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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Just as Obama showed a Black man with a Muslim middle name could be president, Mamdani shows an actual Muslim and self-described socialist can conquer the capital of capitalism. Ben Adler, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025 Wilson shares his son Robert Ford, who goes by his middle name, with ex Jade Duell. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 But, in 2024, Bellingcat, the open-source-investigations team, published a colorful story about how Kinahan, Sr., had left hundreds of traces of himself online, often using his first and middle names, Christopher Vincent. Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 The Smiths are known for tapping into Daddy’s name for unique inspiration by choosing two words for the first and middle names of their babies, and this angel is no exception. Sarah Scott, Parents, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for middle name

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Middle name.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middle%20name. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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