Middle name trends for boys

Popular middle names for boys are trending toward traditional names, often paired with a unique name. Many parents may be passing on a family name in the form of a middle name for their baby boy as well.

Popular middle names for baby boys

These days, the use of “junior” also seems to be trending down, with more parents opting to include the father’s name as a middle name instead of a first name.

Traditional middle names for boys are popular among today's parents. Here are the top middle names for boys and celebrity baby name examples. As you can see, many pair a unique or trendy name with a classic middle name.

James ranks #18 as a first name on the Social Security Administration's list of top baby names. However, it is also a popular middle name.

Here are some celebrity baby name examples for boys:

• Abel James: Son of actress Amy Poehler and Will Arnett
• Augustin James: Model Linda Evangelista
• Dezi James:  Actress Jaime Pressly and Eric Calvo
• Jackson James: Talk show host Carson Daly
• Jayden James: Singer Britney Spears and Kevin Federline
• Kelley James: Actress Holly Marie Combs
• Kingston James: Singers Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale

The name Joseph ranks #16 as a first name on the Social Security Administration's list, but also makes a great middle name. Note how many decide on a first name also starting with the letter "J."

• Brendan Joseph: Actor Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham
• Jagger Joseph Blue: Actress Soleil Moon Frye
• James Joseph: Actor Tom Cavanagh
• Jax Joseph: Actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon
• Michael Joseph: Talk show host Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

Edward does not make the top 100 list for first names for boys, but it is a strong, classic name that, thanks to Twilight, may be moving up the charts.

• Beckett Edward: Actress Nicole Sullivan and Jason Packham
• Lydon Edward: Singer and talk show host Mark McGrath and Carin
• Huckleberry Edward: Edward Michael Grylls and Shara
• John Edward Thomas: Actress Bridget Moynahan and Tom Brady
• Maxwell Edward: Cycling superstar Lance Armstrong

The name Thomas ranks #57 as a first name and is a strong middle name as well. Here are some examples:

• Griffin Thomas: New Kids on the Block singer Joey McIntyre
• Jaid Thomas: Actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon
• John Edward Thomas: Actress Bridget Moynahan and Tom Brady
• Nathan Thomas: The Daily Show's Jon Stewart

The name Lee doesn't rank in the top 100 list for baby boy names, but it is a popular middle name, especially paired with a first name starting with the letter "B."

• Bandit Lee: Gerard Way and Lyn-Z
• Beau Lee: Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton "Baby Spice" and Jade Jones
• Beckett Robert Lee: Designer Stella McCartney and Alasdhair

A middle name is a great way to pass on a family name to your child. Need more ideas? Use the following names for inspiration:

• Joshua (Cash Joshua, son of Joshua Morrow)
• Michael (Joseph Michael, son of Olympian Kerri Walsh)
• Patrick (Sullivan Patrick, son of Patrick Dempsey),  
• William
• Ray
• Daniel (Henry Daniel, son of Julia Roberts).

Also check out middle name trends for girls >>

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