middle name

American  

noun

1. the part of a person's name occurring between the first and family names, as a second given name or a maternal surname.

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middle name British  

noun

1. a name between a person's first name and surname

2. a characteristic quality for which a person is known

   caution is my middle name

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Etymology

Origin of middle name

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

“We are over the moon in love with this precious girl,” Trainor said, adding that their sons also had a hand in picking their sister’s middle name.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was almost like the system was taunting me,” said Alex, who is now a Cal State University graduate student and chose to use his middle name for fear of being targeted by immigration authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

Only the first and middle names of the defendants were revealed.

From BBC

Lee Claydon, 45, from Bournemouth and known to his family by his middle name Clive, fell from an upper level at the end of the show on 2 August.

From BBC

“I come from a long line of sailors. Unmapped seas and the briny deep are practically my middle names.”

From Literature