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Every minute, 250 babies are born! While no two are exactly alike, they all have one thing in common: a name.
As parents hold their brand new bundle of joy, they think about the perfect name for their babe. It’s an exciting decision, but can be stressful for some!
So if you're lying in bed every night wondering “what should I name my baby," don't worry! We're here to help. Our baby-naming guide will help you select a name that's right for you and your little one. Check out our tips for baby naming in 2022:
BABY NAMING ADVICE
Parents have a lot of resources at their disposal when it comes to brainstorming baby girl or boy names. Below are a couple of tips on starting a names list based on your family’s personal history and some not so common sense. For more detailed advice, read about last year’s baby-naming trends and tips.
- Leverage your family tree for inspiration
- Whether your Irish or Japanese, your culture is rich with naming ideas
- Take into account nicknames or monikers
- Don’t forget about choosing a good middle name
- Be mindful of your baby’s initials
- Always double check name meanings or origins
- Above all, don’t stress, you got this!
CHOOSING A NAME
TIMELESS BABY NAMES
Here are a few examples of names that transcend generations and are suitable for both your little and the adult they’ll become!
- Amelia
- Nora
- Cameron
- Susannah
- Elijah
- Alexander
- Quinn
- Nicholas
- Anastasia
- Charlotte
ECCENTRIC BABY NAMES
In 2012, about a third of parents chose a name outside the Top 1000 baby names, as compiled by the Social Security Administration. If this sounds like you, consider these unusual names. (Perhaps choose a middle name that's a little less avant-garde?)
- Aurelia
- Atticus
- Levi
- Bronwin
- Rome
- Greer
- Alastair
- Brooklyn
- Maverick
- Ophelia
UNIQUE BABY NAMES WITH GROWING POPULARITY
The sweet spot for many new parents is a name that's relatively rare but isn't too far out of bounds. Here are some options:
- Matteo
- Nova
- Mia
- Kai
- Maeve
- Sawyer
- Charlotte
- Luca
- Zion
- Cambria
TRIED AND TRUE BABY NAMES
These well-known baby names continue to stay at the top of the popularity charts. Consider the names that top the list of the Social Security Administration's top names over the last 100 years. The top five boys' and girls' names are:
- James
- Noah
- Liam
- Oliver
- William
- Olivia
- Sophia
- Ava
- Amelia
- Emma
BABY NAME GENERATORS
If you need a little more inspo, a baby name generator can be helpful (and fun)! These online tools work in a variety of ways to suggest names for you. Some let you enter names that you like to build a list of options while others pair baby’s last name with potential first and middle names. Some popular generators include:
NEXT YEAR'S PREDICTIONS
Picking your babe's name is one of the most important and exciting things you'll do during your pregnancy. It can be a lot of fun! We hope this baby-naming guide helps you narrow down your choices and get one step closer to your baby's due date.