chloe Wildflower (Cameron Diaz & Benji Madden)

　　Babyberries:

　　Emmet Amaranth

　　Clementine Bluebell

　　Pomeline Bluebell

　　Levi Cedar & Brynn Aspen

　　Oliviana Clove

　　Verity Eilidh Clover

　　Frost Cameron Evergreen

　　James Heather

　　Clementine Clara Honesty

　　Mabel Emilia Lavender

　　Beatrice Cecily Lilac

　　McKinley Mahogany Ivy

　　Maria Marigold

　　Sabina Mayflower

　　Louise Mimosa

　　Larissa Orchid Celeste

　　Theodora Plum

　　Beatrice Sophie Primrose

　　Lee Sorrel

　　Vincent Thyme

　　Frida Tulip

　　Dorothy Wildrose

　　Sylvie Wildrose

　　Rupert Willow

　　

Color Middle Names

Gray (or Grey) and Blue have established themselves as stylish, flowing middle names. But there are plenty of other color names available — in fact, we'd love to see more on this list!

　　Starbabies:

　　Max Red (Casey Wilson & David Caspe)

　　Babyberries:

　　Gus Gold

　　Ella Ruby Green

　　Alfred Harley Green

　　Marley Indigo

　　Thomas Indigo James

　　

Terms of Endearment Middle Names

If cute is your style, what could be cuter than using an affectionate nickname as a middle name? Sometimes these are in-utero nicknames that stuck, or they could be fortunate family surnames. In any case, they instantly make any name significantly more adorable.

　　Starbabies:

　　Poppy Honey Rosie & Daisy Boo Pamela (Jamie & Jools Oliver)

　　Mia Love (Robin Thicke & April Love)

　　Ruby Sweetheart (Tobey Maguire & Jennifer Meyer)

　　Babyberries:

　　Antonia Darling (her parents love Peter Pan)

　　Wilhelmina Darling Rachel (a family middle name)

　　

Royal Middle Names

Names with royal meanings like King and Royalty have risen from obscurity to become a huge trend, and Reign in particular is now a well-used middle name. Lil’ Kim probably helped to accelerate things when she named her daughter Royal Reign in 2014. Below are a few more celebrity examples from recent years.

　　Starbabies:

　　Ezekiel Czar (Tisha Campbell & Duane Martin)

　　Zillion Heir (Abby De La Rosa & Nick Cannon)

　　Jason King (Jena Frumes & Jason Derulo)

　　Sienna Princess (Ciara Princess Harris & Russell Wilson)

　　Powerful Queen (Brittany Bell & Nick Cannon)

　　

Outdoorsy Middle Names

Woodsy names that celebrate the great outdoors, like Wilder and Forrest, are a big trend right now. Beyond plant and tree names, these also include names inspired by weather and the sky, geographic features, and all things exploration and adventure. Here are some that work beautifully both with traditional and unusual first names.

　　Starbabies:

　　Levi Blaze (Sean Paul & Jodi “Jinx” Stewart Henriques)

　　Onyx Ice (LaNisha Cole & Nick Cannon)

　　Ode Mountain (Jena Malone & Ethan De Lorenzo)

　　Cypress Night (Jack Huston & Shannan Click)

　　Petal Blossom Rainbow (Jamie Oliver & Jools Oliver)

　　Zuma Nesta Rock (Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale)

　　Babyberries:

　　Caspian Sage Adventure

　　Rune Vala Evenstar

　　Niko Flint & Devlin Quill

　　Sonata Lune & Mirella Soleil

　　Elowen Snow

　　Leo Sylvanus

　　Venus Marigold Moon

　　Cora Sunshine

　　Eero James Twilight

　　

Dramatic, Creative Middle Names

If you're looking for a middle name that packs a punch, the combinations below prove that the only limit is your imagination. You could a word that's musical or mythical, a number or a vehicle, or something even more edgy.

　　Starbabies:

　　Exa Dark Sideræl (Grimes & Elon Musk)

　　Slash Electric Alexander (Amber Rose & Alexander Edwards)

　　Beatrice Danger (Jess Weixler & Hamish Brocklebank)

　　Olympia Lightning (Kasi Bennett & Usain Bolt)

　　Rise Messiah (Brittany Bell & Nick Cannon)

　　Callum Michael Rebel (Jenna Dewan & Steve Kazee)

　　River Rocket Blue Dallas (Jamie & Jools Oliver)

　　Cashmere Saint (Cam Newton & Kia Proctor)

　　Harper Seven (Victoria & David Beckham)

　　Dakota Song (Brenda Song & Macaulay Culkin)

　　Sunny Bebop (Michael “Flea” Balzary & Frankie Rayder)

　　Beautiful Zeppelin (Abby De La Rosa & Nick Cannon)

　　Babyberries:

　　Noble Matthew Pendragon

　　

Positive Middle Names

We love these unexpected pops of positivity in the middle name position, whether they're cozy and gentle, virtuous, or powerfully optimistic.

　　Starbabies:

　　Buddy Dessert (Brie Bella & Bryan Danielson)

　　Slim Easy (Nara Pellman & Lucky Blue Smith)

　　Winter Mercy (Alanis Morissette & Mario "Souleye" Treadway)

　　Eureka Muse (Amanda Knox & Christopher Robinson)

　　Brooklyn Praise (Kendra & Joseph Duggar)

　　Lula Rosylea (Bryan Adams & Alicia Grimaldi)

　　Babyberries:

　　Mai Ingrid Fable

　　Light Alifair Loveday

　　Josephine Myrtle Peace

　　Violet Whimsy

　　

Place Name Middle Names

Some place names for babies, like Brooklyn and Camden, are common enough not to raise any eyebrows. But if you're considering a place name that's rarer and more extravagant, whether it's a meaningful location or you just like the sound, the middle spot could be the perfect place for it.

　　Starbabies:

　　Lyra Antarctica (Cherry Seaborn & Ed Sheeran)

　　Champie Arizona (Ty Haney & Mark Wystrach)

　　Lillie Carolina (Lauren Akins & Thomas Rhett)

　　Grace Ethiopia (Maya Haile & Marcus Samuelsson)

　　Navy Rome (Jason Aldean & Brittany Kerr)

　　Babyberries:

　　Jasper Anduin

　　Beatrix Astoria

　　Eden Europa

　　Molly Louisiana

　　These unique middle names may seem eccentric now, but who knows, one of them could be the next Maverick and appear on a name rankings list – or playground – near you.

　　Read Next:

　　—Middle Names for Girls

　　—Middle Names for Boys

　　

Check out Nameberry's Week-by-Week Pregnancy Guide.

　　

About the Author

　　

Clare Green

　　Clare Green has been writing for Nameberry since 2015, covering everything from names peaking right now to feminist baby names, and keeping up-to-date with international baby name rankings. Her work has featured in publications such as The Independent and HuffPost. Clare has a background in linguistics and librarianship, and recently completed an MA dissertation researching names in multilingual families. She lives in England with her husband and son. You can reach her at [email protected]

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