25 Meaningful Middle Names for Girls That Sound Novel and Encouraging

New parents are increasingly seeing opportunities beyond just the connective tissue for middle names by seizing it as a way to inject added meaning into a moniker. A middle name with strong personal meaning might be the name of a treasured friend or family member, a surname retrieved from your family tree, or — in the case of the meaningful baby names here — a choice with an inspirational feel.

These mostly word names should inspire parents to not rely on safe bets, and instead, go after an option that encourages a tangible hope. No, we are not telling you to pick a word willy-nilly and then call it a day. It is meant to be an actual name that holds meaning for a family and brings even more charm and character to a name. Meaningful middle names for girls are more than just a bridge between first and last. Explore the possibilities with our 25 favorite options for your baby daughter.

25. Petal

Petal is a soft flower name that reminds us of the promise of spring. Petal is a word name that comes from a Greek word meaning “leaf.” Sure, Poppy and Posey are fun options, but we can’t let them have all the fun!

24. Reverie

Reverie has emerged as an option for dreamy parents that wish plenty of bliss for their child. Fans of Claude Debussy recognize this as name to instrumental music. This name has the charming sound of Everly but with added meaning, making it perfect as a middle name.

23. Moxie

Moxie is an English slang word turned name that refers to someone who has an abundance of “aggressive energy.” Moxie Crimefighter Jillette is an actual name of a real person, the daughter of magician Penn Jillette, in fact. We do not recommend as a first, but as a middle name, this is a blast!

22. Jewel

Jewel was fairly popular in the US during the middle of the last century but it’s currently the least popular it has ever been in the US. Jewel dazzles like a gemstone and we love it as a middle name for girls. If you want something a little more adventurous, consider the French form of this name, Bijou.

21. Honey

In the UK, Honey has become a trendy option for offbeat parents and has entered the top 500 most popular baby names there. Here in the US, the name has yet to take off, but we see plenty of potential for this one, especially in the middle spot. This one is too sweet to pass up!

20. Answer

Answer works as a middle name option because there is an implied spiritual meaning to it, as in “answer one’s prayers.” Many Hebrew names like Eliana share the meaning, “God has answered” so this middle name possibility is completely within the realms of possibility.

19. Bay

Like Lake or River, Bay has sprung to life as another nature name that’s completely versatile and sounds great for both boys and girls. The word has Latin origins and means “berry,” referring to the laurel tree that was prized for its medicinal and culinary properties.

18. Dream

Dream, thanks to a couple of celebrity parents, debuted in the US top 1000 baby names in 2017 and continues to climb the chart today. Dream plays nicely with others making it a completely perfect middle name.

17. Bliss

A sweet, uplifting, and still fairly uncommon modern virtue name, Bliss just might be one of the most desirable middle names because of its happy meaning and concise single syllable.

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16. Fable

Fable, like Story, is a word name with real potential, combining enchanted storytelling with a moral edge. It also has the added quality of sounding like the vintage favorite Mabel. Any child would be destined for a happy ending with this middle name.

15. Honor

Honor is a somewhat more pressured virtue name than Hope or Grace or Faith, placing a high standard on any girl carrying it, but it’s a goal worth striving for. Honora is another possibility if you would like a name with a touch more femininity.

14. Justice

Justice is one of our favorite names for both boys and girls and it has, thankfully, become a mainstay among contemporary parents. Unlike Faith or Grace, Justice carries a more secular meaning. For decades, this name was considered only for boys as it is related to the Latin name Justus. Now, parents have realized that it works even better for girls!

13. Jubilee

Jubilee has a joyous and jubilant aura that’s certain to become an icebreaker later in life. Jubilee is a traditional Hebrew name that means “ram’s horn.” This middle name is a a whole party!

12. Lucky

For lighthearted parents not looking for a middle name with too much substance, Lucky could be the perfect choice. Although, Fortune is the more established choice if that is something you care about.

11. Ocean

If Bay is not big enough for you, consider the middle name Ocean instead. This nature name is rising in usage as a baby name across Europe and also in the US. We expect this name to land in the top 1000 in the coming years.

10. Jinx

Jinx is a playful word name that is closely associated with the James Bond character with the same name (played by Halle Berry in Die Another Day). This name is bursting with life even though it means “spell” or “curse.”

9. Summer

Summer is a very popular name for girls in the US and has been since the 1970s. If you are expecting a sunshine baby, consider this name to celebrate the fruits of the season. In fact, choosing a middle name of your child’s birth season is almost always a great idea. Autumn, Winter, and Spring are all perfect.

8. Scout

Scout, a character nickname from To Kill a Mockingbird, is now one of the fastest growing gender-neutral options for American parents. From eccentric to mainstream, Scout has an inquisitive and light sound to it.

7. Star

Most parents go with Stella, an established name that means “star,” but Star itself has also appealed to new parents over the years. If you are expecting a Christmas baby, this would be an excellent choice.

6. Holiday

Holiday is a posh name that is a celebration of time spent with loved ones, enjoying their company. Holiday is a cheerful word name that’s a perfect fit for shorter first names.

5. Echo

In the Greek myth, Echo was a nymph whose unrequited love for Narcissus caused her to fade away until all that was left was the sound of her voice. This name had a moment in the 1980s but it has never been widely adopted.

4. Bell

Today, Bella and Belle are the two preferred forms of this name. But, from 1880-1912, Bell was the one to beat. Bell has origins as an occupational surname found in Scotland and England, meaning “ringer of the bells.”

3. Arcadia

Arcadia, a name for an unspoiled paradise, makes an attractive secular alternative to Nevaeh or Eden. Like Echo, Arcadia has Greek origins that mean “place offering peace.” This name has never been in the US top 1000, but we hope that changes!

2. Paz

Paz is an amazing Spanish name meaning “peace” and you will also encounter it in Hebrew as a name that means “gold.” Paz is short, sweet, and playful. It’s also an excellent gender-neutral option for parents looking for them.

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1. Majesty

If Princess and Queenie do not capture the majestic power you are after, consider cutting to the chase with Majesty. This word can be traced back to the same Latin root as the word major and means “greatness of God.” If you have big hopes for your little girl, you could go no grander than this middle name.

There you go! We hope you enjoyed this list of meaningful middle names and will consider one for your newborn baby girl. These names are less traditional than most and will appeal to parents who know exactly what they are looking for!