Baby Naming Ideas

Ten Tips on How to Select the Best Baby Name

Selecting a name for a baby boy or baby girl is one of the most important initial decisions a parent can make.

A name helps define who a child is going to become in the world so it is essential to take special consideration when naming a baby.

Each parent goes through a different baby naming process. With so many choices, where should you start? Obviously, there is no one best way. What's important is that you take your time, consider your options and choose wisely.

The Power of a Name

A name can capture the very personality parents want their child to become. A name can conjure up powerful images. It can resonate sophistication. It can hold sentimental or religious significance. Unfortunately, at times, it can also create confusion.

Useful Naming Strategies

Here are eleven useful naming strategies and tips submitted by real parents you could use to select the best baby name for your child.

Use a family name. What better way to preserve family history than by using a name of a family member? You could leverage a name from a parent or grandparent or even be from a distant relative who lived long ago.
Use a name of religious significance. A popular approach is to choose a Biblical or Hebrew name. This is common practice among many parents. Examples of baby boy names include Aaron, David and Seth. For baby girls you could go with Samantha, Danielle or Jezebel.
Honor someone you admire. Name your newborn after someone you respect or who was influential in your life.
Select a well-known name. One approach is to choose a name that many other parents are using. However, chances are high that your child will have a lot of other kids in their class with the same name. Find out what the top 100 baby boy names and top 100 baby girl names are here.
Use a unique name. You can go with a name that isn't often used to give your child a sense of uniqueness. Who can forget “River Phoenix?” You can also combine two names you really like into one or go with a unisex name.
Select a name based on its meaning or origin. This entire site allows you to read the meaning and origin of each name. Discover the origin of your favorite baby boy names and baby girl names.
Forgo clever spellings. Your child will spend the rest of their life correcting it. If you're going to name your new child Ryan, pass up spelling it Ryon or Rion.
Spell it how it sounds. Don't get fancy with a pronunciation of a commonly spelled name. Avoid pronouncing a name like “Aundréa” that is spelled “Andrea.” People just won't get it. Name her “Aundréa” if that is what you want people to call her.
Have the best of both worlds. If you just can't decide between two names on which is going to be the first name, split the difference. Make a decision together and use the second favorite name as the baby's middle name.
Avoid double names. Robert Robertson isn't clever. It's just annoying. If you have your heart set on that kind of name, perhaps consider using it as a middle name.

Remember, a name lasts your child's entire life. Choose wisely. To gets started, find a baby boy name a baby girl name then send an opinion poll to your family and friends to vote on your favorite names.