What Should I Name My Child? 13 Tips for Finding the Perfect Baby Name How to choose the right first name: What parents should keep in mind

Being pregnant and carrying a growing life inside you is one of the most extraordinary and beautiful times in life. But at the same time, it brings up many questions you’ve never had to think about before. One of the most important, difficult, yet most wonderful questions is undoubtedly: What should I name my child? After all, a first name is a lifelong gift – it stays with your child forever and even appears on their gravestone after death. It’s a core part of their personality and identity.

Every name has a meaningful story, something you pass on to your baby. So go on an exciting journey to find your perfect baby name.

Thomas Mann once said, “The name is part of one’s being and soul” – it will shape your child. That’s why we created CharliesNames, your playful name generator. Our app helps expecting parents find the right name together – easily and intuitively. After all, it takes two to make a baby – and two to name one ;)

If you don’t already have your baby names picked out, here are a few tips to guide your search:

1. Do I like my own name?

Start by asking yourself how you feel about your own name. What positive or negative experiences have you had with it? Was it important to you? If yes, why? These insights can help you make a meaningful name choice for your baby.

2. A first name never comes alone…

It’s always paired with a last name. The two should go well together and avoid exposing your child to teasing. For instance, a short first name often works better with a long last name. Avoid rhymes and awkward sound combinations (like ending and beginning with the same letter). You can test how names sound together in CharliesNames by entering your last name.

3. Initials

Try out the combination of first and last initials. Sometimes they create awkward or unfortunate acronyms.

4. Simplicity

Many names come in different spellings – from “i” to “y”, “f” to “ph”… If you want to spare your child from always spelling their name, go for the common version. CharliesNames shows all spelling variations. Write the name down and see how it looks and feels.

5. Popularity

To avoid your child being one of five Emmas in class, check baby name trends. On our CharliesNames blog, you’ll find the top names by year and country. Psychologists say unique names are easier to remember – common ones are easily forgotten.

6. A lifelong companion

Your baby won’t stay small forever. Always imagine calling them by that name as an adult. Some names feel youthful but not professional. Studies show we associate certain traits with certain names – some old-fashioned ones might come across as less competent or attractive.

7. Meaning

Every name has a history. Some come from places, jobs, family lines, Latin, the Bible, or mythology. Most have a meaning, and if that matters to you, make sure you like it. Our app provides origins and meanings for nearly all names.

8. International Usability

The world is getting smaller. People travel, go on exchanges, or work abroad. A name that’s easy to pronounce in multiple languages is a plus, even if not a must.

9. Nicknames

Joachim becomes “Jo”, Elisabeth becomes “Ellie”. If you don’t like shortened names, pick one that can’t easily be abbreviated – usually short names like “Lia”.

10. Family Harmony

It’s lovely when the new baby’s name fits with the rest of the family. If you already have three kids with short names starting with “M”, you might want to stick to that theme. At CharliesNames, you can filter by first letter, last letter, and length to quickly find fitting names.

11. Associations

We’ve all been there – hearing a name and instantly thinking of someone. Many parents keep the name a secret until birth to avoid “Ugh, I hate that name! My coworker had it.” The most important thing is that you and your partner feel good about it.