Baby Names

150 Middle Names for Boys That Range From Unique To Traditional

Published on October 16, 2024

Fact checked by Karen Cilli

Choosing the ideal first name for your baby boy is not easy. But add selecting a middle name to the mix and it can get a tad overwhelming. Not only do you likely want the middle name to flow with the first name, but you also probably want it to have meaning as well.

Fortunately, there are endless options for middle names, so there is no need to let it stress you out. You can choose a traditional name like Alexander, Jonathan, or William or you might decide to honor your family by using a last name as a middle name like Drake, Murray, or Parker.

And though you’re not required to give your child a middle name in the United States, many parents do. Not only is it a fun process to select a middle moniker, but it also gives your child another option to go by when they get older—especially if they feel like their first name is not quite a fit. Here are some of our favorite middle names for boys.

Although this article separates names by gender, your baby’s assigned sex at birth does not need to dictate the name you choose for them. Names are not inherently gendered or associated with a specific sex, and it's important to select a name that feels right for your little one and your family.

Good Middle Names for Boys

Parents often choose a middle name for their son that has a specific meaning, honors a patriarch in the family, or simply flows nicely with the first name. For this reason, many middle names are more vintage or traditional in nature. Here are some good middle names for boys that are somewhat traditional in nature.

Alexander

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Defending men
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alex, Alejandro, Xander

Benjamin

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Son of the right hand
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ben, Benjy, Benny

Calvin

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Hairless
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cal, Vin, Cally

Daniel

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God is my judge
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dan, Danny, Danyal

Elliott

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Lord is my God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Eli, Eliot, Elliot

Harrison

Origin: English
Meaning: Son of Harry
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Harry, Harryson, Henrison

Jackson

Origin: English
Meaning: Son of Jack
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jack, Jaxon, Jakson, Jaxen

Jonathan

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Gift of Jehovah
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jonathon, Johnathan, Jon, Jonny

Lucas

Origin: Latin
Meaning: Man of Lucania
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Loukas, Luka, Lukus

Sebastian

Origin: Latin, Greek
Meaning: Person from ancient city of Sebastia
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bastian, Sebastiano, Sebastijan

Traditional Middle Names for Boys

If none of the names above seem to be a good fit, try these 50 middle names for boys on for size. They are tried-and-true traditional names that can easily complement a more unique or creative first name. But they also pair nicely with more traditional boys' names as well. Here are some of our favorites.

From A-I	From J-Z
Aiden	Jacob
Andrew	Jeffery
Braden	Jonah
Bradley	Joseph
Brian	Joshua
Caleb	Marcus
Charles	Mason
Chandler	Matthew
Christopher	Michael
Darren	Nathan
Elijah	Nicholas
Emerson	Noah
Ethan	Oliver
Evan	Oscar
Felix	Parker
Finn	Patrick
Franklin	Paul
Frederick	Robert
Grant	Samuel
Gregory	Stephen
Hayden	Sterling
Henry	Thomas
Ivan	Theodore
Isaac	William
Isaiah	Zachary

Unique Middle Names for Boys

Increasingly, parents are looking to their son's middle name as a way to set their little man apart—especially if they went with a more traditional boy's first name. Others are selecting a middle name based on favorite movie or book characters or to symbolize a hobby or special interest. When selecting a middle name, you can be as unique as you want and not have to worry about what others might think.

From A-I	From J-Z
Ace	Jair
Aniken	Jett
Beck	Kenji
Brantly	King
Brixton	Kylen
Boone	Lathan
Cale	Ledger
Casen	Nevel
Coen	Paxley
Dash	Radlee
Declan	Ridge
Easton	Ryker
Elian	Talon
Ellis	Vin
Ford	Wells
Flint	Wesson
Galileo	Wilder
Gunner	Yuri
Henrik	Zayd
Ian	Zyaire

Cute Middle Names for Boys

Some parents that select a cute first name for their little bundle want an equally cute middle name. Others prefer to scratch the cuteness itch with a middle name rather than the first name. Whatever your motivation for selecting a cute middle name for your guy, here are some of our favorites.

From A-I	From J-Z
Archer	Jasper
Asher	Jaxon
Aren	Jude
Blake	Kai
Braxton	Kendrick
Brandon	Lennox
Cade	Liam
Chase	Logan
Chance	Maddox
Cole	Miles
Connor	Palmer
Colt	Penn
Cruz	Quincy
Dakota	Ramsey
Drew	Reed
Fletcher	Sawyer
Giles	Silas
Gordon	Theo
Graham	Uri
Gray	Van
Holden	Vance
Harry	Wagner
Hudson	Wyatt
Harper	Xavier
Ivan	Zane