Congratulations on your newborn! This is an exciting time. One of the first major choices that you have to make is what to name your little girl. Many parents don’t know where to start when it comes to choosing a girls name. If you’re having a baby girl, consider using these top five tips to choose a name:
1. Consider family names
A lot of people want to help carry on their family legacy by naming their children after older relatives. Does your family tree feature a particular name that has been passed from one generation to the next? Maybe your great aunt’s first name is Jane and your aunt’s middle name is Jane. If you find a name that you like, consider using it as a part of your girls name.
You can also start a generational connection by being the first to name your child after someone else in the family. If you’re not in love with the names of immediate relatives, talk with your family to learn the names of relatives who are several generations older. A great great grandmother or great great great aunt may have a wonderful name that you’d love to bring back into the family.
2. Think about favorite characters
When naming someone, many people want to use a strong name or one that brings to mind awesome people. One way to do that is to name your child after a favorite character. Perhaps you love Harry Potter and can consider Ginny, Hermione or Luna for your daughter’s name. Or, maybe the show “New Girl” is more your style, so names like Jessica, Cece and Reagan will make your list. Look to your most-beloved books, TV shows, movies and even comic book characters for inspiration.
3. Keep your last name in mind
A first name must go well with it’s accompanying last name. A great way to tell if a potential name for your daughter will sound good with her last name is to say her full name aloud. “Sarah Jessica Parker,” for example, has a ring to it. It flows off the tongue. “Zoe Cathy Johnson” is a bit awkward. There is no scientific formula here, so go with your gut.
4. Look to nature
The natural world features many beautiful feminine names that evoke grace and elegance. Consider picking up a copy of a plant field guide and thumbing through the pages. Azalea, Marigold and Rosemary are just a few options that refer to plants but are also trendy female names. Trees, herbs, and even vegetables may provide perfect examples of names to consider for your newborn daughter.
5. Match with siblings
Have you ever met a family with siblings whose names have a theme? Perhaps you know a family with three kids whose names all start with a J, for instance. If you already have children, consider if your new daughter should have a name that matches. If your son’s name is William maybe Winnie is a good choice for your baby girl. Or, choose to greatly vary the newborn’s name with a completely different sound.
Still need more inspiration? Check out this year’s top 100 baby girl names
