You've agreed on everything else — who does the night shifts, where to give birth, which stroller to buy. But the baby's name? That's where things get complicated.
Choosing a baby name is one of the first big decisions you'll make as parents — and one of the most personal. Here are 10 tips that genuinely help.
1. Start with what matters to you
Before opening any name list, ask yourselves:
- Do you want to honor someone in the family?
- Is cultural or religious background important to you?
- Do you prefer traditional, modern, or international names?
- Are you drawn to short names or longer ones?
Your answers will narrow thousands of names down to a manageable shortlist.
2. Say the name out loud — repeatedly
A name that looks beautiful on paper might sound different in real life. Test it:
- "Good morning, [name]!"
- "[Name] [last name], please come here."
- "Hi, my name is [name]."
Listen for the flow between the first and last name. Avoid awkward rhymes, clunky combinations, and unintended nicknames or initials.
3. Think about nicknames
Most names get shortened — whether you plan for it or not. Alexander becomes Alex, Elizabeth becomes Ellie, Sebastian becomes Seb.
Ask yourself:
- What nicknames arise naturally?
- Are you comfortable with them?
- Do the initials spell anything unfortunate?
Prefer short names? Then you sidestep the nickname problem entirely. Short names tend to stay as-is.
4. Check popularity — but don't let it rule you
There's nothing wrong with a popular name. Emma, Liam, and Olivia are popular for a reason — they're beautiful.
But if you'd rather your child not share their name with three others in their class, look up current baby name statistics. Names with moderate popularity offer a good balance between familiar and distinctive.
5. Apply the "20-year test"
A baby name has to work for a lifetime — from the playground to the boardroom. Ask:
- Does this name work for a 5-year-old? A 25-year-old? A 65-year-old?
- Can you picture it on a resume?
- Would you be comfortable with this name yourself?
Trendy names can feel dated after a decade. Timeless names hold up.
6. Consider sibling names (if relevant)
Sibling names don't need to rhyme or match — but they shouldn't clash either.
Good principles:
- Similar "weight" (not Oliver and Bo)
- Avoid names starting with the same letter (confusing in practice)
- Think about whether they feel like they belong together without being too cute (not Lily and Rose)
7. Use middle names strategically
Middle names are a gift when it comes to naming. You can:
- Honor grandparents without giving the baby an old-fashioned first name
- Pair a safe, classic first name with a bold middle name
- Preserve a family name that might otherwise be lost
Middle names are optional and give you extra flexibility — don't overlook them.
8. Use a name-matching tool with your partner
The most common conflict: one of you loves modern names, the other prefers classics. The solution? Browse names independently and find where you overlap.
Apps like Kinder or Baby Name DNA let both parents swipe through names separately — no arguments, just matches. You only see the names you both liked.
9. Sleep on it
There will be moments when you're completely certain — and moments when you doubt everything. That's completely normal.
Experienced parents' advice: write down 3–5 favorites and live with them for a few weeks. The name that still feels right after two weeks of "testing" is probably the one.
10. Remember: there's no wrong answer
Your child will grow into their name. Whatever you choose — made with love — becomes right.
Some parents know the name from day one. Others decide in the delivery room. Both are perfectly fine.
Thousands of people legally change their names every year. So even if you have second thoughts later, it's not the end of the world — options exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we start thinking about baby names?
Whenever you want. Some parents start before conceiving, others wait until after the anatomy scan when they know the sex. You typically have time after birth to make it official — check your country's registration rules.
What do we do when we can't agree on a name?
Try a name-matching app where you both swipe independently. It removes the debate and focuses on names you actually both like.
Should we tell people the name before the baby is born?
That's entirely up to you. Some keep it secret to avoid unsolicited opinions. Others share it openly. There's no right answer.
How many names should be on our shortlist?
3–5 is a good number. Enough to have options, but not so many that you feel paralyzed.
Ready to find the name?
Start your name search with tools that make it fun — not stressful.
More inspiration:
- Classic baby names that stand the test of time
- Short baby names — 3 and 4 letters
- Popular boy names
- Popular girl names