How to pick a Name

The suggested method involves generating lists of names you and your partner love and then narrowing down the lists based on how well the names might work for your baby. It's a fun, easy way to come up with a name that has special meaning but is practical as well. Let's get started.

Step 1: Make a List of Names with Special Meaning

Once you answer these questions, turn to the Girls' Names and Boys' Names sections to find interesting spellings or variations based on the names from your list.

Step 2: Narrow the List Based on What Will Work Best for Your Baby

Now that you've each created a list based on personal considerations, it's time to narrow them down based on practical considerations. This way, you'll choose a name that works well for you and for your baby. You may love a particular name, but if it doesn't hold up to these basic criteria, your baby probably won't love it. It can be unpleasant going through fife with a name that for whatever reason doesn't work for you.

Make enough copies of the table on the following page for each name on your list. Have your partner do the same. Rate each name on twelve factors. Example: Consider popularity for the name Jacob - if you think there might be too many Jacobs in his school, check "too popular." Consider nicknames - if you love Jake, check "appealing." Another example: Consider sound for the name Rafael - if it's music to your ears, check "pleasing." Consider its fit with your last name - if you don't think it goes so well with Abramovitz, check "doesn't fit."

When you've completed the table, add up the score by giving three points for every check in the Positive column, two points for every check in the Neutral column, and one point for every check in the Negative column. Scoring each name might help make the subjective process of selecting a name more objective to you.

(Note: If you're pinched for time, mentally complete the table for each name, keeping track of a rough score. The important part is to narrow the list to your top five boys' and girls' names.)

Factors	Positive	Neutral	Negative
1. Spelling	easy	medium	hard
2. Pronunciation	easy	medium	hard
3. Sound	pleasing	okay	unpleasing
4. Last Name	fits well	fits okay	doesn't fit
5. Gender ID	clear	neutral	unclear
6. Nicknames	appealing	okay	unappealing
7. Popularity	not too popular	popular	too popular
8. Uniqueness	not too unique	unique	too unique
9. Impression	positive	okay	negative
10. Namesakes	positive	okay	negative
11. Initials	pleasing	okay	unpleasing
12. Meaning	positive	okay	negative

Final Score: __________

Step 3: Make the Final Choice

List your top five boys' and girls' names in the chart below, and have your partner do the same. It's now time to share the names. If you have names in common, compare your scores; perhaps average them. If you have different names on your lists, swap names and rate them using the same table as before. In the end, you'll have a handful of names that work well for you, your partner, and your baby. Now all you have to do is make the final decision.
Good luck!

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