Contents
How to Choose a Baby Name
Baby Name Inspiration
The Most Popular Boys’ Names
Boys’ Names — A
Boys’ Names — B
Boys’ Names — C
Boys’ Names — D
Boys’ Names — E
Boys’ Names — F
Boys’ Names — G
Boys’ Names — H
Boys’ Names — I
Boys’ Names — J
Boys’ Names — K
Boys’ Names — L
Boys’ Names — M
Boys’ Names — N
Boys’ Names — O
Boys’ Names — P
Boys’ Names — Q
Boys’ Names — R
Boys’ Names — S
Boys’ Names — T
Boys’ Names — U
Boys’ Names — V
Boys’ Names — W
Boys’ Names — X
Boys’ Names — Y
Boys’ Names — Z
The Most Popular Girls’ Names
Girls’ Names — A
Girls’ Names — B
Girls’ Names — C
Girls’ Names — D
Girls’ Names — E
Girls’ Names — F
Girls’ Names — G
Girls’ Names — H
Girls’ Names — I
Girls’ Names — J
Girls’ Names — K
Girls’ Names — L
Girls’ Names — M
Girls’ Names — N
Girls’ Names — O
Girls’ Names — P
Girls’ Names — Q
Girls’ Names — R
Girls’ Names — S
Girls’ Names — T
Girls’ Names — U
Girls’ Names — V
Girls’ Names — W
Girls’ Names — X
Girls’ Names — Y
Girls’ Names — Z
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- Looks good on paper and sounds nice when spoken
- Conjures up favorable images and associations
- Has an origin and literal meaning that you—and your child—will like
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How to Choose a Baby Name
As the world’s cultures have intermingled over time, the number of baby names that parents have to choose from has skyrocketed. Though this abundance of names might make choosing a name seem easier, it can also be a little overwhelming as you try to zero in on just the right name.
Five Rules for Naming Your Baby
To ensure that the name you choose gives your baby a great start in life, follow these five guidelines.
1. Balance Popular and Unique
All parents face the question of whether to choose a name that’s popular or go with one that’s unique.
- Popular names: Familiar names ensure that your child will fit in and will not be teased for having a name that nobody else has or knows. Then again, growing up surrounded by other children with the exact same name can make a child question his or her individuality.
- Unique names: Names that parents create, or that few other children have or know, can help your child stand out from the crowd. Remember though that children like to fit in, and a name that’s too odd or unconventional might make a child feel self-conscious and could even lead to teasing.
Many parents solve this age-old dilemma by using novel spellings of familiar names, but without changing the sound of the original name. The table below gives examples of letters commonly swapped to create “new” names.
Swappable Letters |
Examples |
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a = ay = ai = ae |
Ayden; Braeden; Mikayla |
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c = k |
Jakob; Kameron; Kassandra |
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ch = ck |
Zackary |
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cks = x |
Jaxon |
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er = ar |
Gunnar |
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ie = ee = eigh |
Kaylee; Hayleigh |
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ine = yn |
Madelyn |
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k = qu |
Ezequiel |
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on = en = in = an = yn |
Branden; Brandin; Tristin |
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s = z |
Izaiah |
2. Think About Spelling and Pronunciation
A name that’s difficult to pronounce or spell can be a hassle. Though a unique name with an unconventional spelling may seem perfectly appropriate if you envision your child’s name gracing headlines or emblazoned on a marquee someday, remember that until then, your child will have to endure roll call at school, make reservations at restaurants, and spell his or her name for customer service reps and countless other people throughout life.
3. Consider the Meanings and Associations of Names
Most names mean something in the language from which they originate. Knowing the word root, or original meaning, of your favorite names can help narrow down your selection to the most appropriate choices. You can then choose the one name with a meaning that most accurately expresses the qualities that you hope your child will have.
Some distinctive names have also become closely associated with certain specific individuals, most often celebrities. For instance, the name Keanu is currently inseparable from the actor Keanu Reeves. If you either love the name, or love Keanu Reeves, there’s nothing to stop you from choosing to name your child Keanu. But keep in mind that a name closely associated with one individual can be affected by that person’s actions. Kids named after O.J. Simpson probably caught some flack when O.J.’s esteem plunged in the mid-1990s. Choosing a more common name, such as Jennifer or Julia, will shield your child from any eventual negative association, even if superstars like Jennifer Lopez or Julia Roberts someday run into trouble.
4. Don’t Forget Last Names, Nicknames, and Initials
When choosing a name for your child, make sure to consider how the first name that you select fits into the context of his or her entire name, potential future nicknames, and initials.
- Franklin is a great first name. But not when combined with the last name Stein. Do you want a kid named Franklin Stein fending for himself on the playground?
- Benjamin Dover sounds bold and strong, but Ben Dover could cause problems.
- Anna Shea Scott has a nice ring to it, but around third or fourth grade, Anna’s classmates are going to notice what her initials spell—as will the classmates of Patrick Eugene Earnhardt.
5. Take Family Wishes Into Account
Some members of your family may want you to choose a name that’s intended to honor a specific relative. So before you go ahead and pick a name, consult with your family members to find out whether they had in mind a symbolic name of this sort.
If you’re lucky, you and your family members will agree on a name that both honors a relative and appeals to all of you. But what if you dislike the name of the relative that your family suggests, yet you still want to honor your family’s wishes in some way? If you find yourself in a bind, consider these solutions:
- Middle name: Use your baby’s middle name, rather than first name, to honor your relative. Many new parents find that this option presents a middle ground that everyone in the family can agree on.
- Word root: Choose a name that shares a word root with your relative’s name but sounds nothing like it. For instance, if your family wants you to honor your aunt Alexandra, you might name your baby Sasha, a Russian nickname for Alexandra. (In the name listing that follows in this guide, many of the names that have similar “meanings” share roots as well.)
- Nickname: Pick a name that shares a nickname with your relative. For instance, if your uncle’s name was Isaac but he went by the nickname Zach, you could choose Zachary instead. Many pairs of names that are different in full form share nicknames in this manner.
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