Matching baby’s first name to last name

Want to make sure that your baby’s first name matches with your last name? That’s a great idea — but this can be tricky. Here’s how find the perfectly harmonious baby name.

Every new parent wants to
choose the perfect name for her child. Whatever first name you are favoring for your baby-to-be, it must go with your last. Otherwise, that wonderful first name could go from perfect to
pathetic in no time flat. And no one wants that. So, where do you start?

Say it out loud

The first step in finding the right name is really hearing it. It’s one thing to see a name on paper; a name could look perfect there, but what happens when you say it? Practice saying the
first and last names together. Listen for flow, melody and ease of pronunciation. Right now, it’s going to sound foreign, no matter what. Once you get over the shock, however, ask yourself if you
like the way it all sounds together.

Match long with short

As they say, size does matter. Varying the lengths of names is a good technique when naming a baby. If you have a long last name, find a shorter first name for your child. In the reverse,
a short last name can support a short first name, but it may flow better with a longer one.

Click here for short and sweet baby names for girls and boys.

No rhyming

When we are young and dream of names, we usually are attracted to those that our adult selves just can’t imagine. And that’s about the time when the idea of having a Mary Kerry or a Neil Steele
might sound good. But in reality, names like Amelia Bedelia and Don Juan are best left to fiction. This is a case of a name that just doesn’t work, despite how it flows. A rhyme might jump off the
tongue easily, but it is, in a word, tacky. Really, leave this one to books.

Be careful with last syllables

This is one of those things that is more situational. Sometimes, having the same last syllable for the first and last names is ok. Other times, it can be a great big don’t. For instance,
Matt Shortt sounds fine together, as does Lucia Cuda. But when matched syllables veer into the rhyme zone, the name falls apart. So, something like Amanda Panda doesn’t work well together.

Check out our pick of two syllable baby names
here.

Watch the initials

Face it: Kids can be so, so cruel. If they find something remotely embarrassing — however accidental — they will exploit it. That’s why you need to pay close attention to the initials and
monogram that can come from your baby-to-be’s potential name. Don’t ever spell anything out. Seriously. For instance, Stephen Xavier Easton might sound like a good name. But look at the initials:
SXE — not bad, right? But the monogram? That would be sEx. You probably want to avoid that one. Likewise, naming a child Harold Andrew Taylor could be a bad thing, too. Imagine the taunts that
could come from having the initials HAT. 

Relax

Is this rule overload? Don’t worry. You will do fine. Just take a deep breath and remember that the name is a whole-body thing — not just one part or another.

Ready now? Get tons of baby name ideas below and get naming!

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