middle name

noun

1
: a name between one's first name and surname
2
: a term that is particularly apt to denote a person's qualities or affinities
patience is her middle name

Examples of middle name in a Sentence

President John F. Kennedy's middle name was “Fitzgerald.”
Recent Examples on the Web Kristina — her middle name — enlisted in part to honor her family. ProPublica, 16 Mar. 2024 With the permission of the victim and her mother, The Post is identifying the girl only by her middle name, Nicole. Carolyn Van Houten, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 One Emirati in his 20s agreed to speak on the condition that he be identified only by a middle name, Salem. Vivian Nereim, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 Growing up, Condola, who was named after her paternal grandmother, went by her middle name, Phylea. Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024 Those interviewed asked that only their first or middle names be used because of their immigration status and fears of retaliation. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024 The couple chose the name Oskar to honor Berkus’ former partner Fernando Bengoechea, who died tragically in the 2004 Sri Lankan tsunami; Oskar was Bengoechea's middle name. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 The alleged killer, identified by officials only by his first and middle name as Kevin Alejandro, per policy, was arrested two days ago in Tijuana. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2024 Carol, who asked to be identified by her middle name to help keep her role private, met me behind the brick building outside Boston and escorted me through a back door, down a warren of hallways. Pam Belluck, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'middle name.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of middle name was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near middle name

Cite this Entry

“Middle name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middle%20name. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

middle name

noun
1
: a name between one's first name and last name
2
: a term that names a notable quality of a person
patience is her middle name

More from Merriam-Webster on middle name

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