How to Pick a Baby Name (10 Things to Consider)

Are you struggling to pick a baby name? It’s one of the most permanent decisions you will ever make in your life, so don’t do something that will make you regret it.

There are so many choices that you will need days to check all of them. But the question of “How to pick a baby name?” remains a headache for parents.

So, this article will bring up some ideas to solve your problems. Follow the guide and find the best name for your little angel!

Baby Name Guide

According to research, a person’s name may affect their life in some aspects. Moreover, even when you are thinking of the first name, try to stick it with the middle and last name.

Here are key points to check to come up with the best option for your child.

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1. Sound, rhythm, and length

It’s interesting to find out that although the name is yours, other people use it more often. Thus, sound, rhythm, length, and pronunciation are essential when choosing a name.

Easy to pronounce

Researchers from New York University discovered that those with more easily pronounced names often hold higher-status positions at the workplace. So you don’t want your baby’s name to be hard to pronounce. Elon Musk’s son’s name “X Æ A-12” is a good example.

White-sounding names

According to research from The Atlantic, applicants with white-sounding names like Greg Baker and Emily Walsh received over 50% more callbacks than those with black-sounding names like Jamal Jones and Lakisha Washington.

Short names

Linkedin executed research in 2011 on more than 100 million profiles and found some names that are most closely connected with the CEO role.

The popular male CEO names were short and often had one syllable, like Peter, Bruce, or Jack. According to a name expert, male CEOs prefer nicknames to show friendliness, while female CEOs use full names.

2. Popularity

You can check the popularity of a baby name in the USA from actual birth records and birth certificates of children born annually. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has gathered all information for you and published it on its website.

It’s necessary to know how popular a name is when you want to give it to your baby. Choosing a trendy name is good, but the trend won’t last for the next 10 or 20 years.

Common names don’t always mean boring. But before picking popular names, consider these points.

Uncommon Names vs. Juvenile Criminal Behavior

According to a study by Shippensburg University, first name popularity and adolescent criminality are strongly connected. They claimed that unpopular names tended to go with juvenile delinquency more than popular ones.

The names themselves are to blame for the criminal conduct. However, they are among the elements that make people more likely to engage in juvenile delinquency, including a low socioeconomic level. However, this study did not provide specific data to support its claims.

Job Opportunities

Based on Marquette University research, popular names are often the likable ones. People with popular names have more job opportunities, while those with rare names suffer fewer chances.

Baby Name Affects Behavior

In their 1996–2000 study of a huge Florida school system, researchers from Northwestern University revealed that boys with names that are often given to females behaved worse in middle school and were more likely to annoy their friends. Moreover, their peers had more disciplinary issues and got lower exam results because of behavioral problems.

As you can see from the research, people with more familiar names have more chances in life. Although this idea doesn’t apply to all cases, it means something you should follow rather than not.

3. Meaning and Origin

This step is essential to ensure you don’t select a name that will horrify you. Giselle, for example, may sound lovely to you, but do you know its meaning is “hostage”?

Meaning and origin are the two things that people look up to the most when thinking of a name for their children. Something meaningful will make a good choice.

The name also shows how you wish your baby to become. Do you want him to be a brave or intelligent person? There are options for all ideas.

You can check the name in various cultures and languages to be sure it has a significance you can relate to. For instance, Hugo, a Spanish name, means “bright spirit and mind.” While Akay, a Turkish moniker, refers to “shining moon.”

Another critical thing to note is that some regions ban naming children with something related to historical problems. Hence, look up the meaning of potential names first before giving them to your babies.

4. Family tree

Your family tree is a terrific place to look for ideas. Maybe your parents keep old lists of family names, or someone in your family owns the family genealogy.

Take a look to find something extraordinary. Choosing a lovely name that is meaningful to you and your family is an act of kindness that nothing can compare.

5. Possible nicknames

Consider any disturbing nicknames that other kids or adults could use for your kid. Make sure it doesn’t directly rhyme with a bodily part and function if you decide to opt for an odd name.

You can give an intelligent 10-year-old kid you know your options. Find out how many nicknames he can think of when they hear the name. If he suggests ten and some sound bad, look for other options.

6. Middle names

You could select your baby’s middle name simply because it goes well with their first and family names.

Rose, Jane, and Grace are some of the hottest middle names for newborn girls today. You might go to the classic options for boys like James, Joan, or Thomas.

On the other hand, you might also use the middle name to pay tribute to your beloved aunt or grandma. Also, you can use it to hide the last name.

7. Consider all the initials.

Kids can be rude. Names are among the most common things they use to bully their friends. Just like nicknames, the initials of your child’s name can be a target for mean kids.

As a result, ensure your child’s initials don’t spell something offensive or weird, like Anthony Simon Samuels (A.S.S) or Clair Octavia Wallace (C.O.W).

8. Similar names

A name that sounds close to the one you love may help you get the name you want or make that unique name appear more acceptable. It can also fix a problem with meaning, initials, or nicknames.

For example, you like the name Anthony Simon Samuels, but its initials annoy you. In this case, change “Anthony” to “Phillip if you adore how Simon Phillip Cowell succeeds in his life.

9. Numerology

If you care about horoscopes and astrology, you should consider how numerology relates to your baby’s name.

You can use only the first name, but most numerologists believe that using a full name gives a more accurate result.

The total of the name numbers, which resonate with different energies and sentiments, creates the numerology numbers.

The Chaldean numerology system allocates alphabets into numbers between 1 and 8. It doesn’t include the number 9 as Pythagorean. You can calculate a name’s numerology number using the chart below.

There are three numerals in the system:

• Destiny number (Expression number) counts all the letters in your name. It tells who you are, referring to your destiny and life’s purpose.
• Heart’s Desire number (Soul Urge number) includes the vowels in your name to describe your inner resources and potential.
• Personality number only counts the consonants in your name. You can use it to illustrate your personality.

So, if you want to name your baby “Teena,” you can calculate its numerology number like this:

• Destiny number = T + E + E + N + A = 4 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 1 = 20 = 2 + 0 = 2
• Heart’s Desire number = E + E + A = 5 + 5 + 1 = 11 (Master number)
• Personality number = T + N = 4 + 5 = 9

Do not sum them if you get 11, 22, or 33. Instead, list them as 11/2, 22/4, and 33/6. They are master numbers and powerful. Hence, when we have 11 for the Heart’s Desire number, keep it instead of summing the two digits like 20 for the Destiny number.

Please note that it’s still better to use your full name for the calculation. The word “Teena” is an example of how the system works.

After calculating the number, we get 2, 11, and 9. We have a detailed guide to decoding these numbers. Let’s check it to explore the secrets.

10. Google The Name

Before deciding on a name, always Google it. Search for the name alone and then with the family name later. You may discover some shocks.

Some names are common. You never know if your baby may share his name with an adult film actor or a criminal. It’s not good to see your baby’s potential name show up on Google this way.

Besides, googling your chosen name without the family name will tell you if the name is a slang phrase in any culture. Finally, once you google a name, you will find out its meaning and origin. The truths will surprise you sometimes.

What to Do If You Can’t Decide On a Baby Name?

Couples have disagreements. When you become a parent, choosing the name for your baby can be the source of argument. So what to do if you two can’t decide on the name? The tips below can help you team up on this important decision.

1. Exclude The Worst Names

Set some fundamental standards that both of you can agree on first. It might be easier to agree on things you dislike than things you love.

For example, your husband doesn’t like Peter because he had a friend with that name who bullied him during his childhood. Or, you don’t want your kid to be named Jason because it was your ex-boyfriend’s name.

You two have boundaries. After excluding the terrible names, the ones on your list will all be acceptable.

2. Take Turns to Choose

If the two of you can’t agree on a name for your child, consider a different way to name him. For instance, your partner chooses the male names while you pick the girl names.

You may always switch naming your children if you want to have more than one. You can name your second baby if your husband chooses the first baby.

3. Ask a Third Person

This baby-naming thing may become quite serious. Sometimes you’ll determine that getting the referee involved is easier.

Although it may sound weird at first, choosing the name with the help of a third party is rather typical. This decision can occasionally manifest itself in the form of calling the newborn by a dear loved one.

After you have limited the list of names, you can ask one of your other kids, your family members, or friends about the names they like.

If you’re brave enough, you may create a poll on your social media account, so other followers can suggest their ideas.

4. Decide between two names

Now there are only two names on your list. Yet, the goal is to select one. How can you make the final decision?

Insert the names in the “Happy birthday” song

You’ll probably be singing “Happy Birthday” every year because your child will grow and be happy with his life. The interesting part about this song is that you will insert the name of the party owner in the lyrics.

Double-barreled names are delightful at first. But imagine that you will add Gabriella-Marie to the “Happy Birthday” song and sing it year after year. How can you fit the six-syllable name into the song?

Think about how the name will sound when your kid gets older

Regarding longevity, remember that your child’s name will last until maturity.

Although a name like Bunny will fit your little boy when he is still in baby clothes, it will be weird when he is a lawyer in his forties.

Choose it randomly

Do not feel too pressured when naming your baby. Moving to this step means that the final two options will be good.

So why don’t you just chill with it? Simply write the names on different pieces of paper and pick one up. Destiny says that it must be your baby’s name.

Say it out loud

If you have the last name and middle name, the first name should go well with them. You can try speaking the full name out loud to test how it sounds. The better one will win the round.

FAQs

1. How long do you have to name a baby?

You usually have 24 to 48 hours after delivery to name your newborn before the mother can go home. And if the mother has a C-section, she has 72 hours to think of a name for her child before going home.

2. How much does it cost to change a baby’s name?

The cost is typically from $15 to $50, while some governments exclude low-income applicants from paying fees.

You can ask the Office of Vital Records in your area if you want to change your child’s name officially and legally.

Many counties allow new parents 6 to 12 months without court permission to modify a child’s birth certificate.

3. Does my baby have to have the father’s last name?

No. Whether you have got married or not, a child has no obligation to have either parent’s last name as his. Moreover, he doesn’t have to have his father’s last name to be regarded as “legitimate.”

Conclusion

Naming a baby is never easy because you know it will follow your child till the final line.

Aside from the rules regulated by your local government, you won’t have to follow any specific rules for this job. So, feel free to choose a meaningful name for your newborn.

Hopefully, this article can help you pick up the best baby name. Don’t forget to consult your partner, family, and friends. They may recommend interesting ideas.