Parents are loving these middle names for girls right now

With a first name, the pressure is on. Parents have to try and find a baby name that is the right balance of unique, trendy, and timeless. They have to find a name that will most likely last throughout their child's life. It's one of the first parenting decisions they make.

With middle names? That's where the fun begins. Whether they're trying to find a perfect complement to the first name or a totally opposite name to balance the first one out, parents have way more freedom.

For those looking for some top middle names for girls, here are a few to try on for size and see if they hit that in-between spot just right.

Up-and-Coming Middle Names

Middle names are a place where it's a little less risky to go trendy. But which names are on the rise? In addition to keeping track of the most popular names, the Social Security Administration (SSA) also keeps track of the names that have experienced the biggest leaps in popularity in the past year. This time, these are the fastest climbers.

1. Ailany/Aylani/Ailani/Elani
2. Marjorie
3. Scottie
4. Analeia
5. Elodie
6. Romy
7. Julietta
8. Adhara
9. Elowyn
10. Yusra
11. Rowyn
12. Solana
13. Soraya
14. Honey
15. Wrenlee/Wrenleigh
16. Kailany
17. Marlowe
18. Icelynn
19. Lettie
20. Melany
21. Seraphina
22. Cattleya
23. Keziah
24. Jream
25. Amelie

Trendy Middle Names

While the SSA keeps track of the names that are officially climbing the charts, baby-naming sites like Nameberry, BabyCenter, and The Bump also keep their fingers on the pulse, keeping track of users' choices and interest in names. This may give us a glimpse as to which names may be the fastest-climbers in the future.

1. Anora
2. Aria
3. Aurelia
4. Daphne
5. Darcy
6. Dove
7. Esme
8. Eliana
9. Imogen
10. Kai
11. Kelsey
12. Lux
13. Maeve
14. Marley
15. Mavis
16. Nevaeh
17. Nova
18. Phoebe
19. Praise
20. Robin
21. Rowan
22. Sabrina
23. Tessa
24. Unique
25. Valerie

Even though Game of Thrones is over, parents are still fans of the name Aria, as in Aria Stark, the GoT character played by Maisie Williams. (Maisie is also a cute middle name for girls.)

Unisex Middle Names

Parents who are looking for something gender-neutral can check out these names, which appear on both the list of popular boy names and popular girl names compiled by the SSA.

1. Alexis
2. Avery
3. Blake
4. Charlie
5. Dakota
6. Elliott
7. Emerson
8. Finley
9. Hayden
10. Jamie
11. Jordan
12. Micah
13. Morgan
14. Parker
15. Peyton
16. Phoenix
17. Quinn
18. Reese
19. Remy
20. Riley
21. River
22. Sage
23. Sawyer
24. Skyler
25. Taylor

Short Middle Names for Girls

If brevity is the soul of wit, short middle names are a blessing. Keep it quick and punchy with one of these short names for girls.

1. Ada
2. Ana
3. Amy
4. Ava
5. Eva
6. Eve
7. Gia
8. Ida
9. Ivy
10. Kay
11. Kit
12. Lia
13. Mia
14. Noa
15. Zoe

Long Middle Names for Girls

Then again, bigger could mean better. These long names for girls earn every letter.

1. Avayah
2. Brynleigh
3. Charlotte
4. Clementine
5. Elizabeth
6. Evangeline
7. Florence
8. Hadassah
9. Isabella
10. Juliana
11. Penelope
12. Rosalia
13. Theodora
14. Xiomara
15. Valentina

Names That Honor Family

For families reluctant to have a "junior," or have the baby share her name with a relative, using a family name as a middle name is a great way to honor the past and still let a baby have their own, unique moniker as a first name. It's right on-trend, too: Vintage names like Eleanora, Rosalyn, Josephine, Margot, and Barbara and are all increasing in popularity.

Or, try slotting in an old family last name—after all, surnames-as-first-names is a trend, as these names can attest.

1. Addison
2. Bailey
3. Campbell
4. Carter
5. Collins
6. Delaney
7. Ellis
8. Harper
9. Kennedy
10. Lennon
11. Mackenzie
12. Piper
13. Reagan
14. Sloane
15. Sutton

Strong Goddess Middle Names for Girls

No matter the origin, names inspired by goddesses are on the rise. Families who want the middle name to exude strength can try one of these heavenly names.

1. Aphrodite
2. Ariadne
3. Artemis
4. Athena
5. Aurora
6. Ceres
7. Cora
8. Dalia
9. Devi
10. Flora
11. Freya/Frejya
12. Gaia
13. Iris
14. Jaya
15. Juno
16. Kali
17. Luna
18. Minerva
19. Niamh
20. Padma
21. Persephone
22. Seren
23. Thora
24. Uma
25. Ziva

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend named their daughter Luna, like the Roman goddess of the moon.

Popular Names for Girls

According to the SSA, these are the most often used baby names for girls that haven't been mentioned already.

1. Olivia
2. Emma
3. Amelia
4. Sophia/Sofia
5. Evelyn
6. Camila
7. Violet
8. Scarlett
9. Emily
10. Hazel
11. Lily
12. Nora
13. Chloe
14. Ellie
15. Mila
16. Abigail
17. Ella
18. Isla
19. Madison
20. Grace
21. Lucy
22. Willow
23. Emilia
24. Naomi
25. Victoria
26. Stella
27. Elena
28. Hannah
29. Delilah
30. Leah
31. Lainey
32. Lillian
33. Paisley
34. Genesis
35. Madelyn
36. Leilani
37. Natalie
38. Alice
39. Ruby
40. Claire
41. Kinsley
42. Everly
43. Emery
44. Adeline
45. Audrey
46. Autumn
47. Jade
48. Maria
49. Caroline
50. Brooklyn

Looking for more great baby names? Check out these Good Housekeeping lists: Disney Baby Names | Indian/Hindu Boy Names | Indian/Hindu Girl Names | Italian Baby Names | Japanese Baby Names | French Baby Names | Hispanic Boy Names | Hispanic Girl Names | Irish Boy Names | Irish Girl Names | Long Names for Boys | Long Names for Girls | Nature Baby Names | Short Names for Boys | Short Names for Girls | Gender-Neutral Names | Western/Cowboy Baby Names | 1920s Names | 1930s Names | 1940s Names | 1950s Names | 1960s Names | 1970s Names | 1980s Names | 1990s Names | Y2K Names