Baby Name Lists

Are you looking for simply lists and lists of baby names to look through? This might not be the most productive approach to choosing a baby name. You want baby name lists that include important information about the name, including what the name means. You might also consider baby name lists that show the most important person associated with that name. For instance, even if you like the sound of the name Adolf, for people who hear the name, it will forever be associated with Adolf Hitler. On the other hand, some names, like Marilyn (Monroe) or Gwyneth (Paltrow) could have positive associations. Knowing the meaning of a name as well as the associations of a name can help you best choose, which is why you want an informative list.

Perhaps you are considering naming your child something from a different culture, yet you feel unfamiliar with the culture and are wary about choosing. Your best bet is to do some research in a few different books, and then if you can, ask someone of that culture to help you choose. They will probably be flattered and honoured that you have shared in the special moment of naming a baby with them. You can also refine the pronunciation. For instance, if you name your child Siobhan, yet you don’t know that it’s pronounced like Chevonne or Shevon, it could be embarrassing for your child as they grow up.

Maybe you’ve found a number of baby names that you like. This is the best time to start your shortlist. A shortlist is a baby name list that you’ve compiled (by yourself or with your partner or friends) from many sources, of names that you enjoy. If you are having trouble compromising on a name, you might want to consider setting ground rules for how the shortlist will work.

One way to create a baby name list is to have each person pick 10 or 15 names that they really like. These names are added to make a list that is 20-30 names long. Then each partner gets to veto 5 (or a pre-arranged number) off the list, with no questions asked. This narrows the list. After this, it is best to discuss each of your options from your baby name list. Don’t try to move too quickly through this process. You can create your list one week, then veto from it the next (perhaps a name will grow on you in that time; perhaps a name will lose its luster in that time). Trying to settle on a baby name in one night is not only difficult, it doesn’t benefit anyone. Taking your time will only help your baby get the best name it deserves.

Even though the miracles of modern technology have allowed parents to discover the sex of the baby before it is born, some parents choose to find out the sex of the baby at birth. If you are waiting to discover the sex of your baby, you have a few options: you can make two lists, one with boys’ names and one with girls names. You can also make a list of names that you like for both a boy or a girl: Morgan, Chris, Leslie, Robin, Pat, Parker, and others have become androgynous names that will suit a baby of either gender.