Brainstorming Names for Your Baby

Sure, you can wade through 60,000 names and look for the one that catches your fancy. Another approach is to sit down with a glass of wine (grape juice for mom-to-be) and make the following questions into a game. Brainstorm using some or all of these questions and see what kind of ideas they spark. Remember, there is no rule that says a baby can only have one name. If you work together, you might find a few that you both like and respond to at the same time.

• Who are your favorite artists?
• What is your favorite movie? Who are the stars?
• What is your favorite novel? Who are the main characters?
• Name every family member as far back or distant as you can remember?
• What part of American history do you like?
• What countries are your ancestors from?
• What languages do you speak?
• What is your favorite city? What is your favorite state?
• Where did you go on your first date?
• Where were you married?
• Where did you honeymoon?
• Favorite teachers?
• Favorite flowers, gems, trees?

About the Baby

• Where was he or she conceived?
• Where will the baby be born? City? Address?
• What do you want baby’s name to say about you?
• What do you think your baby will look like?
• What kind of personality will she or he likely have?
• What color hair or eyes do you imagine?
• What is the name of your OB/GYN?