Girls Middle Names Come in at Just One Syllable

A few years ago, someone mentioned looking for one-syllable middle names for girls besides Grace, Rose, and Anne.

Plenty of them came to mind, but just how many were there? I challenged myself to make a list of 100 one-syllable middle names for girls. By the time I stopped, I’d reached 125. Note: And I’ve added (many, many) more since then, so this list just keeps on growing!

From the most traditional of choices to some truly surprising options, this list has something for everyone. They’re gorgeous one syllable middle names for girls … but many of these are perfect first name choices, too. 

THE CLASSICS

ANN, ANNE

No list is complete without Ann. Or Anne-with-an-E, favored by everyone from the ill-fated Anne Boleyn to literary heroine Anne of Green Gables.

BETH

Never quite as predictable as Ann/e or Lee/Leigh, Beth might work well for parents worried that Elizabeth is too long.

CLAIR, CLAIRE, CLARE

It means clear or bright, and Claire has appeared in the US Top 1000 every year since 1880.

EVE

Short and sharp, Eve has been associated with femme fatale characters from the Garden of Eden onward. But the image of Eve as temptress feels dated today, and instead, Eve brings to mind the anticipation of major events, or the name’s original meaning – breath or life.

GRACE

Rich with meaning, Grace is a little bit ballerina and a little bit religiously inspired. Or just a great, all-around choice for a daughter.

JANE

Austen and Eyre make this name literary; the fact that it’s a long-used feminine form of John ensure Jane’s status as a classic. A bonus? It’s the given name of Stranger Things’ powerful character Eleven.

KATE

Katherine appears as a middle fairly often, but how about just Kate? It’s crisp and every bit as traditional among one-syllable middle names for girls.

LEE, LEIGH

A go-to middle for generations.

LYN, LYNN, LYNNE

Time-stamped by 2020s standards, Lynne opened the door for a long list of names ending with this soft sound.

ROSE

Plenty of flower names are popular for girls, but Rose is among the most traditional of choices.

RUTH

Loyal Ruth appears in the Old Testament, and we’ve been using the name for our daughters ever since. A Top Ten favorite from the 1890s into the 1920s, Ruth is ready for revival as a middle – or even a first.

BOYISH NAMES

BEAU

Wait, you ask, isn’t Belle the feminine form of the French word? Absolutely! And yet, Beau brings to mind bows, a feminine, even frilly image. It suggests that Beau has unisex potential.

BRYCE

As in Bryce Dallas Howard, the actress.

DALE

More common for boys, but truly unisex, Dale originally was a place name for someone who lived near a valley.

DREW

Andrew is impeccably masculine, but Drew Barrymore – and the ancient name Drusilla – makes this name feel rich with potential for a girls’ middle.

FINN

A hero name from Irish legend, Finn means fair – and works every bit as well as Lynn or Quinn in the middle spot.

GAGE

A surname name that became a popular choice for boys, Gage means oath or pledge.

JAMES

Despite plenty of controversy, James is continuing to gain in use as a girls’ name, especially in the middle spot. Paired with a conventionally feminine first, it works.

JETT

A modern pick inspired by a love of flying, but also a traditional nickname for -et ending girls’ names in Dutch.

JO, JOE

Jo, as in Little Women’s Jo March, is a favorite boyish name and nickname for a daughter. Joe goes a little further into all-boy territory, but it could work.

JUDE

A Biblical – and Beatles-inspired – boy name that also brings to mind classic girl name Judith, making this a gender-neutral name.

MAX

Traditionally a boy’s name, but possibly a unisex middle.

RAE, RAY, REY

Ray feels most masculine, while Rae feels like the feminine form. And Rey? Well, it’s the Spanish word for king and the name of the newest Star Wars hero, played by Daisy Ridley. Any of the spellings is almost a conventional choice, but still a cool one.

TEX

Dixie Chick singer Emily Robison named her daughter Juliana Tex way back in 2005. The musician grew up in the Lone Star state, making Tex feel like a logical choice for a child’s middle – and a cool one, too.

SURNAME NAMES

BLAKE

As in Blake Lively.

BLIGH, BLY

Rhymes with sly and shy. Bligh might be Irish or Cornish. Bly could be a take on antique Blythe. But it feels intriguing thanks to the legendary (but very real) Nellie Bly, a pioneering nineteenth century investigative journalist. Among other accomplishments, Bly really did travel ’round the world in just 72 days, beating the (fictional) record set by Jules Verne’s Phileas Fogg.

QUINN

A favorite surname for girls, far more popular for our daughters than our sons.

REECE, REESE

It’s forever wedded to the peanut butter cup candy, but also sounds just right on a little girl or a woman of accomplishment. Reese Witherspoon, born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, deserves much of the credit.

REEVE

It’s Eve-with-an-R, a surname name originally meaning sheriff. Reeve Lindbergh was the daughter of pioneering aviator Charles and writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh. She became an author in her own right.

SLOAN, SLOANE

Many years after Cameron and Sloane took part in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, this name finally started to trend. It’s a sleeker take on traditional Joan, and a great single syllable girl name.

TATE

An English surname meaning happy, Tate is an increasingly popular name for boys and girls alike. On the girls’ side, Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae helps make this feel like a natural choice for a daughter.

MINI NAMES

BEA

Beatrice is enjoying a revival, so how ’bout just Bea as a middle? Worth noting: Americans tend to pronounce Bea like the initial, as in Beatrice. But in some languages, this sounds more like Bay-uh.

BEE

Alternatively, spell Bea with a double ‘ee’ and go full honeybee.

ELLE

No, not the middle initial L. The name Elle, short for so many El- names and worn so famously by Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods.

FLO

Short for Florence, and made famous by a fictional insurance agent on television commercials, Flo is familiar, if rare as a stand alone name.

KIT

A mini name associated with Christopher and Katherine, Kit feels spirited and lively. (Suggested by kburgan220. Thanks!)

LIV

It might be short for Olivia, but Liv also coincides with a Scandinavian word meaning life. It’s a powerful, deceptively simple middle.

LO

Spotted on a birth announcement as a middle name, Lo rhymes with Joe and could be short for any Lo- name. It might also be borrowed from an archaic word, one that meant “look!”

LOU

Sure, Louise works in the middle spot. So do lots of other Lou/Lu names. But isn’t the simplicity of just Lou appealing? It’s a little bit borrowed from the boys, and almost-but-not-quite traditional, too.

LU and LUE

Another take on Lou, and an appealng mix of new and old for single-syllable middle names for girls.

VI

Violet or other Vi- names but also Norse names element warrior other possible meanings temple Annevi – intriguing, pronounce it like the letter Vee

VIV

Short for Vivian, or any related name Viv is all energy and verve.

ZO, ZOH

Zoe is two syllables, but Zoh? Rhymes with Joe. We’ve used Jo as a filler middle over the years, but I think Zoh, with the initial Z, makes for a fresh take on the familiar sound.

MODERN NATURE NAMES

AIR, AIRE

It might also be musical, but Aire seems mostly likely to bring to mind clear, breezy skies on a beautiful day.

ASH, ASHE

As in the tree. The world is filled with Ashleys and Ashtons, but just Ash/Ashe feels a little bit different.

BLAZE

Blaise is an old school boy’s name, but fiery Blaze feels potentially unisex.

BAY

A straightforward nature name with a strong sound.

BIRD

Birdie is trending, but just Bird has potential, too.

BREEZE

A windy, light option.

CAT, KAT

Familiar as a nickname for Catherine or Katherine, but less common as a stand alone, with a distinctly feline vibe.

COAST

A verb that suggests ease, but also a lovely nature name for anyone who loves the water’s edge.

COVE

As in a sheltered spot.

CLOUD

A daydream kind of middle.

CLOVE

A spice, and a Hunger Games name, too.

DAWN

Maybe a little 1960s, but with just as much natural beauty as Aurora.

DOE

A deer, of course, but also a rarity that works in the middle.

DUNE

Never mind the smash hit sci fi movie. Dune is also a beachfront kind of choice with a cool, unexpected sound.

ELM

We’ve embraced Willow and Rowan as firsts, so how ’bout Elm as a middle?

FAWN, FAUN, FAUNE

Another borrowing from the animal kingdom, a little old school, but still on track with one-syllable middle names for girls. A fawn is a young deer. Spelling it Faun or even Faune might make it feel slightly more twenty-first century.

FLEUR

The French word for flower, plus a Harry Potter heroine.

FROST

A wintry little middle.

JADE

This gemstone named spiked in use after the oh-so-glamorous Mick and Bianca Jagger gave it to their daughter in 1971.

LAKE

Completely unexpected, and yet an obvious nature name choice.

LYNX

A big cat cousin to Tiger, Jaguar, and Puma, and at least as wearable – if not more.

MOON

If Luna is such a popular first, why not Moon as a middle?

NEVE

Either a simplified spelling of Irish Niamh, or a romance language word meaning snow.

OAK

Oakley and company are rising fast, but the spare strength of Oak makes an appealing middle.

PEACH

One of many edible options on this list. More than one generation has grown up with Super Mario’s Princess Peach, making it seem slightly more name-like.

PINE

Yet another tree-inspired choice.

QUINCE

A small fruit that looks a little like a pear. It’s also the name of a clothing brand.

RAIN, RAINE, RAYNE

A long-time favorite, a mix of stylish sound and weather-inspired pick.

RUE, ROUX

It’s an herb, but the word also means regret. The Hunger Games gave us a young contestant by the name. And then Euphoria made it a nickname for Ruby. Spell it Rouxand it’s a culinary term, but also the French word for the color red.

SAGE, SAIGE

Another herb, but also a word meaning wise. The spelling Saige is reminiscent of Paige.

SEA

It sounds like the initial C., but brings to mind all of the ocean blue.

SKY, SKYE, and SKAI

An obvious nature name choice, often spelled with an ‘e’. Young Disney Channel star spells her name Skai.

SNOW

A winter name, with a Disney princess to match.

SOL

From the Spanish word for the sun.

SPRING

The least-used of the seasonal choices, but Oscar-nominated actress Spring Byington suggests that it can wear well.

STAR and STARR

A shiny, center-stage kind of middle that fits right in with all of those night sky names.

SUN

If Sol makes the list, then Sun fits, too.

STORM

A little bit X-Men, a dash Kardashian, but still an intriguing choice – especially for a child who arrives in a tumultuous moment.

ECOVINTAGE ONE-SYLLABLE MIDDLE NAMES FOR GIRLS

DELL

Poetic word for a valley.

FERN

A nature name with more history of use than most, and the human heroine of Charlotte’s Web, too. It’s sometimes spelled with an extra E: Ferne.

JUNE

Sweetly vintage, and just right for a summer baby. It’s sometimes spelled Joon, as in 1993’s Benny & Joon. In that case, it’s short for Juniper.

PEARL

Lady-like nature name with meaning well beyond the gemstone.

FROM THE BIRDS

DOVE

Love bird names? Lots of us do. But Dove also benefits from its use as a symbol of peace.

LARK

An appealing avian option.

SWAN

A surname for popular heroines (thin Bella and Elizabeth), and the inspiration for more names that you might guess, Swan also makes an intriguing middle.

WREN

The most popular of the bird names currently soaring in use.

COLORFUL ONE-SYLLABLE GIRL NAMES

BLUE

Beyonce’s daughter answers to Blue Ivy. But plenty of parents have used Blue as a middle for years. It brings to mind loyalty (true blue) and positivity (blue skies).

BRONZE

A precious metal, and a surprising color choice, too. The NFL’s Patrick Mahomes named his baby boy Patrick III, but calls him Bronze.

GRAY and GREY

There’s something soft and maybe even sad about Gray, but it strikes me as calm and sophisticated. With Grayson – in several spellings – on the rise, it’s easy to imagine Gray catching on as a middle.

GOLD

There’s Goldie, of course. And lots of names that mean gold. But the straight-up word name works every bit as well.

MAUVE

Maud’s been in use for over a millennium, and Maeve has history to spare, but Mauve is nearly unknown as a name.

PLUM

A color name with ties to the natural world, Plum also means something excellent – making this a triple threat of a middle.

TEAL

A pretty blue-green color, Teal feels nicely name-like; in fact, it’s sometimes heard as a first. It’s also a type of duck.

WORD NAMES

BEAN

Inspired by Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love’s daughter, Frances Bean.

BLOOM

A traditional surname for an iron worker. Today it feels more like a botanically-inspired verb.

BRIGHT

Clara and Lucy carry similar meanings, but why not use the word name Bright for a shining middle?

CHAI

Borrowed from the Arabic and Russian word for tea, and now broadly used in English to refer to spiced tea, Chai is an unexpected alternative to rising favorite Kai, with plenty of warmth.

CHORD

Musical mini name.

DAY

Tuesday works. And Wednesday Addams wore it well. But Day offers an intriguing twist. Bonus? Billie Holiday was nicknamed Lady Day. Oh, and one more? The Feast of the Annunciation was once called Lady Day, and the religious observance made its way into general use.

DREAM

There’s a little Kardashian by the name, but Dream might work even better in the middle.

FAITH

Among the most traditional of word names.

GEM

Torn between Pearl and Jade? Embrace all the glittery things with Gem. Spell it Jem, and you have either a medieval nickname for James, or a fictional 1980s rocker.

HOPE

As expected as Faith, but with a more of a modern virtue name vibe.

JAZZ

A musical middle that seems more name-like thanks to thousands of girls named Jasmine. (And Jazmin and Jazlyn …)

JEWEL

The singer made it familiar-ish, but it remains sparkling and rare.

KIN

It means family, from an Old English word. It might honor anyone with a surname like McKinney or Kinley, too.

LORE

Laura means legends.

MINT

It’s part-nature name, part-color name, and maybe a little bit of praise, too – after all, “mint” condition means something is flawless.

MUSE

Muse carries two appealing meanings: first, the goddesses, known for inspiring the arts in the ancient world. But it also means to ponder or reflect, to be absorbed in thought. Both make this an intriguing option. (Suggested by Isadora Vega – thank you!)

PEACE

A powerful virtue pick, and a word that feels right as a name, too.

QUEEN

Boys have Duke and Earl, but girls rule.

QUEST

We love Journey, so why not this equally adventurous middle?

REIGN

Regal Reign feels perfectly reasonable in age of kids called King.

ROAM

It sounds like the ancient city, but Roam could travel anywhere – and probably will.

RHYME

Literary, with an edge.

SCOUT

Literary and adventurous, Scout makes a richly meaningful middle.

SHINE

While Shine is rare, it might wear nicely. As word names go, it sparkles – but doesn’t overwhelm.

STAR, STARR

A celestial name more obvious than Stella, but still more rare – and a great choice for parents seeking one syllable names for girls. The RR ending makes it look a little more like a surname.

SWIFT

Another of the multi-layered one-syllable middle names for girls, Swift can refer to speed, to the high-flying bird, or to the eighteenth century writer, Jonathan Swift. And, of course, world-dominating singer-songwriter Taylor.

VERSE

As in a line borrowed from a poem.

WAY

Sometimes a Way is a small street; other times, it’s a statement of capability, almost a modern virtue choice. Think where there’s a will, there’s a way … 

WISH

A seldom-heard word name that might be overwhelming as a first, but as a middle, might express the way so many of us feel about starting a family. (Suggested by Maree – thank you!)

WREATH

We associate them with winter, but wreaths appear year-round, a sort of pan-botanical middle than also suggests the appealing image of a circle.

LATIN

LUX

The Latin word for light, and the central figure in Jeffrey Eugenides’ The Virgin Suicides.

PAX

Paxton is popular for boys, but Pax was the Roman goddess of peace. That’s literally what pax means, too.

NYX

From the Latin word for night, though it might also bring to mind all of those Nicholas/Nicole names from an earlier generation.

PLACES

FRANCE

A place name less expected than Paris. With names like Frances and Francesca in use, France almost feels like a traditional choice.

LILLE

A French place name, Lille rhymes with seal. (Though some pronunciations make it almost sound like two syllables.) It might be confused for an alternative spelling of Lily, but it actually comes from a word meaning island.

ROME

The eternal city, and a strong sound for a middle name, too.

VAIL

As in the famed Colorado ski resort, a natural entry for this list of one-syllable names for girls.

MODERN FAVORITES

BELL, BELLE

The French word for beautiful, and the heroine of Beauty and the Beast. Bell makes it more of a straight-up word name.

BRIE and BREE

A breezy name made heroic by Captain Marvel herself, Brie Larson. In Irish mythology, Brígh is the daughter of the god Dagda, so this name has some history.

BROOKE

Socialite Brooke Astor inspired model-actor Brooke Shields’ mother … and the latter made it a modern staple. Brook, as in a small stream, is an even more obvious nature name option.

BRYN, BRYNN

From a Welsh name meaning hill. The double ‘n’ is the far more common spelling, but both work.

CAI, KAI

Kai comes from the Hawaiian word for sea, but this short name claims several possible origins, and can be spelled with a C, too. It might also honor a loved one named Kyle or serve as a fresh update to Kay.

JOSS

A nickname-name for Joseph or Jocelyn, and a possible middle name, too.

MAEVE

Strong and stunning, Maeve makes a great first – but also a commanding middle.

PAIGE

A 1990s favorite, Paige might appeal in the middle spot.

SHAY, SHAYE, SHEA

The perfect middle name for many a long-time New York sports fan, or simply an appealing Irish choice. Shea is probably the closest to the Irish original, while Shay and Shaye are more phonetic.

VINTAGE PICKS

BESS

You might use Beth, of course, but Bess is even less expected.

BETTE

Bette Davis pronounced it like Betty, but Bette Midler rhymes Bette with jet, putting it on this list.

BEV 

As in Beverly, but somehow shortening this makes it a little more interesting.

BLANCHE

It’s Bianca in Italian, but this name becomes the far briefer Blanche in French.

BLYTHE

With a lovely meaning – happy – and an antique sound, Blythe could balance out a longer middle. It’s also sometimes spelled Blithe.

DOT

A nickname for Dorothy, or a sweetly vintage middle. It could share Dorothy’s meaning: gift of God.

FAE, FAY, and FAYE

Fae sometimes refers to a fairy, or perhaps to fate. Either way, it’s a romantic image for a mini middle.

GWEN

A retro, swingy name, Gwen works well as a first name, but equally well as an unexpected middle.

JAN

Spare and straightforward, Jan is a cousin to John – masculine in Europe, but more traditionally feminine in the US.

JEAN, JEANNE

In French, Jean is the masculine form of John; and Jeanne, the feminine. Combinations like Billie Jean might feel a little bit dated, but with the right first, Jeanne makes a great middle.

JOAN

As in Joan of Arc and Joan of Mad Men, a short and thoroughly capable name.

JOYCE

Joyce clearly fits with one-syllable middle names for girls, but it’s not quite a virtue like Joy, despite the shared sounds. Instead, it’s a medieval masculine name that became feminine thanks to Joy.

MADGE

Old school Margaret nickname.

MAE, MAY, and MAYE

Originally short for Margaret and Mary, today Mae is more likely to bring to mind the month. That’s true even though the ‘e’ spelling – as in Mae West – is far more popular.

MAME

Another forgotten Margaret/Mary nickname, immortalized by Auntie Mame

MARE

And another Mary/Margaret abbreviation.

MARGE, MARJ

Sometimes short for Margaret, but more often associated with Marjorie. Also The Simpsons.

MAUD and MAUDE

Spelled with or without the final ‘e’, Maude is a medieval form of Matilda. William the Conqueror’s daughter answered to Maud.

MEG

A Margaret nickname that transforms the classic name into a minimalist gem, and puts it on the list of one-syllable middle names for girls.

MIDGE

Sweetly vintage choice, used with nearly any traditional M name. On the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Midge’s given name is Miriam.

NAN

Originally a nickname for Anne, though now it’s more likely to be associated with Nancy.

NELL

Once short for plenty of names beginning with El, Nell now feels like a sweet and complete possibility, as a first or a middle.

PEG

Minimalist Meg meets retro Peggy.

PRUE

Originally short for virtue name Prudence, Prue almost feels like a stand-alone thanks to 1900s cult favorite series Charmed.

TESS

Originally short for Theresa, Tess could make an intriguing and brief middle.

MODERN VIRTUES

BLISS

Another word for joy, worn by Ellen Page in 2009 roller derby flick Whip It. 

BRAVE

A strong sound and a quality we all want our children to cultivate.

CHARM

Either for your daughter’s charismatic personality, or possibly for luck.

DARE

It has more history of use than you might guess, perhaps thanks to the mysterious Virginia Dare of American history, or maybe author Dare Wright.

FREE

More direct than Liberty, and maybe a little less name-like, too – but I think it works.

GLEE

Joyful, sing-out-loud kind of name.

GLOW

Rhymes with Jo, but also makes this list thanks to the youngest daughter of blogger Rubyellen at Cakies.

JOY

An old stand-by virtue name, but made freshly appealing by the Disney-Pixar character in Inside Out.

LOVE

We love names that mean love, so why not the word itself?

PEACE

Pax and Dove feel more subtle, but Peace works, too.

PRAISE

A spiritual possibility with a bold sound.

PSALM

An old word that feels like a twenty-first century Christian possibility.

SOUL

Richly meaningful, and deceptively brief.

TRU, TRUE

A bright sound combined with a virtue with universal appeal.

TRUTH

Slightly less name-like than True, but still works.

WISE

A common surname, often meaning smart. (Though sometimes it comes from other surnames meaning white.) If Sage works, Wise fits in the middle, too.

ZEAL

Enthusiastic choice with a certain religious overtone.

ZEN

An ancient concept, and a modern virtue, too.

TOO CUTE

BOO

As in the term of affection, not the go-to scare word for ghosts.

MIM

Sometimes associated with Miriam, Mim is a mini name with a sweet sound.

ROO

Maybe it’s a little bit Kanga. And the spelling Rue might be slightly more expected. But Roo appeals on sound alone, and isn’t so different from Lou or Sue.

SWEET

It sounds like Sweetheart, though it’s a surname name, too – and that might explain why it sometimes surfaces as a middle. But it’s a term of endearment akin to Darling or Dear, and might be a charming surprise in the middle spot.

20th CENTURY THROWBACKS

LYN, LYNN, LYNNE

Once it was everybody’s middle name. Now it’s more likely to end a first – Brooklynn, Madilyn, Oaklynne.

PAM

Romantic, literary Pamela topped the popularity charts for baby girls in the 1950s. That puts this name in grandma territory now. If you’re honoring a beloved Pamela, Pam as a middle might be an option.

SUE

A throwback that feels tied to another place and time, to Buddy Holly’s “Peggy Sue.” It’s so tied to an earlier era, that it might feel like a retro charmer in a few more years.

VAL

Valerie is an ongoing favorite; Valentina, a current Top 100 choice. Val would be an unconventional choice that nods to any name starting with the right sound.

CATCH-ALL

AYN

 The most famous figure to wear it is controversial author Ayn Rand. It’s generally considered a form of Ann, though she rhymed her name with line.

BEX

If Jax is a modern spin on John, maybe Bex could be an update for Rebecca?

BREE

Breezy and authentically Irish.

BRENN

An Irish-ish choice assoicated with names like Brenda and Brendan.

BRITT

Scandi short form of Bridget, by way of Birgitta.

CASS

Occasionally used for boys, Cass might also be a feminine, from popular baby girl names like Cassandra and Cassidy.

CHER

Made famous by the actress-singer and the Clueless character, Cher is a French term of affection, literally meaning expensive or dear.

DREE

She wasn’t the first to wear it, but model-actor Dree Hemingway helped raise this Bree-soundalike name’s profile.

EYRE

As in Jane Eyre, making this a literary, light possibility.

GAL

Actress Gal Gadot puts this Hebrew name on the list. It means wave.

GWYN, GWYNN, GWYNNE

A quirkier take on Lynn, every bit as Welsh. Like Lynn, the ‘y’ spellings are traditionally masculine in Wales.

LACE

Lacy is sometimes heard as a girls’ given name, but just Lace has potential as a middle.

LIS, LYS

Might rhyme with bliss, but I’m think of fleur-de-lis, which makes this the French word for lily, one that rhymes with Lee.

MIN

Possibly borrowed from Chinese, in which case it means clever. Or maybe it’s short for Minnie – which is already a nickname. Either way, it’s the ultimate mini name.

NOOR

From an Arabic name meaning light. It’s also spelled Nur.

Reem – As in designer Reem Acra. The Arabic name means white antelope.

REINE

Rhymes with Wren, more or less, Reine is the French word for queen.

REVE

The French word for dream. Reve rhymes with Bev.

SHAI, SHY

A Hebrew name meaning gift, sometimes associated with Isaiah. Spell it phonetically and it’s the retreating – but still quite lovely – Shy.

TAI, TY

Tai Babilonia was a celebrated ice skater in the 1970s and 80s. Her success pushed the name into wider use. Ty works, too, though it might seem slightly more masculine.

TAL

A unisex Hebrew name, Tal means dew.

VAI

From a Polynesian word meaning water, and also the Romani equivalent of Eve.

VALE

As in the poetic word for valley. Television’s Savannah Guthrie gave the name to her daughter.

VERE

An aristocratic surname from eighteenth century England, with a fresh and vibrant sound today.

VRAI

The French word for true.

WRAY

As in the original scream queen, Fay Wray – carried to the top of the Empire State Building in the first movie version of King Kong.

WYNN, WYNNE

Cousins to Gwynne, and obvious candidates for one-syllable middle names for girls.

ZELLE

Yes, it’s an electronic payment system. But it’s also a great mix of Elle with the letter Z, a perfect placeholder middle that’s so much bolder than Anne or Lynn.

DIRECTIONS

EAST

Easton ranks in the boys’ Top 100, so how ’bout just East for a middle?

NORTH

The fame of Kim Kardashian’s first born might discourage you, but North remains a name rich with significance.

SOUTH

A romantic middle name possibility for parents from the Southern states.

WEST

West might be the most name-like of all, a common surname and element in fast-rising choices like Weston. It brings to mind Mae West, but also West Duchovny – born Madelaine West Duchovny.

LETTERS

DEE

A throwback choice, Dee sounds like a mid-century choice ready for rediscovery.

JAY, JAYE

More commonly masculine, Jay works as a nickname for any girl name beginning with J, and could also stand alone.

KAY, KAYE

Often short for Katherine, and familiar to a generation of Kaylas and Kaylees. Add an ‘e’ to make Kaye.

TEE

As easy as the letter.

VEE

A possible short form for Victoria, Veronica, Vera, or any other V-name. But V is for Victory, and somehow that makes Vee feel like a substantial, stand-alone option.

What would you add to this list of one-syllable middle names for girls?