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

Kate — who asked to be identified by her middle name — only found out the extent of her husband’s online sports betting addiction last month. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

As Belle, Kyra Belle Johnson — whose middle name suggests she was born to play the role — has an air of innocence and wonder without playing so young that wedding proposals to her don’t seem creepy. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026

The firm took its name from the middle names of two of her three daughters. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026

In addition to her middle name, Diana, honoring Prince Harry’s late mother, her first name was the childhood nickname of Queen Elizabeth, an intimate moniker used only by her family. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Apr. 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