[name_m]Hi[/name_m] guys, I’m new here and also expecting my first baby. Before this moment, I never really stopped to pay attention to names. I would look at [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] and [name_f]Grace[/name_f] and think “a boring…” and one or other name would also make me think “Oh, that’s such a pretty name…” but never did I like names enough to make lists or plan to use them on future pets, characters and babies like many here.
So I kind of find myself in this whirlwind situation and in just a few months I’ll have to name a baby and don’t even know from where to start… I have never loved a name!
It would be great to get some tips from other users and to learn about your processes of choosing and discovering names and figuring out where your niche is (if there are any?).
I’d start by trying to think of the names where you think ‘oh that’s nice’, then I use the think on nameberry that lets you look at what other people who’ve looked at that name have liked. (Eventually you might end up going round in circles because they’re all quite linked, but that’s ok).
Also don’t worry if the first lot of names you like are all quite different - it’s ok to like different styles of names and you can always have small lists if they styles are quite different. e.g. I love [name_f]Alice[/name_f], but I also love [name_u]Piper[/name_u], [name_f]Arianwen[/name_f], and Marjaery. You might discover a particular niche, I lean more towards names like [name_f]Alice[/name_f] when thinking of names that I might actually use.
Congratulations! If you’ve never made lists, maybe this is a good time to start? [name_m]Just[/name_m] write down a couple of names you like and then possibly use the Namehunter tool here on Nameberry? It suggests names in the same style as the ones you put in.
I also like to use the website 20.000names - it has A LOT of lists and A LOT of “different” names, in the sense of, names of different cultures. You could start going through Italian names there, or [name_m]German[/name_m] names, or names related to fire, or names related to being friendly.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] keep writing down what you like. I never delete names from my lists. It can’t hurt to make your own baby name booklet with all your options in it!
This “quiz” might help you get an idea of what style names to start looking at. You choose the name you like the most (or dislike the least) in each line and it will give you a result based on your choices. For example, it says my style is
20% Modern Eccentric
20% Classic Conservative
20% Classic Modern
15% Modern Unusual
15% Classic Eccentric
5% Modern Conservative
5% Classic Outmoded
Each name style has a link you can click on that describes it and gives you examples of names fitting that category.
Your personality type is: Classic Eccentric : 35%
Your personality type is: Classic Unusual : 30%
Your personality type is: Classic Conservative : 20%
Your personality type is: Modern Conservative : 10%
Your personality type is: Classic Outmoded : 5%
Your personality type is: Modern Eccentric. : 0%
Your personality type is: Modern Unusual : 0%
I would start of thinking about the names that have stood out to you & go from there. Listography.com is good place to make lists & sort out what your favorites. A lot of people on here have them! You can start following other people & look at their lists/ideas. Here is the link to mine to get you started (if you want): listography: error. You can also make lists here on Nameberry.
Nymbler.com & Namehunter under the names tab on this website are good places where you can type the name or names you like & it will give you suggestions based on your style. Behindthename.comis a good place to find the actual meanings of names. This site can be a bit iffy sometimes & not 100% correct. However, the forums here are very active & you can get a lot of feedback if you post a thread! They also have a lot of great lists here where you can get a lot of good ideas!
If you look at names long enough your style will evolve too. I’m 26 years old & started getting into names around 18/19. My style is totally different than what it used to be. I know you’re expecting so you may or may not look at names once you have your baby.
It seems like you need to decide on what style you like… short names, long names, feminine, gender neutral, classic or unique, unusual. If you think [name_f]Sarah[/name_f] and [name_f]Grace[/name_f] are boring, id guess you want something unusual.
I’d suggest looking at names from your family and friends and making a list and then divide them into ones you like and ones you don’t care for. [name_f]Honor[/name_f] names are a good way to find names. Another idea is to look at name list from the past. SSN list are good. That way you can figure out if there is a certin decade or type of name that you like. Another idea is to look at other countries names. Some of them are don’t work well in English speaking countries but other do work and sound cool and unique. Good luck!
@lemondrops, DH & I took a long time to have a name ready for baby#1.
[name_m]Reading[/name_m] name books can be numbing.
There was a thread on this forum quite reecently asking where berries get inspiration or source names from. Maybe if you scroll back -it was a great thread.
My main tip! I called the cat my favorite name e.g. [name_m]Dominic[/name_m], for as long as I could stand it - the repetition soon sorted it out for me.
Finally DH ‘discovered’ a name that has 3 generations in my family including my 2nd cousin who I sat next to in school for years and always loved his name. So I knew it would stand the test of time. This can be hard for some -to go with a [name_m]New[/name_m] love or an old favorite. You will likely know yourself which will suit you best.
Good luck.
