How to Narrow Down your Baby Name List

Search 30000 Baby Name Meanings

And get more name ideas later on.

Written by Monica Beyer

So, you've gotten your positive pregnancy test and have started making preparations for your new arrival. One of the first questions friends, family and strangers will ask is, "What are you going to name your baby?" Picking out a baby name is a huge responsibility and shouldn't be taken lightly, but what do you do when you have dozens of great names picked out and can't decide on the perfect one? Read on to get ideas on how to narrow down your baby name list!

What's most important to you?

You should base your choices by examining your own personal preferences in regards to a name. What is the most important factor to you when thinking of baby names? Must the name have a certain meaning, have a particular name origin or length, honor another person or is the way the name sounds the most important to you? Once you have decided that one (or more) of these factors is the most important, you can cross any names off your list that don't fit your critera. A name might have previously struck your fancy but isn't one you would reallyuse, so deciding your own rules and pruning your list yourself is an excellent starting point.

Combining your lists

You and your partner may have very different ideas in mind for your little one's name. Each of you should spend some time making your own, separate lists, and eliminate the ones that you think would not work as described above. Then, one of the easiest ways to narrow them down is to exhange the lists and mark off any that you simply cannot live with, and your partner will do the same on your list.

Don't hesitate to ask why a particular name was marked off your list -- it may be that your partner knew someone with a bad personality with that name, or they associate the name with a famous person. You might try to convince them that each person makes their name truly special and it will take on new meaning once your baby is born. If this fails to convince them, be sure to keep it in mind when you are crossing off their choices!

Once you have eliminated your partner's choices, make a new, combined list to work from.

Are you and your partner fighting over a baby name? Get tips here on ending baby name wars.

Testing it out

The "come home" test. See how each first name sounds out loud, as if you were hollering out your back door for your child to come home. Combining it with your last name (or even potential middle names) might help eliminate (or solidify) some choices as well.

How would you feel phoning your child's school or making a doctor's appointment using this name?
How easy or difficult will this name be for your child to learn how to spell and write? Pay close attention to how the name would be written, especially when combined with your last name.
Picture the name on a business card or resume.
Write the name out several times yourself combined with your last name. Notice how it looks as well as how it feels to write.
Join our message boards to get and give advice from other parents searching for the best baby name.

Using these techniques will help you get used to the sound and melody of the name and you will be able to keep narrowing down your list until you've arrived at the perfect name. Picking a name for your baby can be easy or it can be stressful, but the good news is that you have 8 months to pick the best name for your boy or girl!