Baby Names! It is often said that you never realised how many people you didn’t like until the time came to name your first born… never mind baby number two or three. Choosing my daughter’s name had to be the hardest decision I have ever made. To top it off, when she was born, all of the names I had chosen went out the window, and I named her something different entirely.
So let’s make things a little bit easier with this guide to naming your baby.
The perfect place to start is with members of your family; maybe you might want to use your mother’s, father’s, uncle’s, grandmother’s or great-great aunt’s name. This will provide you with lots of classic, meaningful names.
I gave my daughter my mother’s name as her middle name, and my daughter is proud that she is named after her nanny.
If that fails, you can narrow things down a little bit by deciding if you want to name your newborn baby a traditional name or something a little unique. I originally had Grace and Amelia picked out but after 24 hours of labour and pushing a baby out of you know where I was feeling quite brave, so I went the unique route in the end.
If you’re looking for something traditional, the top three names for boys are George, Luke, and Max. For girls, the top three names are Lily, Sophie, and Olivia.
BOY NAMES & MEANING | GIRL NAMES & MEANING |
Henry (House Ruler) | Amelia (Industriousness) |
Jack (God is Gracious) | Charlotte (Free Man) |
James (Supplanter) | Grace (God’s Grace) |
Leo (Lion) | Isabella (God Is My Oath) |
Liam (Strong Willed Warrior) | Lily (Innocence) |
Max (Greatest) | Lucy (As of Light) |
Noah (Rest) | Matilda (Mighty In Battle) |
Oliver (Olive Tree) | Mia (Beloved) |
Thomas (Twin) | Olivia (Olive Tree) |
William (Resolute Protector) | Sophia (Wisdom) |
If you’re looking for something a little bit different, there are plenty of unique baby names on the list as well. For boys, some unique names include Milo, Landon, and Rowan. For girls, some unique names include Aurora, Willow, and Quinn.
BOY NAMES & MEANING | GIRL NAMES & MEANING |
Avery (Ruler of Elves) | Adley (God is Just) |
Bohdi (Enlightenment) | Addison (Son of Adam) |
Finn (Fair) | Cordelia (Heart) |
Foster (One Her Keeps The Forest) | Emery (Power) |
Gilroy (Son of the Red-Head) | Khaleesi (Queen) |
Jagger (Hawker of Goods) | Luna (Moon) |
Kaden (Companion) | Nyla (Successful One) |
Kingsley (King’s Meadow) | Paisley (Church) |
Luka (Bringer of Light) | Viola (Violet) |
Wyatt (Brave at War) | Zahra (Flowering) |
Keep in mind, when selecting what to name your baby to choose a name that you love but also your child will thank you for make sure the name you choose is easy to pronounce and spell.
I know so many people who have struggled with this their whole lives. Their parents decided to give them a name with unique spelling, and although it is beautiful, they deal with the frustration of having their name mispronounced and spelt every day. How annoying! I will add, though, that growing up, I was desperate to spell my name Hayleigh instead of Hayley because it lends itself better to a pretty signature, but that is not the point!
Another thing which, of course, you have to take into account is your last name. Have you seen the ad on tv for “Callum Murray”? Lucky, he picked that up pretty quick! It could have been a tough life for that little one. It makes me giggle a little, but it is a wonder we have so much trouble picking a name. Not only do we have to find one we love, but we have to have it match our last names. If you’re stuck, my top tip is to make a list of your favourite names and then say them out loud with your last name. You will be surprised how many names sound odd when you put them together.
Once you’ve found the perfect name, don’t be afraid to be unique and go with your gut. Don’t worry about what other people think. This is your baby, and they will love whatever name you choose for them. After all, it’s your baby, and you get to choose what their name is.
As hard as choosing a name is, it is also so fun and exciting! Have fun with it, and enjoy the process. Don’t get too stressed about the process and if all else fails, you can always name them after me.
In all seriousness, though, I guarantee that whatever name you choose in the end will be perfect for your little one. So good luck! And congratulations on your new arrival!
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