6 Ways to Avoid Baby Name Fights

Search 30000 Baby Name Meanings

And get more name ideas later on.

Written by Mary Fetzer

Find out how to pick a baby name you both love -- without fighting with your spouse or partner. Choosing the perfect baby name can be such a fun process -- but it can also be the source of contention between you and your partner. He’s always wanted Robert III, and you always thought your first-born son would be named Jack. How can you come together on this all-important decision?

New parents with baby Stuck trying to pick a baby name you both agree on? Real parents share their struggles and how they came to consensus to pick the right name for their baby.

Use the Middle Name as a Compromise

When Judith visited Amelia Island, she fell in love with the way her husband Curt said the name. Judith thought Amelia was the perfect name for a baby girl, but Curt didn’t like it. (Curt’s mother didn’t like it either!) When their daughter was born, Judith “won,” and Curt gave Amelia the middle name Anne.

Get more tips here on choosing a middle name.

Take Turns

Laura and Doug decided to let each other pick one name. They were not finding out the sex of their baby, so Laura picked a boy name and Doug picked a girl name. They had a baby girl so Doug got his first choice. The second time around, Laura picked the girl name and Doug picked the boy’s -- and they had a boy! “Doug got his names both times,” said Laura. “I don’t know if this plan would work for everyone, but I loved the names he picked.”

Keep It in the Family

When their son was born, Judith wanted to name him after his father, Curtiss Paul. Curt was opposed because of the confusion that might result. The couple compromised by naming the boy Curtiss but calling him by a different middle name, Tyler. However, their plan didn't exactly work. While the family calls him by his middle name, everyone else calls him Curt -- and it becomes very confusing when mail and phone calls come for Curt.

Keep this in mind before naming your son the same name as the father. Boxing champ George Foreman named 5 of his sons "George" ( George Jr, George III, George IV, George V and George VI). Can you imagine the confusion when someone calls asking for, "George?" Many families, however, relish this tradition of naming their son after the father.

Wait Until the Last Minute

Kate and John had no trouble choosing boy names, but really struggled to reach consensus on a girl’s name. Kate wanted Jordanne Grace, and John wanted Elizabeth. “He wore me down to the point where it was the day before she was to be delivered and I just wanted that baby,” said Kate. “I didn’t care what we called her!” How does she feel about it now? “I couldn’t love her and her name more!”

Agree to Disagree

Like Kate, Angela and her husband had boy names picked out, but they couldn’t agree on a girl’s name. The day before the baby was born, Angela’s husband found the name Morgan on a billboard. When their daughter arrived the next day, Angela was so happy to have a girl that she let her husband name her. But within two weeks -- with a new baby and raging hormones -- Angela decided she hated the name! “We haven't changed it,” said Angela, “and after 13 years, you just learn to deal with it.” All that really matters is that Morgan loves her name!

Find out here the steps to legally change a name.

Get Creative

Michelle found a way to unique way to name her son after his father. “Do you remember writing your boyfriend’s initials and trying to make a word out of them?” Michelle discovered that her boyfriend’s (now husband’s) Jonathan Keith’s initials -- JKP -- sounded a bit like Jacob. So Michelle and Jonathan’s firstborn son was given the name Jacob Keith! Clever!

Find out how to create your own baby name here.