Choosing a baby name can be challenging. You may feel a lot of pressure from family or from the simple fact that this will be what the world will call your child for its entire life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this article is for you. In it, we’ll go over some tips to help you choose a good baby name. Let’s get started!
1. Make sure it’s legal
The first step to narrowing down a baby’s name is to make sure it’s legal. Many countries have rules about what a name can and cannot be. For example, the name may have to fit within a certain character limit or not include numbers or symbols.
2. Avoid passing trends
Beware of passing name trends. You don’t want to name your child something only to regret it later. Ask yourself, how will the name sound in 10 or 20 years?
For example, naming your baby after a character in a popular new movie may not age well. Similarly, you want to avoid weird spellings that may be trendy now but won’t be in the long run.
3. Take a look at your family tree
If you need some inspiration for a baby name, consider researching your family tree. You or your partner may have an ancestor whose name you like. Or you could simply name your baby after a parent or grandparent to honor them.
4. Look up the meaning
The meaning of your baby’s name isn’t everything, but you should at least know what it is. You can use a site like behindthename.com to find out the meaning of a name. If it’s something you like, great! If not, maybe consider other names. You want to avoid odd name meanings if possible.
5. Consider how it will sound as your child ages
Some names make for great baby names but aren’t necessarily great adult names. However, your baby will eventually grow into an adult. So it’s important to choose a name that will suit all ages. For a simple test, ask yourself if you would like the name now. For example, if you wouldn’t want to be called Daisy-May, perhaps your future adult child won’t either.
6. Consider its popularity
Some names are more popular than others. While there’s nothing wrong with a popular name, it may mean that your baby will share a name with many others. For example, they may end up as one of three “Sarahs” in their class, which could prove annoying.
If you want to learn the most popular baby names in the U.S. by year, visit the Social Security website.
7. Write out the initials
Avoid choosing a full name with initials that spell something you wouldn’t want. For example, you may not want to call your child Ashley Sarah Simons (A.S.S) or Franklin Aaron Tims (F.A.T.).
8. Consider possible nicknames
Kids inevitably end up with nicknames. Most of the time, these nicknames are a spin on someone’s original name. For example, “Mikey” for “Michael” or “Bill” for “William.” Consider common nicknames to see if you’re okay with them. If not, you may want to keep searching.
9. Make sure the full name flows well
Say the first, middle, and last name out loud to see if they flow well together. For example, Ryan Brian Lyon is probably not the best choice. In contrast, Paul Christopher Lyon sounds a bit better.
You should also check to see if anyone famous has the same full name. If so, make sure you’re okay with people making that connection.
10. Consider readability and pronunciation
Lastly, consider if the name is difficult to read or pronounce. If it is, your child may face challenges later in life when trying to apply for jobs and educational programs.
Final advice
Ultimately, the baby name you choose is up to you and your partner. Find something you can agree on, and don’t stress too much about what other people think.
If you don’t like the name later on, consider calling the child by a nickname or their middle name. If all else fails, you can change their name legally through something like a deed poll.
