Once we find out that we’re pregnant we automatically start planning for the future.  We’re curious to know what the gender is, we brainstorm which items they’ll need, and of course we’re thinking about baby names that would fit perfectly for them.  Although we start once we know what the gender is, it is fun to think about it from the beginning too!

Since there are so many baby names out there, how is it possible to just pick one?  Not to mention, how do we find a name that goes good with the middle name?  There is so much to think about when choosing a baby name, that it is sometimes helpful to get tips beforehand.

How to Pick a Baby Name:

Books - I think baby name books are extremely helpful.  There are names in there that you may never even have thought of.  Not to mention, there are books with over 100,000 names to choose from, and from all different nationalities.

To make things easier, check out our top 5 baby name books!

Friends & Family – Do you have any friends or family members that mean so much to you that you would name your child after them?  This is very common, especially when it comes to your parents names. 

Ask – If you don’t want to name your little one after a friend of family member, you can at least get some ideas from them.  Ask which names they like, and which names would sound good with your last name.  They may just come up with the name you’re looking for.

Pick 5 – It’s a good idea for you and your partner to pick 5 of your favorite names.  Write them down on a piece of paper and see if the two of you come up with one of the same names.  If not, go through them, and see which ones you like best.

Combine – From the list of your 5 favorite names, try combining them.  For example, if you had the name Emily and they had the name Lauren you could combine the two for a first and middle name.  Try mixing and matching.

Picking a baby name is something that takes time, and definitely isn’t something that happens overnight.  There are several names out there, do your research, and only settle on a name that you and your partner BOTH like.