How To Choose A Baby Name: 7 Tips & Rules Of Thumb To Consider
Shakespeare may have penned the words “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” but he wasn’t trying to name a newborn baby. Ask any mom- or dad-to-be and they’ll likely agree that what’s in a name actually matters. A lot.
Choosing a baby name is one of the first decisions you make as a parent—and it’s no exaggeration to say it’s a decision with lifelong impact. Whether you want a name that speaks to your cultural heritage, honors a family member, carries a significant meaning, or is a unique reflection of you and your partner, there are so many factors to take into account. In this post, we walk you through those considerations to guide you on the journey of picking the perfect name for your little one. Read on for the baby name tips you need to choose a name for your baby.
Understanding the Importance of Choosing Baby Names
The name you pick today will be with your baby for the rest of their life, reflecting the hopes and aspirations you have for your child. As you consider names for your baby, it’s vital to keep in mind how important this choice will be.
Names often carry a connection to a family’s culture and heritage. Many parents want to give their baby a name that honors a beloved family member or historical figure, preserving your family lineage and bonding your child to your family’s past.
If your goal is a unique, one-of-a-kind name, a generation of Jennifers might also advise you to keep current naming trends in mind. Like everything, names tend to cycle in and out of fashion and what might seem novel and original could end up being one of the most popular names of the year. Take the name Arya, for example, which went from relative obscurity to the top 100 girls names in the US in a few short years after being featured on the blockbuster hit “Game of Thrones.” Currently, classic names like Adelaide, Cordelia, Henry and Oliver are having a renaissance, as are gender-neutral names. If you've got a name you’re considering and want to check its popularity the Social Security Administration has a resource that filters the top baby names in America by different categories.
Of course, while it’s important to consider both culture and trends, the most crucial thing is to select a name that resonates with you and your partner to land on a meaningful choice your baby will proudly carry through life.
Creative Tips for How to Pick a Baby Name
When you’re trying to come up with the just-right baby name, there are lots of different approaches you can take. One of the more meaningful approaches—that can align nicely with the trend towards classic names—is to pick a family name. This doesn’t just honor loved ones, it creates a meaningful sense of continuity that connects your baby across generations. Whether you’re choosing a beloved grandmother’s name or have a cool surname somewhere on your family tree that will make a great, unique moniker for your little one.
Another way to look beyond the familiar names that are dominating the top baby name lists is to pick a name from your favorite book, movie, or even a place that has a special meaning. When choosing a character name, consider the traits of the character you admire—like Luna, Matilda, Atticus, or Holden.
Practical Considerations for How to Choose a Baby Name
Practical considerations should also be taken into account as you’re choosing your baby name. Think about the full name to make sure the first, middle, and last names flow together and sound pleasant and harmonious. You should also think about potential nicknames and if the initials spell out an unfortunate word or have bad connotations.
Testing the name in various scenarios can also be helpful. Try saying the name out loud in different contexts, such as calling it out in a park or during a serious conversation or using it to place an order at a coffee shop to get insight into how the name is perceived, understood, and pronounced by others.
Involving Others in Naming a Baby
You’ll doubtlessly be asked by many people—especially family members—about your baby name choice, and it’s up to you to decide if you want to involve others in the baby-naming process. There are pros and cons to either decision so go into it with eyes wide open.
On the plus side, family members can offer ideas and perspectives that might not have occurred to you, giving you a broader range of names to consider. Their feedback can also help you gauge the appeal of the names you’re considering and how they fit in with your cultural or social circle.
There are downsides, too, to sharing your name choices. Family members may offer unwanted feedback or opinions or put pressure on you to choose a different name, making it more challenging to settle on a name that you and your partner really love.
Remember that ultimately, the name you choose is up to you and your partner, but coming up with a thoughtful strategy to manage the opinions of family and friends after you’ve announced your pregnancy can help to quiet all the unwanted opinions. You may want to share the names you’re considering selectively to avoid being overwhelmed with input. When you do choose to share names, acknowledge feedback while politely but firmly letting people know that you hear their input, but the final decision rests with you and your partner.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls as You Choose a Name for Your Baby
Trends come and go quickly, so it’s important to be cautious with trendy baby names. While a name that’s popular today might seem appealing, there’s a good chance that it won’t age well or could tie your child too closely to a specific era. To avoid regret, you might want to opt for a name with enduring appeal to make sure it’s a fitting choice throughout your child’s life.
Another common naming pitfall you’ll want to avoid is choosing a name with a negative connotation. Do your research carefully to make sure you avoid using a name that is associated with any negative people or that has undesirable meanings or associations in other cultures.
You may also want to consider the practical benefits of gender-neutral names to avoid gender stereotyping—they offer flexibility and inclusivity and allow your child to shape their own identities without being confined by traditional gender expectations.
What to Do When You Can't Pick a Baby Name
Feeling stuck? If you can’t decide how to name your baby, it’s time to get creative. Some parents opt for a name-drawing ceremony, where they write their top name choices on slips of paper and draw one: It’s a method that can ease some of the pressure by letting fate play a role. Or you can take a page from this family who enlisted their golden retriever to make the ultimate name choice when they couldn’t decide between Frankie, Liam, or Andrew.
If data is your thing, leveraging technology can help guide your decision. Baby name apps and website offer extensive databases that make it easy to explore the meaning and origins of specific names and their popularity. You can even find apps that suggest names based on sibling names. Organize your choices on a spreadsheet to keep track of top contenders and make the decision-making process feel more manageable.
Making Your Final Decision
Choosing a name for your baby is an important decision that requires a thoughtful, considered approach. As you’re settling on the perfect name, explore 4moms for essentials for new parents that will nurture your baby’s growth. From innovative seats and swings to cozy bassinets, we’ve got the baby registry must-haves that will make the first days and weeks with your soon-to-be-named little one easier on you all.
