Choosing a baby name is one of the most exciting decisions you’ll ever make as a parent. But it’s also one that isn’t always easy. Many parents believe that a name is so much more than just a label; it becomes part of your little one’s identity. After all, it’s something they’ll carry with them through the wonderful journey of life, from birth to later life.
They were certainly the thoughts on my mind when I was choosing names for my son and daughter. I wanted them to be a bit different, but still classy, and versatile enough to work at every stage of their lives. I really struggled to choose just one name, especially with my son. And every day, a lot of parents struggle with this choice!
In fact, every single day, around 385,000 babies are born worldwide, working out at about 267 babies every minute! That’s a lot of moms and dads brainstorming, shortlisting, possibly getting the opinions of others and finally settling on the perfect baby name.
The good news is that whether you’ve just found out that you’re expecting a little one (congratulations!) and starting from scratch or you have a list that you like but are struggling to narrow it down to just one, there are simple steps you can take to make the process easier.
From exploring different name ideas to testing out how they feel in real life, here’s how to confidently choose the perfect baby name for your mini-me!
How to choose a baby name – if you’re starting from scratch…
Whether you’ve just discovered that you’re expecting a baby or you’re making time to think about what you’d like to call your little bundle, here’s how to choose a baby name from the thousands of options available!
1. Read as Many Baby Name Lists as Possible
There are thousands of baby names out there, but don’t let that overwhelm you. You’ll quickly find yourself scrolling through lists and being drawn to a certain few names. So the more names you see, the more options you’ll have when it comes to making a shortlist. You might have ideas in mind already about the kind of baby name you’d like – perhaps a name inspired by nature, a vintage name that will never go out of style or a name that reflects family culture and heritage (Italian names or Latina names, for example).
But if you’re completely new to the name game, simply click here and take a look at any lists you like the look of. We’ve got boys’ names and girls’ names that are inspired by everything from famous literary characters to old money!
You might only find one or two names on every list that you like, but that’s okay. Having a small shortlist will make deciding the final name later on much easier!
2. Start to Make a List of Names You Want to Shortlist
As you explore name lists and inspiration, start making a note of names that you love. At this stage, you certainly don’t have to overthink it – just write down anything that could work for your little one. Later, it will be time to refine the list and start eliminating options that don’t feel like a perfect fit. If you’re making this decision with a partner, you could even try making separate shortlists and then comparing to see if any names overlap!
3. Read Them Out Loud with Potential Middle Names and the Baby’s Last Name
The third step in your baby naming journey is to speak the name out loud. Oftentimes, a name might look like a good choice on paper but feel completely different to you or your partner when it’s said aloud. Try saying the list of favorite names in full, with their potential first and middle names along with their last name, to hear how they flow together.
Pay attention to the rhythm of the full name, syllable balance, and any awkward sound combinations. For example, if the baby’s first name ends with the same letter that their last name begins with (especially a vowel), some might struggle to say it or it might be misheard. And if your last name is very long, you might find that a shorter first name balances a little better with it.
Aside from the balance of sounds and syllables, consider if you’d like both a first and middle name that are traditional or quirky, or if you’d like a mix of both!
Choosing a classic first and middle name might be the ideal combination for you, but if it sounds too old-fashioned, why not mix it up with a cool middle name that will add edge to your little one?
And remember, there is no right name. The right name is any name that you love!
4. Consider How the Name Might Be Shortened and Consider Nicknames
Think about the natural ways to shorten the names that you like, or any potential nicknames that might come from your chosen name. Will people shorten it automatically, even if your little one uses the ‘long version’? How do you feel about that?
Do you like the potential nicknames? For example, if you love the name “Matthew” but dislike “Matt” or “Matty,” it might not be the best choice.
It’s also so important to consider possible initials. Do they spell anything unintended or something you don’t like?
Read Next: Top 100 Names That Can Be Shortened: Name Origins & Meanings
A lot of parents appreciate a name that can be shortened or a name with some flexibility as it gives their little one a choice about how they use their name throughout their life in different situations and contexts. For example, a little girl called Alexandra might be called ‘Lexi’ as a little one or by her friends as she goes to school, but stick to the full Alexandra in professional contexts. She also has the option to shorten to Alex if she wants to! I say all this as an Alexandra myself; as you can probably tell, I really like the flexibility of my name!
In short, it’s important to make sure you’re comfortable with all the variations before committing to a name, especially one that can be changed and shortened in many different ways.
5. Think about whether you’d like to get opinions from friends or family. (If not, that’s okay!)
Now for the controversial part of baby naming…
Some parents love getting input from loved ones when it comes to name choices. A family member or friend might even come up with a choice you love and commit to! On the other hand, many parents-to-be prefer to keep their name choices to themselves until the baby arrives.
And this is the most important bit – do whatever you feel comfortable with!
You shouldn’t feel pressure to gain approval from friends or family if you don’t want to. When my husband and I were choosing a name for our little boy, telling a certain family member resulted in us having doubts about the name we loved and thought was perfect for our little one. In hindsight, we wish we’d waited to reveal the name when he was born!
If you do want feedback from trusted family or friends, you could casually bring up a few names and gauge reactions. Or if you’re looking for lots of input from those closest to you, you could even create a poll and ask them to choose their favorite choice or choices.
Remember, this little one is your baby. What matters most is that you love the name and it feels right for your son or daughter.
6. Once you have a shortlist…
All that’s left to do is narrow it down to one! Easy, right?
How to choose a baby name – if you have a shortlist of names you like
Once you have a solid list of potential baby names, the next challenge is whittling it down to just one (and a middle name, if you’re choosing one).
Narrowing a list down can feel daunting, especially if you love a few different potential options. But by gradually refining your list and testing how each name feels in real life, you’ll be confident with your ultimate choice.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Rank Them 1-10 and Ask Your Partner to Do the Same
If you’re struggling to decide which names in your list are your favorites, try ranking them. Go through your shortlist and give each name a score from 1-10 (or whatever number works with the number of names you have), based on how much you love it.
If you’re making this choice with a partner, have them do the same, but without seeing your rankings first! Once you’ve both completed your rankings, get together to compare your scores and see which names rise to the top. If there’s a clear winner or overlap in your top choices, that’s a great way to narrow the list down.
2. On the Run-Up to the Baby’s Birth, Delete at Least One Name Per Week
After ranking your choices, if your list still feels too long, try a process of gradual elimination. If you have plenty of time before your baby is born, cross off one name that feels less “right” compared to the others every week.
Over time, this will help you and your partner to get serious about your true favorites. If you try to cut a name and you hesitate, your gut might be telling you to keep it on the list that little bit longer!
3. Call Your Bump the Name for a Day
Once you have a shortened list of potential baby names, a great way to narrow it down even further is to start using it when talking to your bump!
Try calling your bump by one of the names on your list for a full day. When you’re talking to your partner about your little one, refer to them by this name. Does it feel natural? Does it make you smile? By the end of the day, you’ll know whether the name feels right.
4. Write All the Names Down on Paper
Another way to narrow the list down is to see names written out on paper. Write each name on a separate piece of paper and stick them somewhere you and your partner will see them throughout the day, like the fridge! Over time, you’ll start to notice which names feel like the one and which you can delete from your shortlist.
5. Wait Until Your Baby Is Born to Decide!
If you’ve narrowed it down to two or three names you love, but can’t commit to just one, the last thing you should do is stress. So many parents get to this stage and decide to wait for the birth of their baby to pick the final name. And sometimes, a name you’ve been set on for months doesn’t feel right when you finally meet your little one. So, if anything, it’s a good idea to have a couple of ideas in mind that you love, even if you have a frontrunner.
Final Thoughts
My husband and I had chosen the name for our daughter only a few weeks after finding out that we were expecting her. When she was born, the name felt like the perfect fit, so our baby-naming journey the first time was pretty smooth and simple! But when it came to choosing a name for our son, our minds would change pretty much every week. We managed to narrow it down to two names just before he was born that we loved, and we waited until we met him to decide which was the perfect fit.
All in all, baby naming journeys can be simple, challenging, or somewhere in between. But in the end, you will find the perfect name for your brand new bundle of joy, and following these steps should help make that journey even more exciting.
Whether you’re choosing a baby name from scratch, or whether you’re looking to narrow a long list down to a small one, the key to naming your baby is to enjoy it. Your baby is your legacy and the most precious thing that will ever be in your life, and having the chance to give them a name is a privilege!
We hope you have fun on your naming journey and feel inspired after checking out our name lists.
With love, from our families to yours.
