How to Pick a Baby Name

Guide Note

Naming a baby is a delicate task. You need to consider your wishes, those of your partner, and input from your family and friends. But a following a few simple steps will make it easy to pick the right name for your new baby—one that everyone will love.

Table of Contents

Picking a Baby Name Tips
  1. Start by making a long list of possibilities.
  2. Narrow it down by sound and meaning.
  3. Discuss choices with your partner.
  4. Always consider how you, and your partner, feel about the name—you're going to live with it for a long time, so don't pick a name you don't love!
  5. Don't stress during the process.

Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Micah Taylor)
(Creative Commons photo by Micah Taylor)
  • Choosing a name for your new baby is one of the most exciting parts of becoming a parent. But it can also be stressful. Chances are, you've got everyone from your mailman to your mother-in-law offering "helpful" suggestions, and you can't get through a conversation without someone asking "So, what are you going to name the baby?" In fact, the whole baby-naming tradition has become a business all its own, with parents hiring consultants to help them choose a name, and making sure that their baby's name is available as a URL.
  • But naming a baby doesn't require consultants and months of worry over whether you're making the right choice. The baby-naming process should be fun, a chance for you to verbalize your love and excitement about the new baby. The following steps will help you come up with the perfect name for your baby, stress-free.

Step 1: Start with a Long List

  • This is the part of choosing your baby's name that allows you to be free to try things out. No name is out of bounds here. Any name that strikes a chord with you should go on your long list. You may think that you'd never actually end up going with certain names, but more than one couple has been surprised to find that the name they laughed off initially ended up being perfect for their little one.
  • If you're feeling the need for inspiration, consider checking out some of these ideas:
(Photo by Samuel Rosa)
(Photo by Samuel Rosa)
  1. Baby name books and websites. There are hundreds of these resources.
    • You can find books almost anywhere, from your local library to the checkout lane at the supermarket. Many are little more than alphabetical listings of names, but others are organized based on name origin or ethnicity.
    • Websites abound as well. One of the best is Baby Center's Baby Name Finder. Also check out TopBabyNames.com.
  2. Your Family Tree. Take a look at your lineage to find inspiration for your baby's name. A family name can be a wonderful way to tie the younger generations to the past.
  3. Significant Places and Activities. What's special to you and your family? Possibilities can be found in favorite holidays, a treasured place to visit, or even your baby's birthplace (or place of conception!).
  4. History and Literature. History and literature are full of possible names for your little one.
    • Are there figures from history that you admire?
    • What about a character from a favorite novel?
  5. Pop Culture. Do you have a favorite singer, actor, or celebrity? Consider using their name as your inspiration in naming your little one.
  6. Popular Names. Every year, the Social Security Administration publishes a list of the most baby popular names of the past year. These are classic names, but they come with a drawback: your Jacob may be in a class with four other little Jacobs.

TIP: For more ideas of where to find names, like reading the credits of foreign films, see these suggestions. And visit Mahalo's guide to Baby Names.

Step 2: Narrow It Down

  • Now that you've had some fun being creative with your naming options, it's time to narrow that long list down to a more manageable size. Some things to consider:
(Photo by Zeth Lorenzo)
(Photo by Zeth Lorenzo)
  1. Which names do you absolutely love? Make sure you keep them on the list.
  2. Which names sound good when you say them aloud? If you like them, keep them.
  3. Are there any that you or your partner dislike? Get rid of those.
  4. How unique is the name? Depending on your preferences, you may want something more special, or a name people will recognize (and be able to spell).
  5. Did you have an Aunt Nancy that just drove you nuts? Get rid of any names that have negative connotations to you or your partner.
  6. What are the possible nicknames, both positive and negative, that people could give your child based on the name you've chosen? If any of your names seem too risky, strike them off of the list.
  7. Consider what the potential names mean.

TIP: You may want to divide the list further, separating out names you adore from ones you're not sure about, but aren't yet ready to cross out entirely.

Step 3: Pair the Names

  • So, you've got a pared-down list of contenders. Now it's time to see if they work in the real world.
  1. Match the names up with your last name. How do they sound?
  2. See how possible middle names pair with the names on your list. Does it flow when you say the name and middle name together?
  3. Look at the initials. Will your child's future monogram end up spelling something you didn't intend?
    • For example, Claudia Olive White may be a very pretty name, but do you really want baby's initials to spell “cow?”

Step 4: Talk it Out

  • By now, you've probably got two or three names that you absolutely, undoubtedly love. It's time to talk about the big decision!
(Creative Commons photo by Kaat)
(Creative Commons photo by Kaat)
  1. You may want to talk to trusted friends and family. Their perspective might alert you to a positive, or negative, aspect of the name you hadn't considered.
  2. Your partner is the most important person to discuss this with. Go over the list of names with him or her. Ask yourselves the following questions:
    1. Can both of you live with this name?
    2. Can it stand up to the repetition of you saying it (sometimes hundreds of times per day...) for the rest of your lives?
  3. Once you've done this, don't worry too much about narrowing the list down any further. If, when baby is born, you have to decide between Andrea Grace and Elizabeth Anne, it's not a big deal. Chances are, you'll lay your eyes on your baby and say, “Oh, yes...she's definitely an Elizabeth Anne!”

Conclusion

  • Picking a baby name is a monumental task. But if you stay calm, follow a few simple steps, and let yourself have fun with it, it can be a joyful, exciting experience as well. And when you find the name, congratulations! It's the first of many important decisions you'll be making as a new parent!

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