Choosing a baby name can be an exciting time for parents. The name you give your child will stick with them for the rest of their life, so it’s important to find a name that suits them and fits with your family’s last name. There are also other factors to consider, like the meaning and pronunciation, so make sure you do your research.
A good place to start is by looking at the top names for boys and girls, which can give you a sense of what’s trending. Liam and Olivia are perennial favorites, but it’s not hard to see some other potential pop culture nods (maybe a Dylan for girls?). And Drew—a sophisticated name that earned a big bump from Drew Barrymore—will likely remain in the mix for years to come.
Another way to get inspired is by checking out astrological names—each sign has certain traits associated with it, so you might want to honor that when choosing a baby name. You can also go natural, incorporating the season of your baby’s birth into their name.
Many people are picking up on the notion that a baby’s name should be related to the environment, with names like Forest, River and Ocean rising in popularity. There’s even a movement toward reviving old-fashioned names—like Henry, Oliver and Alice—and combining them with new elements. If you’re having trouble finding a good name, ask your friends and family for suggestions. They may have ideas you never considered, or a name they think is too strange might actually sound really beautiful when spoken aloud.