A lot of people assume that the name Victoria originated with Queen Victoria, who reigned over Britain from 1837 until 1901. While the Queen can take some credit for a rise in popularity of the name, it has origins that go back to long before the British matriarch was born.
In fact, Victoria has been around for so long that it’s actually the name of the Roman goddess of victory.
When choosing a middle name from Victoria, knowing the name’s rich history can help you come up with ideas and narrow down the direction you want to go. As a name, Victoria is historic and popular at the same time. In the US, it’s been one of the top 50 girl’s names since 1987 and hasn’t shown any sign of slowing down.
How do you pair a middle name with a first name that’s timeless yet trendy at the same time? Here are some ideas.
Keep It Royal
One way to pay tribute to the history behind the name Victoria is to choose a middle name that’s also a nod to the British Royals. Try the name of one of the Queen’s daughters for Victoria Alice, Victoria Helena, Victoria Beatrice, or Victoria Louise, which was also the name of the her childhood governess.
If you prefer something more modern, take a look at the current extended Royal Family for inspiration: Victoria Elizabeth, Victoria Eugenie, Victoria Catherine or even Victoria Meghan.
Try Something Unusual
Because Victoria is such a classic name, choosing a middle name that’s a bit unusual is one way to inject a little bit of personality. Try some little-known names for combinations like Victoria Ambrosia, Victoria Arden, Victoria Birdie, or Victoria Branwyn.
Victoria has such a strong feminine connotation behind it that you shouldn’t shy away from pairing Victoria with a traditionally male middle name. You could stick with something more traditional, like Victoria James, Victoria Jack, or Victoria Riley or choose something a bit less common, like Victoria Ace, Victoria Anderson, or Victoria Lachlan.
The Long and Short of It
Because Victoria is a long name with 4 syllables, putting it with a middle name that’s short but sweet works really well.
Try something more traditional, like Victoria Anne, Victoria Faye, Victoria Maude, or Victoria Mae. Or, try something a little less common like Victoria Maeve, Victoria Nan, or Victoria Lark.
Go for Something Fun
If you’re using a first name that’s very traditional, it frees up the middle name for something that’s more playful and fun. Try something super modern like Victoria Sky, Victoria Greer, Victoria Neve, Victoria Sage, or Victoria Soleil.
Of course, anything can be a name so you can also choose something you just really like and pair it with Victoria. Have a favorite city? How about Victoria London, Victoria Paris, Victoria Sydney, or Victoria Granada? Favorite artist? Try Victoria Monet, Victoria Kahlo, Victoria Rockwell, or Victoria Magritte.
If you have a hobby that you love or something that you’re really passionate about, that’s another good place to find inspiration. Anything can be an inspiration. Do you like the outdoors? How about Victoria Park, Victoria Wren, Victoria Sky, or Victoria Rose? Are you passionate about gardening and plants? There’s Victoria Basil, Victoria Laurel, Victoria Fern, or Victora Sage.
Keep It in the Family
While it’s more common for boys to be named after their fathers, there’s no reason this practice can’t translate to female names as well. After all, Queen Victoria herself was named after her own mother whose name was also Victoria.
Whether it’s mom’s or grandma’s name or even the name of a favorite aunt, having your baby girl’s middle name pay tribute to an important woman in the family is always a good idea.
Don’t like any of the first names or want something a little less common? Try a maiden name from your family tree. It’s a really cool way to draw from the maternal side of the family tree, especially if the tendency in your family has been for women to give up their maiden name and take on a married name.
Conclusion
Victoria is a strong, feminine name with strong historical ties that’s been pretty popular for a long time. The middle name you choose to pair with it really changes the feel of the name and helps you make it more your own.
Victoria Louise, Victoria Sky, and Victoria James are all very different versions of what you can achieve just by choosing a different middle name.
We’re sure that whatever you choose, your little girl will come out ahead. With a name like Victoria, how could she be anything but a winner?
