The Baby Naming Calendar
Nameberry's month-by-month guide to choosing the perfect baby name
Happy New Year, Berries!
As a special holiday thank you for subscribers, we’re publishing this baby naming calendar — your step-by-step guide to the baby name process, divided over the nine months of pregnancy.
If you’re already expecting, go ahead and find your month in the baby naming calendar. And if not, bookmark this page so you can reference it later!
Lastly, this is an extra-long post, so if you’re reading this on mobile you may need to click through to see the entire baby naming calendar.
It’s true: This is the time of year when the most people get pregnant, with September the most common birth month in the US and August not far behind.
That nicely syncs up the baby-naming calendar with the Gregorian calendar, the one commonly used in the US and other Western countries.
If the start of the New Year sees you at Month One in your baby naming (and baby having) process, congratulations! But you can follow this month-by-month guide to choosing the perfect baby name beginning at any time during the year.
Through a series of tasks, questions, activities, reading, and suggestions, we hope we can help you on your journey toward the right name for your baby.
Month One: Ground Rules, Must Haves and Absolutely Nots
The early weeks of pregnancy might involve setting up appointments, adjusting to pregnancy, and a lot of waiting for results. If that wait is dragging on, a good way to distract yourself and pass the time is to open up the naming conversation with your partner, or give yourself space to think about it if you’re naming solo.
In these early stages, it’s good to get a grip on some of the naming basics rather than jumping straight into finding the name. This is the time to establish your and your partner’s naming tastes, what’s important to you in a future child’s name, and any ground rules for your naming journey.
Here are a series of questions you might want to discuss with your partner or ask yourself before the pressure of appointments, baby shopping, and a fast-approaching due date take precedence.
Are there any names you absolutely do not want to use?
The name of an ex, a school bully, or an estranged relative, perhaps? Any names you simply cannot stand? It’s best to take these off the table now.
Are there any family or cultural naming traditions you want to continue?
Whether it’s a middle name passed down through the generations or a rule that the firstborn’s name begins with a J, if you’re naming with a partner, you both need to agree on following the tradition. Discussing this now could help focus the name search later or allow space and time to process any disappointment or uncertainty about whether to follow a tradition.
Is there anyone or anything you want to honor in your baby’s name?
Maybe you want to honor a close friend, a relative who is no longer with you, a special place, or a book that is meaningful to you. Maybe it’s your heritage or a certain quality you want to celebrate. There are plenty of ways to do this, but for now, consider whether the idea appeals to you in general or not.
Does popularity matter to you?
Do you want a unique name that stands out or one that’s tried, tested, and everybody knows? Do you want that middle ground of unique but still familiar? Is it just important that you love the name, regardless of where it ranks in the charts? It might be worth looking at recent name data in your country, along with some predictions for the future as some names may be more popular than you think — or might be soon!
Are there any names you absolutely love that you want to consider?
Perhaps you’ve already got a name or two in mind that you’ve loved forever. Discussing them with your partner now gives you time to adjust to possibly not being able to use them or gives you a sense of direction in terms of style. It might also give you the beginnings of a list that you can expand over the coming months.
Month Two: Creating a List of Possibilities
Now that you’ve covered the ground rules, it’s time to start gathering names! This isn’t about creating a perfect, streamlined list but exploring possibilities and discovering what you enjoy.
It’s up to you to decide how you’ll keep track of your list. You could opt for pen and paper, the notes app on your phone, a spreadsheet, the Nameberry list function or a site such as Listography.
Whatever tool you use, this is the time to jot down anything and everything that catches your eye. At this stage of the game, more is more.
If you’re naming with a partner, you could start this list-making together — or you could do it separately and compile your options later. You can stick exclusively to the ground rules you laid out earlier or include names that don’t quite fit but may generate more ideas or compromises in the future.
Below, we’ve put together a list of helpful resources to get you started. So take a look and see what’s out there!
Top Ranking Choices
These Popular Name Lists are a great way to get a sense of what people are currently using, both where you live and all across the world. This may help you decide which names to avoid, while also introducing you to plenty of new possibilities.
Rare and Daring
Nameberry’s unique name lists are a treasure trove for those wanting something that stands out from the crowd. From wild words to historical choices to names you've never seen in real life, take a look at those beyond Oliver, Charlotte, Matteo, and Mia.
Names with specific qualities
Exploring Names by Letter is a great starting point if you’re looking for a particular set of initials or names similar to those you already like. Equally, exploring Names by Origin is helpful if you want to honor a particular heritage.
Inspired by the natural world
If you love the great outdoors, then this huge list of Nature Names might inspire you — but for a more selective range, check out some of Nameberry’s Favorites.
International Gems
Do you have family across the world and want something that works in multiple languages? This list of the Most Multicultural Names out there might be a great place to start.
The Classics
If you’re hoping for something timeless and versatile, Classic Names are the place to begin. Explore both traditional choices and classic names with a twist!
Brand New Names
If you want something fresh, exciting, and unexpected, the Newest Names on Nameberry may be newly-minted, underused, or currently unfamiliar!
Tailored to your style
Take the Nameberry DNA Test to understand your personal style and get plenty of recommendations selected just for you.
Just for Fun
Check out these Name Generators and Name Quizzes for a fun, light-hearted way of finding inspiration when you don’t want to scroll through endless names or do a lot of searching.
By the end of the month, you will hopefully have a solid list of names to think about. If you’re feeling brave or totally stuck, you could head over to the Nameberry forums to get some early thoughts or to expand your list further! And if you are still feeling unsure about everything at this stage, don’t panic. You’ve got plenty of time and you’ve already made a great start.
Month Three: Exploring Honor Names and Meaningful Choices
This month, we’ll be thinking about honor names, a term we’re using loosely here to include any names that celebrate, symbolize, commemorate, or connect to something or someone important to you. Whether that’s your great-grandmother or your favorite novel, honor names can spark plenty of meaningful inspiration.
You may be set against passing on family names and want your baby to have a name all of their own, or you might already have decided who you want to honor and have a family tradition to uphold. You might still be considering your options.
Whichever point you’re at, try out the following prompts to come up with some new ideas and explore unexpected ways of honoring someone or something valuable to you!
Direct honor names
What are the names of the most important people in your life? If you had to, who would you most like to celebrate and whose name do you like best?
Variations and short forms
Thinking about the names you wrote down for the previous prompt, what international variations, alternative forms, gender swaps, and shortened versions are there of those names?
Jennifer and Karen might not work for you, for example, but perhaps Ginevra and Kaia would. You could check out our list of international variations or visit Behind the Name to see all the alternative forms in one place.
Family surnames
Last names as first names are truly on trend, so note down any family surnames that you could consider. You might use these in their original form, but you could also consider soundalikes, taking just one element, or finding something with a similar meaning.
Ellis and Clark might be totally usable choices, for example, but d’Souza could get you Sosa or Susie, Lyons might lead you to Leander, while Waters might offer you River or Walter.
Soundalikes
Thinking back to your list of direct honors, what names share similar sounds, the same initials, similar letters, or distinctive elements, but reflect your tastes better?
Susannah might get you to Savannah; Martha might lead you to Mars or Arthur; Morris might get you to Moss.
If you’re stuck, visit the Nameberry Forums where our community of Berries are whizzes at coming up with similar sounding options!
Place names
What are your favorite places? What places were or are important to your family and friends? What places are meaningful to you as a couple? Perhaps it is the the destination of a childhood holiday, a honeymoon, a first meeting, or the place someone was born, but place names can make meaningful and unexpected choices.
Books, TV, and film
Think about your favorite novels, authors, TV shows, films, video games, or songs. What names could you borrow from any of those? Think about your partner’s, your friends, or your family’s favorites too — is there a shared love or interest you could honor?
While it’s probably best to choose a name from a finished series to avoid unfortunate associations down the line (we’re looking at you, Khaleesi), popular media plays an important role in our lives, providing connection, conversation, and value. So whether this leads you to Avonlea or Zelda, Darcy or Phoenix, thinking about shared interests and influential reads might be a way to go.
Hobbies, interests, and occupations
Occupational names are very much in style as are wild word names. What are your favorite hobbies? What jobs have important friends and family held? What are their interests and things that they value?
From Fisher to Artie, Tadhg to Poet, and Banks to Marina, honoring a love for fishing, wildlife, teaching or nursing could be a subtle and unexpected way to go.
Virtues
Thinking about the most important people in your life, what values do they display that you admire? What qualities are important to you in general? Check out our lists of virtue names or names by meaning, as a name reflecting faith, kindness, friendship, or loyalty might be a subtle but interesting way to honor someone or something significant to you.
Invent a name
Compound names and invented choices can be hit or miss, but just for fun, what would happen if you blended two of your direct honors from the first prompt together? It might not lead you anywhere, but the names of recent Babyberries have included Ivalene and Lynevra, newly minted names that honor relatives.
William and Albert could get you Wilbert or Wilber, but could equally lead to the inventions of Liamber or Alwim. Claire and Elizabeth could make Clarabeth or Blaire, but also Elizaire or Clariza. These options might not all be usable but it’s okay to have fun with this naming process too!
There are plenty of other ways to honor someone or something, from delving into name meanings, looking at birthstones and birth flowers, or asking them for their favorite names they didn’t get to use, but give the prompts above a go and see if there are any to add to your list.
Month Four: Finding Compromise
Compromise is a crucial yet inevitably difficult part of the naming process — especially if you’re naming the baby with another person. You should both be on board with the choice you’re making, unless one person has fully handed over responsibility. But even if you are naming solo, you might equally need to find a compromise between different styles and name options.
So maybe you like classic, old-fashioned names like Dorothy and Arthur, while your partner prefers modern gems like Dawson and Averie. Maybe you like Jack as much as you do Apollo. Here are some tasks and ideas that might help you find middle ground of any kind.
Compare, contrast, and collate
Write down your Top 10 to 30 favorite name options and get your partner to do the same. Swap lists and divide each other’s names into the categories: Like, Maybe or Neutral, and Dislike. Along with highlighting any names that appear on both of your lists, this will give you a good idea of where compromise might be found — and which names it might be best to let go.
You could also comb through the two lists to see if there are any similar names or names that share particular sounds or elements. One of you might like Bellamy while the other likes Belle, or perhaps Reid and Rhys might appear on your respective lists. While you might not agree on these particular names, they could point you towards sounds that you both like and focus your search for a compromise.
If you’re naming solo or deciding between two opposing styles, you could do a similar activity by splitting your favorite names into different categories — unisex vs. traditionally masculine, modern names vs. vintage gems, for example — and seeing if there are any names that could fit into both categories, or any sounds that come up a lot. You might enjoy contemporary surname-style Beckett and classic Benjamin, which could lead you to Bennett, Benson, or Benedict.
Nicknames that let you have it both ways
Nicknames are your friend when it comes to finding middle ground, allowing you to use two styles at once. You could consider the options below:
Classics with unexpected nicknames
If you’re stuck between unique and popular choices, between wild words and more grounded options, are there any more classic names that could lead to a bold and exciting nickname? This blog offers some great possibilities, from Penelope “Pepper” to Nathaniel “Thane”, from Margaret “Mars” to Timothy “Moth”.
Rare names but popular short forms
Flipping the above compromise method around, are there any rare names with easy-to-wear, familiar nicknames? This blog includes some cool possibilities, from Isadora “Izzy” to Vermilion “Millie”, from Eleazar “Eli” to Oleander “Ollie”.
Unisex nicknames
If one of you is rooting for the likes of Arden and Saylor while the other likes Adelaide and Sebastian, then searching for a name that offers a cool, gender-neutral nickname might be a good idea. Alexandra “Sasha” and Samuel “Sammie” are traditional options. You could also consider Theodora “Teddy”, Isaiah “Izzy”, Zachary “Ziggy”, or Genevieve “Nev”.
Modern choices with vintage nicknames
If your partner favors Huxley, Emryn, and Navy and you like Winifred, Marigold, and Rupert, it might be challenging to sell your names to each other. But there is the possibility of meeting in the middle if you can find something cool and contemporary with a cozy vintage short form. Winter or Winslet “Winnie”, Archer “Archie”, Kennedy “Edie”, Harlem “Hal”, Peyton “Penny”, and Keaton “Kit” are a few ideas to get you started.
You could also consider blending different styles into one or agree on using one person’s favorite in the first spot and the other’s in the middle — or you could take a trip to the forums and ask what names the Berries think would establish some middle ground.
This month’s baby naming time might feel challenging, but we’ll leave you with a few wise words on compromise from members of the Nameberry community.
@Rosajune explains: “[Compromise] sounds like (and can be) a chore, but it’s also a wonderful opportunity to learn about your partner and to make an important, special, and hopefully exciting decision together as a team. Try not to veto anything your partner suggests too quickly — my son’s formal name is actually the one my husband had wanted for years and I always said no to — until it worked perfectly with the nickname we loved for him. So, never say never.”
While another Berry writes: “This one took a bit of work! […] He quickly ruled out some of my long-time favorites, but I also had quite strong opinions on his. We also talked about his family traditions and agreed neither of us wanted to follow along with those naming traditions. Eventually, we came up with a list of names we both liked. Over the years we’ve tweaked our favorites to find the names.”
While you might not have years, you do have months. We hope this reassures you that talking is important, compromise can be wonderful, and that a list of shared favorites is possible to find!
Month Five: Let’s Talk About Middle Names
After a month of compromise and potentially difficult conversations, let’s take a break from your first name list and think about middle names.
So why use a middle name at all? Originally, in Europe at least, middle names originated when parents couldn’t choose between a family name or a saint name for their child and used both. Middle names really took off in the 19th century, when parents realized they could pack multiple family names into each child’s moniker, while also allowing their children to use different names and take on different identities if a situation required.
You can read more about the history of middle names here. Today, middle names are still a common way to honor family members, but they have other purposes as well. They can provide balance by complimenting or contrasting the style of the first name. They can give you the opportunity to use something fun, daring, or unusual that you don’t see as practical for a first name. They also give your child a readily available name to fall back on if they don’t love their first.
Some parents opt for multiple middle names, but if this idea appeals to you, be sure to check the rules in your area around how many characters you’re permitted on legal documents.
If you’ve opted against a middle name, don’t use them within your culture, or already have an honor name planned for the middle place, you can use this time to refine your list of first names.
If you are searching for a middle name and haven’t got any lined up, this blog has plenty of great ideas. Below, we’ve also included a few prompts to help you explore some options:
One syllable gems
One syllable middle names are common — think Jane, Rose, Quinn, and Jack — because they often flow well and make using your child’s full name easy. What are some of your favorite single-syllable names? Which would you pick from this list?
Family middles
Are there any family names you wouldn’t consider naming a baby but might honor? Could you consider a family surname that wouldn’t otherwise get passed down?
A grounding choice
If you love unique names, a simple, familiar middle name helps balance out your baby’s unusual name and gives them the option to go by it if they don’t want to stand out. Which names feel too common to use in first place — James? Elizabeth? — but might be perfect in a supporting role?
Vetoed names
Maybe your partner has already said no to your favorite name, or perhaps you’ve said no to theirs. Maybe you can’t use the one you really love in the first spot for other reasons. Would you or your partner be willing to consider these vetoed faves in the middle?
Wild and unexpected
Some consider middle names to be “anything goes territory”, from words like Fox and Noble to mystical choices like Endellion and Ferelith. What unique names do you love that could make a surprising second name?
Any names on your longer list
Choosing a middle doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’ve got a long list of name loves, why not consider one of those so you get to use two favorites?
Once you’ve got a list going, you can start mixing and matching your favorite first names with your potential middle names. Be sure to visit the forums where our Berry Community has great insight and talent in creating inspiring name combinations.
Month Six: Narrowing Down the List
As you enter the sixth month of pregnancy, you have a good list of potential first names, middle names, and compromises. But perhaps you now have another problem: too many choices!
While you may be busy with other baby prep this month, it might be worth taking some time to look over your names and begin cutting your list down to a manageable number of options. Whether that’s a Top 20 or a Top 5, streamlining and reviewing your options now will feel better than leaving it to the last minute and feeling overwhelmed with choice — or the lack of it.
Letting go of names can feel tough, especially ones that are meaningful, much loved, or that you’ve already started to envision on a child, but we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you.
Go back to your ground rules
Return to your original (or slightly updated) criteria and cross out any names that don’t meet your rules. See what you have left and if that feels manageable to work with.
Read your list aloud
How does it feel to say each name? Which ones roll off the tongue? Which can you envision calling them across a playground? Cross off those that are harder to say and more difficult to imagine on a real-life child.
Rate and rank your list
Rate each of your names out of 10 to see which comes out on top — only keep the highest scorers. If you’re naming with a partner, you could rate your list separately and then compare. Eliminate names you’ve both given low marks or that get wildly varying ratings from each of you.
Alternating, write down a pro and a con for each of your names. Consider if the negatives outweigh the positives.
You might ask trusted family or friends to help test drive names, given that they’ll be important figures in your child’s world. Do people have trouble pronouncing the name or understanding it when you say it? Can they offer insights on name perceptions you may not have access to yourself? Do this with caution though. Negative opinions from people close to you can awaken a lot of doubt, which might lead to name regret if you forgo names you really love.
Make some combos
Try pairing the names with some of your middle name options. Which ones fit perfectly together and feel right to you?
Ask the Nameberry community
Visit the forums and ask the Berries their favorites. Create polls and see which of your names come out on top. Ask Berries to rank or rate your names, or to give general feedback. This will provide outside opinions without the family pressure.
By the end of the month, you will hopefully have a Top 20 or a Top 10, or at least a list that feels manageable.
If you’re still struggling, you could consider a name consultation with an expert. You might send your dilemma in for Nameberry’s weekly Let Us Name Your Baby feature. You could go back through the prompts from previous months and start afresh.
If you are feeling totally frustrated, don’t forget to give yourself a break from the naming process. There’s still plenty of time to decide, so take a week or two away from your list and ban any discussions about names. You may well find you come back to the topic with fresh eyes and different thoughts.
Month Seven: Putting Your Names to the Test
As you enter the third and final trimester, you will hopefully have a shortened list of names, a few first and middle name combinations you like, and perhaps one or two choices that really stand out. Wherever you are in the process, now is a good time to carefully examine your favorites.
This isn’t about overthinking and picking apart a good choice until it disintegrates. Nor is it about undertaking the impossible task of predicting every possible problem a name might evoke.
Rather, it is about considering any obvious issues with your choices — for you or for your child in the future — and deciding which possible issues you can deal with and which you can’t.
From negative associations to troublesome nicknames, here are some questions to ask yourself about your current top name ideas:
Will the pronunciation of the name be intuitive to those around you?
If it isn’t, how would you feel about needing to correct people if they do get it wrong? Can you think of a quick and simple way of helping people understand and remember the pronunciation? A Niamh might be able to say ‘It rhymes with Steve’, for example.
How does the name sound in different accents and languages?
This might not be a big concern for everyone, but if you have family from around the world or plan to travel or relocate in the future, it is worth thinking about how the name would be received or said in other parts of your country or in other parts of the world.
How does it sound when you say it aloud with your surname?
Are they too rhymey or do they share too many of the same letters? Does the name start to feel like a description (take Hazel Green, for example) or does it sound gimmicky or unfortunate when paired with your surname (think Tim Burr or Eileen Dover)?
How does the name sound and feel when you say it aloud?
Does it feel natural? Can you imagine saying it every day? Would close family members be able to say it easily? How about a child?
Does the name have any obvious nicknames?
How do you feel about those? Are there any you absolutely despise and how would you feel if your child decided they wanted to be known by that in the future? If, for example, you love Eleanor but hate Ellie, Elle, and Ella with a passion, then Eleanor might not be the one.
Does the honor name really work?
If you’re honoring someone who is still alive, have you asked them how they feel about being honored? Do they like their name? Do they want to share it with a baby? Would they want it passed on? It’s best to consider this now rather than giving your baby your sister’s name in the middle spot only for her to reveal how much she hates her name, or for her to feel put out that it’s no longer all her own.
What would your child’s initials be?
If you have a middle name option, include that in your considerations. Do the initials spell out anything unpleasant or hard to wear? Is it a reasonably well-known acronym? Sometimes, initials spelling something might be fun or harmless (think JAM, BAR, or FAY), while something like BUM or DIE might be a bit trickier.
Are there any unfortunate rhymes or words that sound similar to the name?
Does it bother you and did you have to really think before you made the association?
Are there any negative associations with the name?
What or who comes up when you start to type the name into a search engine? What happens when you search your favorite first name and your surname together?
Are there any notable celebrities or fictional characters with the name?
How would you feel about people asking or assuming you named your baby after that figure? You might love Hermione, for example, because of its sounds, meaning, and Shakespearean connection, but there’s a chance others will immediately assume you’re a major Harry Potter fan. It’s up to you to decide if these associations or assumptions would bother you.
Would you still love the name if….
If you’ve chosen something because it’s unusual, would you still love it if it suddenly shot up the name charts? If you’ve chosen something because it’s fashionable or because it’s classic and timeless, would you still love it if it suddenly fell out of favor or got labeled ‘dated’?
What about the future?
If you plan to have more children, would choosing the name prevent you from using another much-loved name in the future?
It might be worth another visit to the forums to get extra insight into how others from around the world perceive and think about your names — and potentially reveal how your love for a name withstands hearing less than positive opinions of it.
And remember, if this activity raises a potential downside or concern around a favorite name, it doesn’t mean you have to eliminate it from your list. Pronunciations can be learned, associations fade, and nicknames can grow on you. It’s up to you — and your partner — to decide how you feel about your answers to the questions above.
Month Eight: Deciding on Your Final Options
It’s not long now until you get to meet your baby and choose the final name!
You’ve considered plenty of options, you’ve thought about honor names, and you’ve found compromises. You’ve made combinations, and you’ve streamlined your list after plenty of thought. You’ve got the best of the best names for you.
It’s important to decide how many names you keep in the running to choose from when the baby is born. Perhaps you want one, firm choice that will be the baby’s name no matter what. Maybe you want a solid favorite and a couple of backups, just in case. Perhaps a Top Three or a Top Five to pick from once you’ve met your baby sounds best to you.
Whatever you decide, it’s time to determine your tentative final options — tentative, because you’ve still got over a month to go, and sometimes, even when you’ve settled on the name, actually meeting your baby might slightly change your mind.
You could go about settling on your final options in an objective and balanced manner by considering the following:
Which name/s best fits your criteria and ground rules?
Which name/s have proved most popular among those that you’ve asked?
Which name/s best honors the person, people, values, or interests that are important to you?
Which name/s are statistically where you’d want them to be in the popularity rankings?
Which name/s do you and your partner both agree on?
If you were to make a pros and cons list for each of your names, which name would have the most good points and fewest drawbacks?
Alternatively, your final choices might come down to more abstract considerations such as:
Which name/s just feel right to you?
Which options feel the most special?
Which name/s feel perfectly fitted to this baby?
Which name/s can you imagine using and seeing every day?
Which name/s make you happiest?
These factors are hugely important but also difficult to define because they are so personal to each parent. Several members of the Berry community have explained what it feels like to truly love a name and know that it’s right for you and your child.
One Berry writes: “Where [liking names] turned to love for me, was when a family member announced their pregnancy, and my worry was ‘our name’ would be used. A feeling I have only had over the names my partner and I had picked together. I could actually picture these names on our future child and they made me feel warm, happy, and excited for the future.”
@Rosajune shares “I couldn’t commit [to any names until] my friend suggested a name halfway through my pregnancy. When we continued to say the name, it felt like we were talking about my baby, like it was already his name and he was just waiting for me to realize it. It was far from perfect in my list of criteria, but it didn’t matter. My criteria went out the window because this name made me glow when I thought about it, and smile when I thought about introducing him that way. If 100 people told me they didn’t like his name, I don’t think I would have cared a bit. As a people pleaser by nature, that was my indication that I was/am in love with his name, and knew it was the one!”
Whether you go with what simply feels right or approach it more methodically, by the end of the month, aim to have a name (or two or three or five) locked in for your new arrival.
Month Nine: Feeling Confident and Comfortable with Your Baby Name
You’ve got a big month ahead of you, and with your list hopefully narrowed down to just a few favorite choices now, you can focus on making final preparations for your baby along with taking care of yourself.
However, if naming is still causing stress or if you’re suddenly doubting your top choices, here are a few final words of advice and reassurance:
It’s okay if you don’t get that it’s perfect feeling
While some people may be able to envision that single name on their unborn child and just know it’s right, not everyone will experience that golden feeling. Some parents need to meet their baby before any name feels perfect — and that rightness comes because the name is attached to your new arrival.
Nameberry Editor-in-Chief, Sophie Kihm has these words of wisdom: “Part of the reason a name shines is because it’s attached to your child. Their name and identity are merged, so it reflects not just the qualities of the name, but your child’s entire being.”
Remember why you love the name
If you’re suddenly doubting your choice and worried others won’t like it, you could visit the forums and ask the Berries to share what they like about the name or what feelings it gives them. You could go back to your ground rules and your original lists and remind yourself of the reasons the name or names are important in the first place.
Moreover, sitting with the fact that others may not like your choice is good practice for the journey ahead of you. Not everyone will agree with every parenting decision you make and you may have to make choices for your child that others don’t understand.
You might need to compromise (again)
If you’re still utterly undecided, it might be worth considering which names you (and your partner) like most out of those on your list, even if there are cons and doubts over all of them. You may need to let go of some of your criteria and demands for a name because one name might not be able to do it all.
You still have time to think
Find out how long you have after your baby is born before you need to register or decide on an official name. In the UK, it’s 42 days, whereas in the US, it may vary by state. Knowing your time frame could give you a bit of breathing space to get to know your baby before putting anything in writing. Some parents also choose to register their children with a placeholder name (such as Baby or Babygirl) and then change it later. You have time.
Practicing might be essential
If you have managed to narrow your list down but are still feeling uncertain, you could practice saying your baby’s name aloud or calling your baby by the name so it becomes familiar. You could practice writing it out or designing a personalized wall sign or blanket. This might help you feel more connected and comfortable with your choice.
Take some comfort from others
Finally, you could read this article in which Berries share some of the reasons why they chose their baby’s names and how they feel about it now. Or this one about loving your baby’s name. These insights might help to reassure you that you can make a decision that you will feel happy with.
Thank you for following along with this guide and we sincerely hope it helped you with the sometimes difficult yet joyful process of naming a baby. We wish you the best of luck in these final weeks of your pregnancy and we are absolutely sure you will pick a beautiful, well-thought-out name for your baby.
If you do have a spare moment at some point in the future, we’d love to know what you decided in the end! If you feel comfortable in doing so, head over to the Birth Announcements page and let us know what you chose for your baby and how you got there!
Just remember, it will be searchable via a search engine and visible to people who aren’t Nameberry members, so be sure to only share what you are happy to be online.