Choosing a name for your baby is a weighty job. It can feel really daunting to have to choose such an important thing that will be with them for the rest of their lives. What everyone will know them as, their personal title and identification, a blessing over their life…a name is a valuable thing. We as parents have a big responsibility.

To add to the challenge, there are literally thousands of names to choose from. How do we ever narrow down a name for our sweet baby when there are just so many options? Do we stick with classic names that everyone has heard of, or do we try a more unique title? Do we pick something ethnic? Hyphenated? Short and cute? Poetic?

It feels like there are endless options.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by choosing a name for your little one, I want to help! Here are a few things to consider to help you narrow down your choices and pick a great name for your baby!

NOTE: There are no rules when it comes to baby naming. Perhaps certain things I talk about below don’t matter to you. They don’t all matter to me either. Take what’s helpful, and leave what’s not. This is just to get the wheels turning.

Grab some paper, a pen, and your phone, and let’s begin!

Tips For Choosing a Baby Name

1. Brainstorm.

Find a baby name list. This could be in a book or online. Here’s one to get you started.

Read through the name list, and see what jumps out at you. What names sounds pretty, handsome, strong, or interesting to you? What names stand out from the rest? Which ones are you drawn to?

Jot those ones down!

2. Let your husband veto some ideas.

Next it’s time to run your ideas past your husband. See what names he likes from your list and which ones he doesn’t prefer. Let him veto any names he wants to and add any ideas of his own.

3. Consider meanings.

A quick Google search will tell you the meanings of various names you like. If this is important to you, meanings can help narrow down your search.

What is your prayer for your child? What sort of character do you want to instill in them? What do you hope they know about God or themselves? How you answer these questions can help you choose the right name with the right meaning.

4. Decide on namesakes.

Is there someone you want to name your baby after? This can be a beautiful way to honor someone and carry on a treasured name.

4. Pair it with the middle and last name.

Try out your name ideas with your last name. See how they flow.

If you have a middle name picked, pair them with that as well.

Ask yourself, “Do the names rhyme or sound too similar? Are the names hard to say together? Do they roll off the tongue easily?”

5. Examine positive and negative connotations.

Think about what each name makes you think of. Names will often conjure up memories, and we will remember different people or places when we hear it. It’s important to consider these connotations ahead of time.

6. Try it out with sibling names.

If you have other kids, try pairing your name ideas with their names. How do they sound as a sibling group? Do they start with the same letter? Do they follow a similar style or theme? Does any of that matter to you?

7. Avoid negative nicknames and acronyms.

While we can’t know in advance all the nicknames and silly things people might come up with, we can reasonably try to avoid any problematic nicknames or acronyms from the get-go.

For example, if you are considering the name Benji Adam Davidson, you may want to rethink giving your child the initials, B.A.D. Try switching the first and middle name or replacing one altogether.

8. Pick what you love.

Once you’ve narrowed down your options and made some helpful considerations, it’s time for you and your husband to pick a name you love. Some people like nailing down a name before the baby is born. Some like to have a few options from which to choose once the baby arrives.

Naming our children can be so fun and meaningful. I hope this post sparks some ideas and brings encouragement! Happy naming!

FAQ About Baby Naming

1. What if I can’t come up with any baby names?

If you can’t find any baby names you like, perhaps you need to look at a different list. While you might not prefer trendy and modern names, perhaps you like more classic, vintage ones. Maybe you enjoy names from the Bible or really unique choices.

2. What is the most important thing to consider when naming my baby?

People will have different ideas of what’s most important. Some people may prioritize meanings. Others will simply love the way a name sounds. One might value carrying on a family name most of all. There are so many ways to approach it.