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

Tommy Davis, Davis’ father, said his son, who goes by his middle name Blair, is a respectful, calm, hard-working man who always joined their family at church. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

His father, Tommy Davis, described his son — known to his family by his middle name, Blair — as an upright, God-fearing man. — Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Your album is named after your middle name, Machiko, which your mother gave you. — Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2026

The couple reportedly chose Philomena’s middle names to honor family members. — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for middle name

• aspartame
• counterclaim
• overcame
• underframe
• username
• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame

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