Do you want the two names to sound alike, to put an emphasis on the two babies being twins?  Which name do you give to which baby?  Will the names sound too alike?  Do the names match when pronounced together?

There are many factors to consider when naming twins.  The following tips can help make the naming process easier. 

1. Naming twins with the same first initial can make the two names match automatically and give you much lenience when it comes to choosing each name.  After all, you are only bound to the first letter.  This is one of the most popular naming methods among parents.  Another similar option is naming babies with similar name endings, which can add a very special similarity to the names without sounding too much alike.

2. One of the biggest concerns of parents looking for similar sounding twin names is how similar should the name be?  It is best not to give two names that sound too much alike.  There are both practical and psychological reasons.  You and others will be calling your children by their names their whole lives.  You may not want a situation of constant confusion as to which name was called.  Just because two children are twins, doesn’t mean that they are one person.  Giving each baby a name that sounds at least slightly different from the other can help them feel more distinguished in the family and add to their sense of self.

3. Anagrams are another solution for twin names.  Anagrams are created by rearranging the letters in one name to form another.  Amy and Mya are an example.  Not all the letters have to match or be present in both names, so this method can give parents a chance to play around with their choices. 

4. Themes are a great way to give twin names a subtle connection.  Themes can be as varies as religion and spirituality, place names, and ethnicity.  An even more subtle theme for names is common meaning.  You may want to give your twins names that may not necessarily sound alike but have a common meaning or translation from a certain language.  Consider positive meanings such as peace, love or strength.

5.  Consider the length and style of your name choices.  It is best to give names to twins that are similar in these aspects.  For example Sebastian and Cole is a kind of name combination you may want to avoid. 

Some names may just sound good together.  If you have a set of names that just feels right to you, without an obvious connecting theme or style, then this may be the right choice.  Often intuitive naming is the best way to go.  You may want to avoid sharing your name decision with others until the birth of the baby.  This way you will avoid negative criticism from friends and family.  The names you have chosen are close to your heart, and hearing the opinion of others may needlessly make you second-guess your decision.

According to the latest national statistics, the following twin baby names have been chosen by more parents in 2006 than any others:

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