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

“Her name is Grace, just like your middle name.”

From Literature

Mama added that my middle name would be May, to honor his mother.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bell and Powell showed their gratitude to Smith, who also founded the charity Womb Transplant UK, by giving their son a middle name of Richard.

From BBC

Bat’s middle name, Alexander, was the same as his dad’s middle name.

From Literature

Staff and students are being identified by first or middle names.

From Los Angeles Times