Looking for the perfect baby name?
Keep these tips in mind as you search.
Still searching for the perfect name? Rest assured you’re not alone. Whether you’re discussing options with your partner or struggling to decide whether to say “Sarah” or “Sarah,” deciding on a name for your baby can be both a fun and frustrating process. When it comes to choosing a name for your baby, many parents feel overwhelmed. And with endless options, it can be difficult to choose. Read on for some tips and other considerations to help you choose the perfect name for your baby.
Keep It In the Family:
The traditional way to narrow down your options is to choose a last name. In some cultures, it’s even common to use the full names of father, grandfather, mother, grandmother, etc. One way to honor both names in a family is to choose a first name for one family member and a middle name for the other. Alternatively, you could name your baby after a personal hero, like a loved one, historical icon, or pop culture figure. Choose someone special to you who embodies the qualities you want in your child.
Look to Your Heritage:
Giving your child a name rooted in your own history can give them a sense of identity and interest. Try “Claude” if you’re of French descent, “Freya” to pay tribute to your Scandinavian roots, or “Ashanti,” a name of African origin that means “gratitude.” And don’t limit yourself to your own culture: many parents today are finding beautiful and interesting baby names from a variety of ethnic and historical origins. (Example: Suri Cruise’s name means “red rose” in Persian.)
Consider Keeping it Private:
Your loved ones will probably ask if you thought about your baby’s name long before the birth. If you really want to make your baby’s name public, then by all means, do so. However, you don’t need to feel obligated to make it public if you don’t want to. Baby names can be very subjective and based on personal preference. Just look at some unique baby names from stars. But that doesn’t mean that one choice is better than another. Often times, your loved ones will comment, give you unsolicited advice, or try to influence your opinion. But if you’re happy with your baby’s name or baby name options, that’s all that really matters. There’s nothing wrong with keeping it a secret, and you might even use a decoy name to avoid these questions until your baby is older.
Find Meaningful Places:
Search the world atlas to find a nickname for your baby, like Victoria and David Beckham did when they named their son Brooklyn. Did you first meet at a music club in Austin? The fashionable Texas city is the perfect name for both boys and girls. Do you love annual ski trips out west? Try “Jackson,” “Vail,” or “Aspen.”
Think About Perception:
Ultimately, what name you choose for your baby is entirely up to you, and there is no right or wrong choice. However, if you choose a name with unconventional spelling or gender-neutrality, you may have to rewrite the spelling on paperwork multiple times at the nursery or clinic, or correct people who assume a gender. Luckily, gender-neutral names are becoming more common and gender-assuming less common. However, if you choose something more unique, consider how others will react. This doesn’t mean you have to justify it. Instead, prepare your answers so you can avoid any follow-up questions by telling people that it’s a personal or family name.
Check Out SSA’s Baby Name Rankings:
Since 1997, the Social Security Administration has compiled an annual list of the most popular baby names chosen by parents for children born in the previous year. If you have a few names in mind and want to know their popularity, you can look it up on the SSA’s website. Or, browse the list of popular names to get an idea of which names to pick (if you want your baby name to be trendy) or avoid (if you want your baby name to be unique).
