Halloweek: Quirky Halloween Middle Names

Today we sadly finish up Halloweek. BUT it isn't without an amazing list of quirky Halloween middle names. All the names on this list are unique and different yet fun! Just because I said they make good middle names doesn't mean they aren't great first names. I just see people being braver to use them in the middle name spot. Most of the names (but not all) are unisex.

Moon- English Word Names
Here's a little family history for you: my great grandfather was called Moon because of his bald, shiny head. I have a cousin of some sort bearing the middle name Moon yet he often goes by Moon. The name works wonders on either gender. The name is soft and magical and mysterious.

Binx- Unknown Meaning
I could not make this list without including a Hocus Pocus name! Binx is the surname of Thackery Binx a boy turned cat in the movie. Binx could swing either way and makes a nickname for names like Beatrix, Bianca, Bingham, or Baxter.

Trixie- Voyager, Traveller; English
Halloween is a combination of traditions from many different backgrounds, one of which being trick or treating. What better name after the popular activity than Trixie or just plain Trix. A spunky sassy name on her own or as a nickname for Beatrix.

Pugsley- English Place Name From Warkleigh Devon
Pugsley comes from The Addams Family as the son. According to the character his name means stomach pump, a very Addams family meaning. The name is a surname before it was the character's name although you wont't find many Pugsleys around!

Buffy-  Diminutive of Elizabeth (God is My Oath); English
Buffy is a fearless vampire slayer, a Halloween heroine. The name originated as a nickname for Elizabeth but can also be a nickname for Beverly or just about any B name. I'd say its the female equivalent to Chip and Buddy.

Jax- Short Form of Jackson (Son of Jack); English
Jax is a variant of Jack or a nickname for Jaxon (also a variant of Jackson). The name fits with all pumpkin loving parents. The X ending gives the name an edgy feel. Jax Teller is the main character of Son of Anarchy.

Duff- Dark; Scottish

Duff is a Scottish name meaning dark, perfect for Halloween! You can also go with Duffy. In Scotland the name originated as a nickname for someone with dark hair. Guns 'N' Roses has Duff McKagan born Michael. 

Poe- Peacock; English
Edgar Allan Poe has a dark nature about him. He was the author of the poem The Raven and many will agree that he has a Halloween feel to him. Poe completes a name in the middle name spot. It's short and sweet and works wonders with many other names.

Boo- Word Name
The name was started as a nickname for Arthur Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird. In recent days it has been taken over by Disney. Both pop culture examples show how the name can swing both ways. Jamie Oliver named his daughter Daisy Boo Pamela. A real life Boo middle name!

Rune- Secret; German
Rune is an ancient symbol that is used in magic. The name can swing both ways but it is more popular for boys. It was given to just 36 baby boys in 2018 and even less for girls at only 6. Roo is a great nickname option too.

Marnie- Rejoice; Hebrew or Of the Sea; English
Halloweentown is up there in my top 3 Halloween movies so of course I had to include a name from the movie. Marnie is the main character throughout the series of films. The name fits in with names like Mary, Marie, and Marley.

Prue- Wise, Skilled; English
Charmed had a main character named Prue Halliway, one of a group of sisters who discover they are witches. If you are going with a longer name like Elizabeth or Natalie, Prue flows wonderfully. If you are going with a shorter name like Quinn or Kate, Prudence works much better.

Jameson

In recent weeks I have slowly been working on redoing my top 5 names. One of the names that is making a debut on that list of Jameson, a sweet southern name. 

Jameson is an English surname meaning son of James. Not only is this a great way to honor a James but is a nice alternative to James if you don't want to use the more popular name. 

Popularity

In 2016, Jameson was ranked at #128 and that is up from the previous years. The first time it appeared on the top 1000 charts was back in 1969 at #952. Since its debut it has been climbing put he charts. I wouldn't be surprised if it jumps into the top 100 very soon. 

Alcohol 

Some people may shy away from the name because of the Irish whiskey brand. I feel as if that shouldn't be the stopping factor of this amazing name. The company was started in 1810 by John Jameson and his son bearing the same name. 

Pop Culture 

If you are a fan of the Netflix original, The Ranch, you may know that one of the main character's name is Jameson Bennett. Well maybe you don't because he goes by Rooster. There is also a song by Zella Day called "Jameson" that I heard a little bit of and was kind of cool!

Atlas

To my surprise I have never done a name of the week on Atlas! This name has been my top boys name for close to 3 years and before that it was in my top 3. Had I been a braver namer some years ago I believe Atlas wound have been my top name for close to 5 years now.

Popularity
In 2013, the name jumped onto the top 1000 charts at #778. Since than the name has shot up to #403. More and more parents are seeing the appeal of the name. I wold not be surprised if the name shot up even more in the coming years.

Greek Mythology
From Greek mythology, Atlas was a Titan told to hold the sky on his shoulders after being on the losing side of a war between the Titans and the Olympian gods. During the battle Atlas was the leader. Zeus was the reason for this and sent Atlas to the west edge of the earth. People often misunderstand Atlas holding the sky as him holding the Earth.

He is the Titan god of astronomy and navigation and is associated with the Atlas mountains in northwest Africa. Legend has it that a giant named Atlas tried to drive Perseus away from the mountains and in turn Perseus showed Medusa's head turing the mountains into stone.

Moon of Saturn 
One of the interesting things I found out about the name Atlas while doing this research was that there is a moon named Atlas. The moon surrounds Saturn. It was discovered in 1980 by Richard Terrile. It was named Atlas after the god because it "holds the rings on its shoulders."

Book of Maps
Probably one of the most common associations to Atlas is a book of maps. The first book published was in 1570 by Abraham Ortelius, a Flemish cartography. Atlas used as a word for the maps dates back to 1595.

Waverly

I am at a complete lose when it comes to girl names. As of right now I have no top names or any names I love. Every name that was in my top 10 are names that I just like. A long time ago I had the opposite problem where I had no top boy names. In my quest for find names I love  I came across Waverly a name that has been on my mind lately. Like last week's name of the week, Arlo, I just had to research the name! 

Place Name and Pop Culture Influence 

Waverly can be found as a place name most famous for the Waverly Place in Greenwich Village in New York. The place was named after the 1814 novel, Waverley by Sir Walter Scott where the main Character was named Edmund Waverly. Many people believe Scott named the character after the brand of pen he was using to write it. 

Waverly isn't just a place name in New York. It is also the name of a historical tuberculous hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, Waverly Hills Sanatorium. The hospital cared for tuberculous patients in the early 1900s when there was an outbreak of the disease. It functioned until 1961 when it was no longer needed and closed. 

Disney aired a show from 2007-2012 called The Wizards of Waverly Place about a family of wizards who had 3 kids all competing for sole custody of the family's magical powers. The show takes place in the Waverly Place in New York. Don Daper's bachelor in Mad Men also originates from the same place. 

If you are in The Princess Bride fan club then you probably already know that Buttercup and Wesley have a daughter named Waverly. I'd say thats a great name to feature in a fairy tale. Another character bearing the name is Waverly Jong from The Joy Club who was named by her Chinese mother after the street they lived on. Last but not least is Waverly Grady from Friday Night Lights, Smash's girlfriend. 

Summer, Beach, and Mermaid 

Waverley can be shortened to Wave. Waves are in the ocean and oceans have beaches and mermaids in them. Beaches remind people of summer and lets be honest who doesn't love a beautiful mermaid. My name friend Meagan made a great list of mermaid names and Waverly was one of them! Not only does Waverly have the wave part in it but its also whimsical and airy perfect for a summer baby. 

Unique One Syllable Middle Names {Boys}

Yesterday I featured 10 unique one syllable girl middle names and today I am going to do the boys! Today is Middle Name Pride day and the inspiration behind the two blog posts. What is your middle name? What are your favorite middle names? I always love to hear people's full names and see how they flow.

I know a lot of people like one syllable middle names because a lot of times they flow good with the first name. Another aspect of naming that I have noticed over the years is people like unique names but don't feel they can use them as a name. I say that just because it doesn't work as the first name doesn't mean it can't work as the middle name! That is why I have a list of unique one syllable names that you can use below.

Ford- I have Ford in my top 10 but I have been noticing people using it in the middle name spot. It is great to use after the car company if your like cars.

Penn- Penn always makes me think of William Penn but that could be because I'm from Pennsylvania. I also like Penn in honor of a writer.

Holt- Holt is a Southern name and a word name. It has a sound to it that is unique and different.

West- Kim Kardashian named her daughter North so why can't West be used? It sounds very southern and county in my mind.

Boone- I am starting to realize by looking at this list that a lot of the names are county feeling. Boone is no different. Its not a name you will hear around much.

Ames- James is a common middle name for boys so why not use Ames. Its a nice way to honor a James and has almost the same sound.

Rush- I am a huge fan of word names so its no surprise I like the name Rush. You can also make it a nature name to like the rush of water going by.

Twain- Mark Twain is a famous author out there. If there are parents who like literature or him as an author Twain would make a perfect middle name.

Creed- Creed is a religious name and one that isn't known immediately. A creed is a formal statement of Christian beliefs.

Kit- I adore the name Kit for a boy. The only thing is I could never use it as a first name unless I used it as a nickname but I can't find a full name I love. If you want to honor a Christopher or Christian I think this is a good way to do it.

Unique One Syllable Middle Names {Girls}

The middle name is the place to put your unique names that you aren't brave enough to use as a first name. I think having a cool middle name is the best and its always nice to stand out int he crowd a little. My middle name is Ashley, not unique but when I tell people they are always surprised and are expecting it to be Anne or Marie. A lot of middle names are one syllable and the one syllable names are the names that go with just about any first name. I have 10 unique one syllable names for you for girls.

Rue- Rue has many forms to her: Golden Girls Actress, Hunger Games character, surname, and herbal plant

Air- Dare I saw a nature name? Air is natural so I'd say it works.

Snow- I have raved about his name in the past few months. It's short, sweet and a nature name.

Teal- Color names make great middle names. It's also a bird name believe it or not.

Maeve- Maeve makes a great May or Marie alternative, both of which are common middle names for girls.

Dove- This is the second bird name on the list but its a little more noticeable as a bird name than Teal. I love the romantic, peaceful feeling of the name.

Sloane- Sloane is an 80s move name from Ferris Bueller's Day Off. In 2015 she ranked at #327

Blair- I am a huge Gossip Girls fan and Blair was one of my favorite characters. I like how the name just flows off the tongue.

Noor- Noor is so much like Nora. Since Nora is two syllables and ends with an A it might not go well with a lot of first names. Noor is the perfect fix.

Maude- Maude is a vintage name that can remind people of Queens and the British.