20 Somewhat Questionable Ways To Name Your Baby

Once the lines have settled on the pregnancy test, and your prenatal vitamins are placed prominently on your nightstand, it’s time to choose a name. Shakespeare said, “What’s in a name?” and I’d like to respond with, “Uh. EVERYTHING.”

Sure, you could go the more typical route of choosing a baby name by doing things like scouring online name databases, checking out the Social Security Administration’s latest list of top names, or going with a family name.

But if none of those options are working for you, and you’re still having trouble picking a name, why not try some of these (somewhat questionable) strategies for picking a baby name?

1. Tell everyone within earshot what names you’re considering, so they can criticize them all and offer their own superior suggestions. Because why would the parents’ opinions matter anyway?

2. Open a baby name book to a random page, close your eyes, and point. If it’s in the book, it’s gotta be good, right? RIGHT?

3. Name the kid after a pop culture icon who will be obsolete by the time your baby enters preschool.

4. Better yet, combine the names of TWO pop culture icons who will be obsolete by the time your baby enters preschool. Kanyeiber (Kanye + Justin Bieber)?

5. Go with where your child was conceived. Sure, “Neighbor’s Pool Table” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but oh the stories you could tell!

6. Let the doctor decide. He does this all day long, so he has to have some good ideas.

7. Put a poll up on your blog and ask your readers to vote. Because the internet deserves the power to name your child.

8. Spell out your favorite TV station. Emteevee looks super cute when you write it like that.

9. Play pin the tail on the alphabet. Tape all the letters in the alphabet to a wall, put on a blindfold, and place 5-7 stickers on random letters. Pray you choose a vowel.

10. Let your older kid slam on the keyboard for three seconds and use whatever comes out. Gyjuvyurdtxpijoty for the win!

11. Go the nature route. Don’t do typical nature names like Meadow and Forest though. Choose unique names like Magma or Mountain.

12. Pick a classic name, but jazz it up with some extra consonants and vowels. Get creative.

13. Choose a tech-related name. Dotcom, Siri, or Apple could work.

14. Use their name to choose their future profession. Professor or Judge could work. Name it and claim it!

15. Find a meaning you like and choose a name accordingly. I’m certain there are plenty of names which mean “one who emerges from the womb destined to color on walls in permanent marker.” Let me know when you find it.

16. Don’t give the kid a name. Instead, allow him or her to choose their own name as a present on their third birthday. Kids have great judgment skills.

17. Combine two or three of your favorite elements from the Periodic Table. What about HeNaPb?

18. Do like Prince and just draw a doodle on the birth certificate. You can always pull a Puff Daddy and change it later.

19. Pay homage to your favorite food. I’m a fan of Blueberry or Ribeye. Feel free to steal either of those.

20. Or your favorite drink. How badass would “Michelob Ultra” sound at high school graduation?

Happy naming!

Naming a baby can be scary. Let us help! Browse thousands of cool names in our baby name database here.

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