What’s in a name?
Choosing your child’s name will be one of your greatest joys as a parent. Because your baby’s name is so important, it’s normal to feel pressured or apprehensive when trying to choose the right one.
Names give us an identity, a title by which others come to know us. One of the sweetest parts of parenthood is seeing your child grow into his or her identity.
We had an idea of how to name our son before he was born, but it was when we cradled him in our arms for the first time that we were able to fully commit to his name. Now we see so clearly how that name defines him!
It’s important to give your son a name that is both lovable and meaningful to you. In our middle names series, we’d endeavored to create a nearly exhaustive list of options!
From A to Z, we want to explore with you the best middle names for Noah.
Does the middle name work well with your last name?
Does it have a meaning that you love? Does it sound “right” and give you a sense of peace and joy?
Let’s jump into the naming factors that can help you choose a good middle name for your Noah!
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What does the name Noah mean?
Noah is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “rest” or “comfort.” One of the oldest accounts of the name, Noah is found in the Old Testament of the Bible.
A man who found favor with God, Noah built an incredible ark and saved his family from the Great Flood. Later, God placed a rainbow in the sky and told Noah that he promised never to flood the earth again.
During the Protestant Reformation, many Puritan families gave their sons the name Noah to hopefully reflect God’s favor. It was only a modestly popular name choice until the 1990s when it skyrocketed in popularity – likely due to famous ER doctor Noah Wyle – eventually becoming one of the top 10 boy names in the early 2000s.
They are absolutely cute and will bring joy to your heart to watch your baby grow to the person you named them to be!
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How does each middle name sound with Noah?
The name Noah is classic enough to pair well with many different middle names. It’s also less likely for friends and family to come up with a nickname for Noah!
It’s important to find a middle name that supports Noah’s traditional appeal and compliments it based on your last name. So what is the art of pairing names together?
Consider the name Noah Grey Rand. It sounds okay but it doesn’t quite flow, right?
The multiple “-a” endings make it feel repetitive, and while the first and middle names sound okay together, they don’t pair well with a one-syllable last name.
But names like Noah Charles Rand or Noah Grey Carter seem to roll off the tongue better. So what’s the pattern?
In order for names to flow well together, they need to achieve cadence.
Cadence is actually very simple, but it’s something we think little about when naming our babies!
It’s the reason a name will lack flow or sound like a mouthful. Cadence is the rhythmic flow of a set of sounds or words. Like a meter in a song, cadence gives words a pulse or beat.
Typically, mixed syllable names sound best because they create cadence, such as the examples above which had 2:2:1 and 2:1:2 syllables, respectively.
Names with more syllables also add a stateliness to the full name. Consider the name Noah Alexander Hart. The long middle name adds a particular cadence to the shorter first and last names. Alliteration is also always an effective tool for creating cadence, such as a name like Noah Drake Dougherty.
When trying to determine the cadence of your baby’s potential name, take time to say it out loud in different tones. What does it sound like in a soothing tone?
How about when you introduce him to a new teacher? And the one we hope to avoid but just can’t – how does it sound in your high-pitched you’re-in-so-much-trouble mom voice?
If it sounds like a mouthful, makes you laugh, or doesn’t flow well, then you’ll know it’s not the right name! While cadence is instructive, naming is also a kind of art – sometimes it has to make sense to the eye (or ear!) of the beholder.
If it sounds like a mouthful, makes you laugh, or doesn’t flow well, then you’ll know it’s not the right name!
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What do the two names mean together?
Your son’s first name needs a good companion!
That’s why it matters how his middle name complements his first name, Noah. Is there another name that has a special meaning to you?
For example, my son’s first name means, “God has been gracious,” and his middle name means, “valiant protector.” Together his name loosely translates “gracious protector,” and we find it perfect for an eldest son! It doesn’t always work effortlessly, but sometimes the meanings of names can complement each other as much as the names themselves!
It’s also important to consider nicknames that may be given to your son, although Noah does not have many common nicknames! The most popular nickname for Noah is “Nono.”
After that, it’s typically more endearing nicknames like “Noah bear” and “Noey.” That said, it may not matter which middle name you choose for your little Noah in terms of nickname pairing.
But choosing a middle name you love is of great benefit in the event that you (or your son) decides to be called by that middle name.
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Are there names that are significant to your family?
Selecting a family name is a thoughtful way to show honor or remembrance for loved ones, given that your families respect your decision and don’t feel like you are showing preference. (Further proof that names are so important to everyone!)
Maybe your father’s name or brother’s middle name have significant value in the family. Or perhaps there is a great-grandfather or uncle who bears a name that is meaningful to you.
Looking into our family history is sometimes a great way to discover more traditional names that fit with a classic name like Noah!
Best middle names for Noah
So what are the best middle names for Noah? Below is a comprehensive list for the top 101 middle name ideas for Noah!
Transform your baby’s name into a fun and cute nursery decor OR gift to a friend who is expecting!
- Noah Alexander
- Noah Allen
- Noah Andrew
- Noah Anthony
- Noah Baxter
- Noah Benjamin
- Noah Blake
- Noah Blue
- Noah Brady
- Noah Braxton
- Noah Brendan
- Noah Brooks
- Noah Bryce
- Noah Cade
- Noah Carter
- Noah Charles
- Noah Chase
- Noah Christian
- Noah Christopher
- Noah Cole
- Noah Colin
- Noah Daniel
- Noah Dayne
- Noah Declan
- Noah Dominic
- Noah Drake
- Noah Duke
- Noah Edward
- Noah Elias
- Noah Evan
- Noah Felix
- Noah Flynn
- Noah Frederick
- Noah Garrett
- Noah Gavin
- Noah George
- Noah Graham
- Noah Grant
- Noah Gregory
- Noah Grey
- Noah Harvey
- Noah Hayes
- Noah Henry
- Noah Isaac
- Noah Jace
- Noah Jacob
- Noah Jackson
- Noah Jaden
- Noah James
- Noah Jefferson
- Noah John
- Noah Jordan
- Noah Jude
- Noah Julian
- Noah Kent
- Noah Kyle
- Noah Lee
- Noah Levi
- Noah Lucas
- Noah Malcolm
- Noah Mason
- Noah Matthew
- Noah Maxwell
- Noah Michael
- Noah Oliver
- Noah Parker
- Noah Patrick
- Noah Peter
- Noah Peyton
- Noah Pierce
- Noah Paul
- Noah Phillip
- Noah Preston
- Noah Quinn
- Noah Reid
- Noah Rider
- Noah Riley
- Noah Robert
- Noah Ryan
- Noah Sage
- Noah Samuel
- Noah Scott
- Noah Simon
- Noah Stanley
- Noah Tate
- Noah Taylor
- Noah Thomas
- Noah Timothy
- Noah Tristan
- Noah Tyler
- Noah Tucker
- Noah Walker
- Noah Wiley
- Noah Wesley
- Noah Wilde
- Noah William
- Noah Weston
- Noah Wyatt
- Noah Vance
- Noah Vincent
- Noah Zachary
A few of my favorites
With a classically strong name like Noah, there are many good middle name choices. Once you find that perfect fit for your baby boy, be prepared to fall more in love with it over time!
Personally, I like Noah Blake for a more modern name, Noah Charles for a classic spin, Noah Phillip for a biblical name, and Noah Wilde for a unique or literary-sounding name.
Whichever name you choose, it will be the perfect one for your son because you chose it – so rest easy and have fun deciding, mama!
