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How to pick a name for your child


How to Choose a Baby Name - 10 Expert Baby Naming Tips

Home > Newborn > Health & Nutrition > 10 Expert Tips To Choosing A Baby Name: The Tot Baby Naming Guide

Picking the perfect name can be one of the most difficult decisions parents have to make. Here are 10 top tips from a baby-name expert to help you get it right.

Are you struggling to select a name for your forthcoming bundle of joy? Make a cup of tea and settle in – I’m here to help. I’ve been writing about baby names for more than five years now – some even call me an “expert” on the topic! – and I’ve learned certain cold-hard truths along the way.

Many parents have told me in hushed tones about their baby name regret and the shame it causes them. Some fall prey to trendy options and realize shortly after inking it on their child’s birth certificate that it was a mistake. Others feel pressured to uphold a family naming tradition and end up with a name they hate. And then there are the parents who just can’t agree, so one parent ends up begrudgingly giving in to the other.

You don’t want to be any of those parents. To help you avoid these traps, I present to you my top 10 baby-naming rules. So whether you’re looking for girl names or boy names, you’ll pick the right one for your little one.

 

How to pick the perfect baby name

My tips on choosing the right baby name include:

  1. Avoid passing trends
  2. Remember that classic names don’t have to be boring
  3. Take a look at your family tree
  4. Honor your culture
  5. Look up meanings
  6. Contemplate all possible nicknames
  7. Consider the importance of the middle name
  8. Don’t forget about the initials
  9. Say it out loud
  10. Don’t stress too much

Read more about each of these rules below.

 

  1. Avoid passing trends

 

Your baby’s name should stand the test of time. Ask yourself: Will this moniker sound completely ridiculous in 10 years? Will other children be tempted to chant it in a taunting tone in the schoolyard? Will my child have to spell or explain their name every single day of their lives? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, nix it.

Trends to avoid include grossly misspelled names (think Jakxsen and Rybekkah), random punctuation that serves no purpose (Prin’cess and D’Lilah), pop-culture references (Khaleesi and Katniss), word names with a strange spelling twist (Diezel and Spontaniouse), and out-there hipster names (Amadeus and McCoy).

A large body of research has shown that unusual names are associated with less positive outcomes in life. A Marquette University study found that people with common names were more likely to be hired and researchers at the University of New York discovered that people whose names were easier to pronounce occupied higher positions.

It’s important to distinguish between names from different cultures and the invented or butchered epithets I’m describing here. They’re two very different beasts and one would hope that the former wouldn’t be frowned upon by employers or subject to discrimination.

 

  1. Remember that classic names don’t have to be boring

 

When I suggest that you stick to classic names, I’m certainly not implying that everyone should name their children Peter, Paul and Mary. How dull would that be? There are plenty of striking appellations to choose from that have been around for centuries but remain relatively obscure. Think Celeste, Ophelia and Willa for girls, and Edwin, Miles and Silas for boys. Some beautiful African American choices include Aaliyah, Imani and Tiana for girls, and Jaylen, Malik and Zion for boys.

 

  1. Take a look at your family tree

 

Another great place to seek inspiration is within your family tree. Perhaps your parents have old records of family names or one of your family members has created a family tree online. Have a look to see if anything catches your eye. There’s something really special about choosing a name that you not only love, but that also has a strong significance for your family.

 

  1. Honor your culture

 

Choosing a name from your cultural background is a beautiful way to honor your heritage. Spanish stunners include Marisol and Javier, French beauties you might like are Elodie and Laurent, and early African-American names that may strike a chord include Cato and Temperance. An online search for names from your culture is bound to turn up at least one that you love.

 

  1. Look up meanings

 

This step is imperative so that you don’t end up choosing a name with a meaning that horrifies you. You might love the sound of Giselle, for example, but did you know it means “hostage”? Or that Cecilia means “blind” and Cameron means “crooked nose”? Yikes. You may decide that you love the moniker enough to overlook the meaning, but be prepared to laugh it off when someone inevitably asks you the significance of your child’s name. You could prepare a one-liner such as, “It means ‘blind’, but that felt right because my grandma was blind so we chose it to honor her.” Deliver it with a straight face and watch people’s jaws drop (if you dare).

 

  1. Contemplate all possible nicknames

 

One mom I spoke to told me that she named her daughter Regina – pronounced “Re-JEE-na” – because she loved the regal sound of it. Sadly, Regina’s classmates were quick to nickname her “Regina Vagina” and “Ra-jay-jay Va-jay-jay.” Sigh… why can kids be so cruel?! It’s a good idea to brainstorm possible nicknames with your partner or another trusted family member or friend to ensure there isn’t some shocking possibility you’re overlooking.

 

  1. Consider the importance of the middle name

 

You may choose your child’s middle name based solely on the fact that it fits nicely with their first and last names, but you could also use it to honor a family member such as a grandparent or a beloved aunt. It’s also a nice place to “hide” a family tradition. A friend of mine married a guy called Richard and all the men in his family for something like 12 generations had been named… you guessed it… Richard.   My friend didn’t want to insult anyone in the family, but she did NOT want to name her son Richard XIII. Don’t ask me how she did it, but she somehow convinced the family that the tradition had gone on long enough and that her son should be called Damian Richard. Phew! 

 

  1. Don’t forget about the initials

 

This might sound petty, but your child’s initials are another crucial consideration. Alyssa Sydney Scott (A.S.S.), for example, is NOT a good idea. Nor is Fiona Mary Lawrence (F.M.L.) One ashamed mama admitted to me that she realized too late that her daughter’s initials – F.C.K. – could potentially be construed as a bad word. She’s waiting with bated breath until her daughter starts school and hoping nobody notices! Write down the initials of all the name combos you’re considering just to be sure.

 

  1. Say it out loud

 

Do the first, middle and last names have a rhythmic flow when you say them out loud? Hunter David Jackson sounds nice, but Jackson Grayson McMasterson…not so much. While you’re at it, do a Google search to make sure there aren’t any sordid characters that carry the same name as your unborn child. The last thing you want is for people to say, “Wasn’t there an adult movie star called that?!”

 

  1. Don’t stress too much

 

If you do make a mistake and regret the name you chose, don’t panic – you have options. You could use a nickname for your child forevermore and forget that their real name exists – for example, your clever invention ‘Nicoxavieriah’ could simply become ‘Nick’. Or you could use their middle name as their first name – hence the importance of choosing the middle name wisely. And if worse comes to worst, you can always change your child’s name legally. It requires a lot of paperwork and some fees, but it’s not impossible.

Happy naming!

 

  • Still stuck on a baby name? Explore our list of interesting name options here. And start preparing for other baby must-haves by exploring our selection of non-toxic car seats, strollers and cribs.

How to Pick a Baby Name You (Or Your Kid) Won't Hate Later

If you’re wondering how to pick the perfect baby name, there are a few common-sense rules to follow: don’t try too hard to be unique like too many celebrities we know (looking at you, Grimes and Elon Musk), stray away from first names that are too similar to last names (hi, Robert Robertson.) And, if you’re not Pete Wentz, your child doesn’t need a name like Bronx Mowgli. But baby names can go south in ways that you may not be able to predict in the moment, which means that choosing the right baby name is a bigger responsibility than you might initially realize.

The initials test can be a helpful tool when picking out a baby name. If you don’t think about it, your beautiful little Hannah Aileen Grant could be called Hag for the rest of her life. Have you considered how much nickname potential your baby’s name might have? Little Michael might be lovingly referred to as Micky, but Micky turns to Hicky real quick, and little Dick won’t have a fun middle school experience. I guess no one does, though? No name can protect your kid from all hardship, so don’t spend too much time thinking of every possible cruel iteration of every baby name you like.

Even the “safest” baby names, classics like William and Elizabeth, come freighted with their own personal histories and associations. Putting your baby names through a barrage of tests can help you identify any big red flags. But if there’s a name your heart is set on, no matter the results you get below, stick with it. Try as you might, there is no perfect baby name. We can only do our best to minimize our kids’ chances of being bullied or legally changing their names the second they move out.

1. When Choosing a Baby Name, Consider the Initials

Do the first letters of the first, middle, and last names spell anything? If your last name starts with an “S” then you may want to start with something other than Ashley Susan. Oh, you’ve already thought of that? But have you considered the formal monogram, in which the last initial appears in the middle, bigger, with the first and middle names on either side? Then again, maybe saving the cost of little Felicia Tina Anthony ever wanting anything monogrammed with F. A.T. is something you consider important.

2. To Pick a Name, Play the Baby Name Rhyme Game

Because Shelly might be smelly and Doug may play with slugs, but Drew, at least from word on the street, eats a lot of poo.

3. Run the Name by a Clever Grade-Schooler

Yes, kids will bully other kids in the schoolyard for any reason. At the same time, you don’t want to give them all the help they could ever need to get started. To figure out how quickly a name could morph into playground fodder, give your favorite name(s) to a clever 10-year-old you know. Ask them how many nicknames they can come up with. If he generates 10 in less than a minute, keep looking.

4. Cross-Check Names Against Trending Celebrities

If you’re dead-set on an uncommon name and there’s a match with the breakout new star of the L.A. Lakers, a new Kardashian baby, or a character in an emerging prestige TV series, know that people in the future might assume you named your child after this person. Just think how many parents of Kylies and Kendalls neglected to perform this test 10 years ago and regret that decision now.

5. When Choosing a Baby Name, Ask Alexa: Is It Google-able?

I have an un-Googleable friend named Faith Will. For her entire adult life, searches for her name have come up empty. The only good thing are the constant reminders she receives that her faith will move mountains. (Also, if she ever does anything horrible that makes national news, potential employers may not find out.) So Google the full name you want for your child and see what happens.

6. When Picking Out Your Baby’s Name, Think Big Picture

It’s important to consider the totality of a name — how do all the pieces hang together? Does the last letter of the first name collide with the first letter of the last name in a way that’s confusing? Give it some thought. Jonas Salk had to cure polio for people to stop thinking his first name was Jonah.

7. Speaking of Smart Assistants: Anticipate Upcoming A.

I. Names

Alexa is a beautiful name. It’s also a giant pain in the ass if you find yourself calling it aloud anywhere near Amazon’s clever home assistant. Just think: In a few years, virtual Alexa may be even more ubiquitous than she is today. That means that in homes and businesses nationwide, whenever anyone calls her name — or your daughter’s name — frustration will abound. Unless, that is, little Alexa is a whiz at trivia and/or great at setting kitchen timers.

8. Screen the Baby Name for Over-Popularity and Trendiness

Of course, you shouldn’t care what other people think. But your kid may not be as strong as you. So, just to be safe, Google “most popular baby names” and consider avoiding the ones at the top of the list. While some kids may not want to stand out as the lone Luigi at their school, they also don’t want to be one of six other kids with the same name, all of whom respond when the teacher calls it.

You might also want to avoid popular baby names that have appeared out of nowhere. They tend to wane quickly in succeeding generations. So yes, Braden and Jaden are trendy now — as are Aiden, Caden, and the assorted other -dens — but they will nail your child to a specific generation faster than those emails you received last week from Esther and Marvin revealed that they were not sent by millennials.

To top it off, maybe Google “baby names people hate” and, for your child’s sake, at least consider reconsidering Neveah (Heaven backward), which perpetually tops the list along with (yep) Jaden or Braden for the boys.

9. Perform the Email Test on Your Chosen Baby Name

Does the first initial spell anything when joined with your last name? William Anchor sounds like an awesome choice — until it gets him assigned [email protected] and he has to look for a job with it.

10. When Choosing Your Baby’s Name, It Only Matters What You Think

This is the easiest, but most important, test. If you found the perfect name and you love it, that’s all that matters. Surprisingly, this is not a test everyone puts their favorite name through.

This article was originally published on

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