Whether our lives are the sum of a million minor decisions or mapped out for us in the stars, our names are the banner under which we first set sail. While babies are the product of biology, baby names are essentially the product of one very long, wild conversation full of surprising emotions, intense negotiation, family pressure, and, above all, the powerful desire to give a child their first individual asset: a name that will carry them through life as safely, successfully and happily as possible. Choosing a baby’s name is, in many ways, our first act of parenting a new child.
But How Much Is Really Riding on the Baby Name You Choose?
No matter how smoothly the name-choosing goes or how right — or regretful — a baby’s name may ultimately feel, it’s a serious business: To vet a baby name, parents have to contemplate a whole range of future experiences, from the grand — how will it sound prepended by “Dr.” — to the worrisome — just how bully-proof is this name? While there are studies suggesting a correlation between baby names and everything from wealth and longevity to political orientation, names are less a matter of destiny and more a demonstration of the parental willingness to consider everything when it comes to kids. For some parents that means finding strength in tradition, whether that’s rooted in family, history, or global universal appeal. For others, it’s all about differentiation: choosing a name that’s unconventional and ideally unique, a name by which future Google results will deliver only one.
The New Science of Baby Naming
Over the past few years, sophisticated, algorithm-driven baby-name generators have entered the baby-naming game — these run the gamut from free, data-driven tools to subscription-based services like Nameclouds. In theory, they shepherd parents toward the best names by analyzing everything from data on name popularity from the Social Security Administration to name meaning, possible acronyms, syllable count, and even the risks of alliteration.
Should we outsource important life decisions to algorithms? No. But they can be useful tools that help us to feel our way toward the best name for a new person in the world. In short, choosing a baby name is the perfect onramp to parenthood: full of hope, excitement, anxiety, joy, dread, and unsolicited advice. Baby-name trends come and go, but one thing holds true: Selecting a baby’s name is nothing more and nothing less than an expression of love.
Ready to Choose a Baby Name? Start Here.
1,000+ Unique Baby Boy Names That You Won’t Regret
The Social Security Administration has published lists of the most popular names yearly since the late 1800s. These aren’t those names.
254 Old-Fashioned Baby Names For Boys And Girls
Charming, distinctive, and not too obscure these classic names sound wiser than their years.
251 Authentic Southern Names For Baby Boys And Girls
Wouldn't your kid be a badass Birdie or Greer?
1000+ Unique Baby Girl Names You Will Love
Harper's a beautiful name, and there will be three of them in your daughter's kindergarten class.
155 Unique Middle Names for Your Unique Baby Boy
You figured out the first name, but it's not over yet.
161 Historical Baby Names Inspired By Activists And Artists
Inspired by history's coolest, kindest, most courageous figures, these names give your kid big shoes to fill.
115 Cute Middle Names for Girls That Go With Everything
Because choosing one name wasn't hard enough.
The 35 Most Popular Unisex Baby Names In The U.S. (And Then Some)
Shift to neutral.
57 Unique Baby Girl Names That Start With ‘A’
Welcome them to the world — and to the A-Team.
More Inspired Baby Names For Boys & Girls
This List of Clunky, Vintage Baby Girl Names Just Went Viral On TikTok
A TikToker and baby name consultant listed the vintage baby girl names that are beautiful — but not trendy, if unique is your thing.
This Quirky, Nature-Inspired Baby Girl Name Is Trending In Just One State
This name is one of the state’s top five most popular girl names. However, it hasn’t made the shortlist in any other state.
This Lovely Baby Girl Name Is "Blooming" Up All Over The Place
In Vermont, one floral-inspired baby girl name is rising in popularity — surprise, it’s not Lily!
Adele & Rich Paul Are Certified Baby Name Tastemakers
Adele has babies on the brain!
Serena Williams Welcomes 2nd Daughter With The Sweetest Name
Welcome to the world, little one!
These 25 Modern Gender-Neutral Baby Names Are Taking Off
There are endless options to choose from when deciding on the perfect baby name.
Ashley Olsen Just Welcomed Her First Baby — And His Name Is Old-School Cool
Congratulations are in order!
Riley Keough Reveals How Her Baby's Name Honors Granddad Elvis
Keough’s daughter has a unique name that honors her family members.
This Gender-Neutral Name Popped Off In Hawaii & Now It's Trending Everywhere
Move over, Kai Lenny. There are more Kais where that came from.
Europe’s Most Popular Baby Names May Prove The Inspiration Americans Need
The popular names across Europe have a familiar feel — but many are different enough to be unique.
This 'TMNT'-Inspired Baby Name Is Trending — But It's Still Super Unique
Cowababy names for the best dudes and dudettes!
This Baby Name “Uniqueness Analyzer" Will Help You Pick The Most Original Baby Name
Dead set on a baby name, but don’t want your kid to be one of a million Emma’s or Liam’s in her class? Check out this baby name uniqueness analyzer.
These History-Making USWNT Players Named Their Babies Like Champions
Why not look to a soccer champion for some baby name inspo?
251 Authentic Southern Names For Baby Boys And Girls
Wouldn't your kid be a badass Birdie or Greer?
Travis Barker's Punk Rock Baby Name Idea Is Divine '80s Inspiration
“Yo, Adrian!” meets “Institutionalized” in a punk-rock baby name mash-up for the ages.
Barbie & Ken Baby Names? The Dolls May Be Hot, But The Names Are Not
The Barbiecore craze doesn't include baby names, it turns out.
