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Choosing A Baby Name

If you are not sure how to name your baby, these tips will help you narrow down your choices and find out which names are trending right now.

While some parents start searching for a name months ahead, others wait until the baby is born. It is not an easy decision because there are so many things you need to consider including the length, simplicity, sound and the meaning of the name. Whether you prefer modern, traditional, or a mix between the two, make sure you do your research before you start making your list. If you can’t decide between several options or you need some new ideas, these tips might help you find the right one.

Be original

When choosing a name you can opt for something traditional, or try to be innovative. We suggest to be creative and pick a name which is unique, but don’t opt for something too exotic or eccentric which might be too much for your child to cope with at school. Some names can be turned into a joke, so if you think you have found an original name, ask yourself if it can be ridiculed. Also think about how the name sounds with your last name.

Check which names are popular

If you don’t want your child to have a name that was picked by thousands of other couples, check which names are on trend at the moment, and try to pick a baby name that isn’t extremely popular. In 2015, the top ten girl baby names in Australia included Charlotte which was by far the most popular one after the birth of the royal baby, followed by Olivia, Amelia, Ava, Sophia, Zoe, Mia, Lily, Isla and Evie. Ten trendiest names for boys were Oliver, Noah, Jack, Lucas, William, Jackson, James, Max, Charlie and Isaac.

Keep it simple

While trying to be original, you might end up choosing a baby name which is a tongue twister or is too long and complicated. This is why we advise to couples to choose names that are relatively simple to read and write. Consider the cadence and make sure that the word does not exceed the average length. The spelling should be simple as well if you want to save your children from potential embarrassments.

Think about nicknames

The name you pick should sound good in its longer and shorter version. Always try to think of all the nicknames that can be associated with a name. It is better to choose a name that can be shortened into a number of nicknames because the child will have more options to pick one. And, of course, if you can think of a joke nicknames, then it probably isn’t the ideal choice. We suggest letting a close relative or friend know the name and also get their opinions.

Consider the meaning

One of the key parameters for choosing a baby name is also the meaning. If you have a few names on your list, then analyse the meanings because this might help you make a decision. If a name is associated with positive meanings such as strength or love, you may want to pick them instead of other names which sound smoother or can generate cuter nicknames.