200+ Unique and Meaningful Middle Names for Girls

The Western history of giving middle names dates back to Roman times. The more names you had, the more respected you were considered to be in society. Your first name (praenomen) would be a personal name you were called by, your last name (nomen) would be your family name, and your cognomen typically indicated what branch of the family you belonged to (e.g. Nero Caesar Augustus). Upper-class men all had three or more names, but women only had two. Slaves had only one name.

In the post-Roman Western world, middle names were often saint names, given to both girls and boys at Baptism. In the United States, children typically take their mother's maiden name or the naturally get a third name because they are given a two-word name, such as Mary Anne or Betsy Lou. In recent decades, with famous celebrities going by their middle names, it has become a trend for parents to choose something pretty and meaningful for their daughters that typically compliments the first name.

Tip: Be a bit daring when it comes to choosing a middle name since your daughter won't be called this name out loud. You should choose something really striking and unique, like the name of a planet, an exotic goddess, or a natural element. My favorites are Star, Lake, and Honey.

1. Adele: French for tender and kind
2. Alice: Noble and truthful
3. Belle: French for beautiful
4. Blair: One who dwells in the plains
5. Bree: Strong and full of virtue
6. Brooke: A gentle stream
7. Caprice: French for "whimsical"
8. Cerise: French for "cherry"
9. Dawn: As bright as the morning rays
10. Fawn: Sweet and innocent
11. Fern: Fresh like the fern plant
12. Leigh: English for delicate or meadow
13. Lynn: A pool beneath a waterfall
14. Mae: A discerning person
15. Love: A unique name for a girl full of affection
16. Olive: Like an olive tree
17. Pearl: Precious gem
18. Rylie: Someone strong

1. Blue: A beautiful color that evokes a sense of clarity and serenity
2. Dawn: The beginning of a new day
3. Faith: Trusting in all things
4. Fay/Faye: Old French for "fairy"
5. Grace: Meaning "God's favor" or love towards mankind
6. Hope: Someone with positive expectation or the virtue of hope
7. Jade: A precious green stone
8. Jo: A traditional country or Southern name
9. Lane: An Old English name for someone who lived in a lane (down a narrow street between fences)
10. May or Mae: A pet name for Mary or Margaret
11. Paige: Meaning "young helper or child"
12. Rain: Nurturing and refreshing
13. Ray/Rae/Raye: Bright like the sun's rays
14. Reeve: A steward or bailiff
15. Rose: Delicate and beautiful like the flower
16. Skye/Sky: An ever-growing popular name

1. Zaylee: Of Australian origin. It means flower.
2. Anais: Persian goddess of healing and fertility
3. Thea: Greek goddess of light
4. Demi: Abbreviation of Demetria, the Goddess of corn and harvest
5. Arya: Indian word for "goddess"
6. Cia: Greek for "of the moon"
7. Vera: Latin for "truth"
8. Isla: It means "island" in Scottish
9. Ireland: Her friends will be green with envy
10. Imani: African for "faith"
11. Raven: For fans of Edgar Allen Poe or the bird itself
12. Reese: Welsh name meaning "enthusiasm"
13. Anise: A spice and also means "pure soul"
14. Elein: Native American for "as bright as a torch"
15. Regan: Irish for "a little ruler"
16. Eyre: Like our story heroine, Jane Eyre

1. Anne or Ann: A name of Jewish origin that means "gracious"
2. Marie: Lady of the sea or lady of sorrow
3. Claire: Bright and clear
4. Jane: God is gracious
5. Sue: Associated with the Lily flower because lilies grew in the Biblical city of Susa in Persia.
6. Zoe: It means "life" in Greek
7. Lee: Chinese for plum
8. Kate: Pure or clear
9. Louise: German name for "famous warrior"
10. Scarlett: Bright red
11. Clementine: mild and gentle; associated with the cute citrus fruit
12. Violet: A fragrant purple flower
13. Elizabeth: God is satisfaction
14. Lou: A derivative of Louis, a traditional French name used by many French Kings over the centuries
15. Jean: French version of the name "John," which means "the Lord is gracious"
16. Sophia: Wisdom or skill

1. Zion: heaven on earth
2. Diana: divine
3. Michelle: Like God
4. Valerie: brave or valiant
5. Serena: a champion
6. Audrey: noble strength
7. Phoenix: a strong mythical bird
8. Brienne: strength
9. Billie: resolute protector
10. Leona: means lion

It's becoming a trend to use virtues as names.

• Honor
• Courage
• Justice
• Mercy
• Hope
• Love
• Grace
• Brave

Nature names are great too. Get creative and do something unique!

• Abalone
• Aspen
• Autumn
• Blossom
• Cascade
• Fleur
• Misty
• Peach
• Soleil
• Terra
• Wolfe

• Anne Marie
• Charlotte Rose
• Kate Louise
• Fanny Mae
• Wilma Lou
• Anna Belle
• Mary Jo