Ariela Basson/Fatherly; Getty Images, Shutterstock

Whether our lives are the sum of a million minor decisions or mapped out for us in the stars, our names are the banner under which we first set sail. While babies are the product of biology, baby names are essentially the product of one very long, wild conversation full of surprising emotions, intense negotiation, family pressure, and, above all, the powerful desire to give a child their first individual asset: a name that will carry them through life as safely, successfully and happily as possible. Choosing a baby’s name is, in many ways, our first act of parenting a new child.

Ariela Basson/Fatherly; Getty Images, Shutterstock

But How Much Is Really Riding on the Baby Name You Choose?

No matter how smoothly the name-choosing goes or how right — or regretful — a baby’s name may ultimately feel, it’s a serious business: To vet a baby name, parents have to contemplate a whole range of future experiences, from the grand — how will it sound prepended by “Dr.” — to the worrisome — just how bully-proof is this name? While there are studies suggesting a correlation between baby names and everything from wealth and longevity to political orientation, names are less a matter of destiny and more a demonstration of the parental willingness to consider everything when it comes to kids. For some parents that means finding strength in tradition, whether that’s rooted in family, history, or global universal appeal. For others, it’s all about differentiation: choosing a name that’s unconventional and ideally unique, a name by which future Google results will deliver only one.

Ariela Basson/Fatherly; Getty Images, Shutterstock

The New Science of Baby Naming

Over the past few years, sophisticated, algorithm-driven baby-name generators have entered the baby-naming game — these run the gamut from free, data-driven tools to subscription-based services like Nameclouds. In theory, they shepherd parents toward the best names by analyzing everything from data on name popularity from the Social Security Administration to name meaning, possible acronyms, syllable count, and even the risks of alliteration.

Should we outsource important life decisions to algorithms? No. But they can be useful tools that help us to feel our way toward the best name for a new person in the world. In short, choosing a baby name is the perfect onramp to parenthood: full of hope, excitement, anxiety, joy, dread, and unsolicited advice. Baby-name trends come and go, but one thing holds true: Selecting a baby’s name is nothing more and nothing less than an expression of love.

Ready to Choose a Baby Name? Start Here.

Baby Names

1,000+ Unique Baby Boy Names That You Won’t Regret

The Social Security Administration has published lists of the most popular names yearly since the late 1800s. These aren’t those names.

Baby Names

254 Old-Fashioned Baby Names For Boys And Girls

Charming, distinctive, and not too obscure these classic names sound wiser than their years.

What's in a name?

251 Authentic Southern Names For Baby Boys And Girls

Wouldn't your kid be a badass Birdie or Greer?

Baby Names

1000+ Unique Baby Girl Names You Will Love

Harper's a beautiful name, and there will be three of them in your daughter's kindergarten class.

Baby Names

155 Unique Middle Names for Your Unique Baby Boy

You figured out the first name, but it's not over yet.

Baby Names

161 Historical Baby Names Inspired By Activists And Artists

Inspired by history's coolest, kindest, most courageous figures, these names give your kid big shoes to fill.

Baby Names

115 Cute Middle Names for Girls That Go With Everything

Because choosing one name wasn't hard enough.

Baby Names

The 35 Most Popular Unisex Baby Names In The U.S. (And Then Some)

Shift to neutral.

Baby Names

57 Unique Baby Girl Names That Start With ‘A’

Welcome them to the world — and to the A-Team.

More Inspired Baby Names For Boys & Girls

What's In A Name?

This NASCAR Driver Found A Hilarious Way To Win A Classic Baby Name Fight

By Lizzy Francis

This option isn't available for everyone, but Tyler Reddick found a baby-naming argument hack that's next-level.

What's In A Name?

The Future Of Baby Naming Is Here, And It's Genderless

By Lizzy Francis

BabyNames.com CEO Jennifer Moss talks about the names that defined Generation Alpha — and what may come for Generation Beta.

What's In A Name?

Patrick Mahomes Is Serious About His Son Carrying On This Baby Name Legacy

By Lizzy Francis

The power of the nickname — and the family name — combine.

What's In A Name?

The Baby Names At Risk Of "Extinction" In 2024 Are Shockingly Trendy

By Lizzy Francis

Experts at BabyCenter put together a list of baby names going extinct — and many of them will surprise you.

Going For The Gold

Michael Phelps Welcomes His 4th Baby — His Name Continues A Unique Family Tradition

By Lizzy Francis

The Phelps family has long given their babies unique first names and traditional middle names. Their newest baby is no exception.

What's In A Name?

Josh Duhamel's Baby Has A Uniquely Old-School Name — And, No, It’s Not ‘Gary’

By Lizzy Francis

Congratulations to Josh Duhamel and wife Audra Mari — and their new baby, who is not named Gary.

What's In A Name?

Kieran Culkin Just Ruled Out This On-Trend But Rather Obvious Baby Name

By Lizzy Francis

Kieran Culkin asked his wife to have another baby in his Emmy’s acceptance speech — and ruled out a baby name in the process.

What's In A Name?

Halle Bailey's Son Has A Celestial Baby Name That Couldn't Be More Unique

By Devan McGuinness

The ‘Little Mermaid’ star rounded out a banner year by welcoming her son.

What's In A Name?

This Athlete Power Couple Went For The Gold With Their Baby's Ultra-Trendy Nickname

By Devan McGuinness

Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East just welcomed their third child together — with the quietly trendiest name around.

Parenting

Ciara & Russell Wilson Welcome Baby Girl — And She’s Got A Secretly On-Trend Baby Name

By Lizzy Francis

Congratulations to the happy family!