Are you searching for the best baby name for your upcoming little bundle of joy? The good news is that there are so many great options for your child – the bad news is trying to filter through them all to narrow it down.
In a world with so many unique names, family names, and more, where do you start and why? The following will give tips on choosing the best baby name for your child.
(Remember to have fun in the process – this is such an exciting time in your life right now!)
How to Choose a Baby Name
Choosing a name for your new baby is a lot of pressure! It’s not always as easy as having a name pop into your dreams in the night, showing you “the one.” There is often a bit more stress and time that goes into the naming process, and many parents-to-be will take the full nine months to decide on the best name.
Here are some tips that may help speed up the process a bit.
See if there are any family names you love
A lot of times, family names are important when naming a baby. Check back throughout your family history and family tree and see if there are any that you love and want to carry on in your little family.
It’s always a good idea to make a list; that way, you can write down names as they pop into your head so that you don’t forget any. ‘Mum brain’ is a thing, and all that means is that as you get further along in your pregnancy, you might not remember things as well as you did in the beginning. (don’t worry, it’s temporary!)
Make a list of boy names and girl names
The fun thing about making a list of baby names is that you can start before you find out the gender. This means that you’re going through names that you love for a baby boy and names that you love for a baby girl.
And who knows, you’ll probably have a GIANT list of names you’ll love. The fun is to start going through the list and crossing off the ones that don’t stick out as your favourites anymore.
You’ll also find boy and girl names that can be for either sex this way, which is a great way to find new name ideas, too!
Research online
The internet is an amazing place to find so many great name ideas to consider! Using a site like Namiiz is a great way to get new name ideas in one spot. If you’re interested in exploring names with a rich cultural history, you might find Mayan names particularly intriguing. These names, steeped in an ancient civilization known for its remarkable achievements, can offer both unique and meaningful options for your child.
You can easily track down and filter for names you’re looking for, making it a total breeze. Using the internet to create a new name for your child is a great way to think outside the box.
Like most adults, you probably look at social media platforms. Instead of using them to countdown the days or hours, use them as inspiration to find new baby names!
Read baby posts, check out online names, and have paper and pen handy so you can jot them down as you see them. Why go to all that research trouble if you’re not going to remember them later?
Consult with your partner
Suppose you’re having a baby with someone, their thoughts and opinions on the name matter. It could be a fun bonding experience to have both of you sit down and make a list of names that you like.
How cool would it be to check the list together and see if you have any of the same names written down? That might be a fast way to eliminate all the other names without much time and effort!
Make a list of your top 5 names
Remember that your mood or thoughts might change on a name, even after you’re set on one. If this happens before the baby is born and named, you have time to make the change.
It’s amazing when this happens because of something associated with the name in the outside world. When something negative gets into your mind associated with a name, you will want to pivot, and this is where your top 5 names list comes into play.
It gives you a footing for alternative names that you love just as much as the ones you choose, and it also means that you don’t have to start all over from scratch.
Be patient
Part of choosing a name is that you get to have fun with the process. This is such an exciting time during your pregnancy that choosing a name should be enjoyed! Be patient, and don’t feel stressed out about it.
You don’t want to stress picking a name because you’re feeling the pressure only to find out later that you can’t stand the name choice.
Listen to your baby, feel the baby moving, and know that you’ll eventually come up with the perfect name. It may come to you months before the baby is born or just a few weeks before.
Don’t forget about the middle name!
The other thing to remember is that you must have a middle name choice, too! This is a great way to include some of the other name ideas you loved and possibly include them both! Middle names should pair well with the first names, so keep that list going when you’re writing down some of your favourites.
As you can see, choosing the perfect baby name can be a fun process, so make sure you’re having fun with it! The right name will happen – take your time and look!
