Baby names guide: How to make the perfect choice for your newborn

You might find it helpful to maintain a central repository for all your chosen names—such as a notepad, digital document, or even a note on your smartphone—to organize your top choices.

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Factors to Consider When Naming Your Baby

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When choosing a name, there are numerous considerations to ponder:

• Would you prefer a classic or contemporary name?
• Are you seeking a name that can be shortened to a nickname?
• Does the name need to carry a specific or unique meaning?
• Should the name be gender-neutral?
• Or, perhaps, you might want to pass along a family name, much like royal families do.

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Old-World Charm or Contemporary Vibe?

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Classical names like Elizabeth, Catherine, William, George, and Edward remain popular and stand the test of time, thanks to their use in royal families. Even traditional names like Arthur have seen a comeback in recent years. Pop culture also influences naming trends, with names like Dua (Dua Lipa) and Kylo (Kylo Ren from Star Wars) rising in popularity.

If you're more adventurous, you might be inspired by celebrities who often break from tradition, bestowing upon their children unique names based on brands, objects, or abstract ideas. Names like Apple, Lourdes, Birdie, Audio, Cricket, Everest, Rainbow, Puma, and Sunday exemplify this trend.

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Let's look at a recent release of popular baby names:

According to the Office for National Statistics in England and Wales in 2021, the top five boys' names were:

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1. Noah
2. Oliver
3. George
4. Arthur
5. Muhammad

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Meanwhile, the top five girls' names were:

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1. Olivia
2. Amelia
3. Isla
4. Ava
5. Ivy

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To understand how naming preferences have evolved, consider the top names in 1974:

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Boys

1. Paul
2. Mark
3. David
4. Andrew
5. Richard

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Girls

1. Sarah
2. Claire
3. Nicola
4. Emma
5. Lisa

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Interestingly, research by the ONS suggests that mothers' age significantly influences naming choices. Younger mothers often veer toward modern names—like Harper—while older mothers prefer traditional names.

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Useful Tips for Selecting a Baby Name

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1. Be Open to Feedback: Prepare for diverse reactions if you unveil your selected name before birth.
2. Write Down the Initials: Make sure the initials do not spell anything unsavory.
3. Say the Name Out Loud: Practicing vocalization can help prevent unintended comedic impacts.
4. Balance Tradition and Modernity: If traditional names aren't your preference but hold family significance, consider using them as middle names.
5. Think of the Shortened Version: Often, nicknames stick in the long run, so ensure you like the short version of the name.
6. Consider Long-term Appropriateness: A cute name might be perfect for a baby but might not suit an adult in a corporate setting.
7. Overall Sound: Pay attention to how the chosen name blends with your surname, and avoid inadvertent tongue-twisters unless intended.
8. Names With Meaning: Names with a specific significance may hold a unique charm.

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Choosing a name can be an enjoyable activity, provided it's approached with an open mind and patience. When the right one comes along, you'll know, or at least, you should by the time you need to register the name.

Create a list of favourite names and take time to add or eliminate options. Reviewing this list later can provide a nostalgic look back on your naming journey.

We wish you the best of luck and enjoyment as you embark on this special journey to discover the perfect name(s) for your baby.

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Sources:

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https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/bulletins/babynamesenglandandwales/2021#top-baby-names

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