middle name

(name between first and last names): First recorded from Harvardiana in 1835.
The Philippine sense is from the adaptation of Filipino full names from former Spanish naming customs to the US naming custom of given name first, then the mother's surname before marriage, then the father's surname.

middle name (plural middle names)

1. a name between the first given name and the family name or surname; a second or subsequent given name

   I go by David but it's my middle name; my full name is William David Mason.

2. (figuratively) a trait, activity, or action closely associated with or aptly describing a person

   Think twice about playing for cash because "Poker" is her middle name.

   I won't tell anyone. "Discretion" is my middle name.

3. (Philippines) one's mother's maiden name

• personal name
• first name
• last name
• danger is one's middle name
• is my middle name
• NMN