Names are so interesting to me.  I find it fascinating how different names come into and out of popularity (and how, without fail, the “unique” name  you planned on for your baby, because-it’s-different-but-not-too-weird-and-you-don’t-know-anyone-with-it, suddenly is in the “Top Ten” list of most popular names in the country!  Boo.)  Regardless, I find it entertaining to look through name books or online lists, and pick out my favorites for all the imaginary children I have.

So, in case you are like me, or you are currently pregnant and actually playing the name game, I wanted to share some fun baby name websites.  My husband and I were a little disheartened to find that some of our top choices are on these lists — but I guess that just means we pick beautiful names.

Anyway, enjoy!

 

General Baby Name websites:

Nameberry.com

Baby Name Wizard (includes popular baby names from around the world!)

Babynames.com 

BabyNamesWorld (includes some celebrity baby name info… you know you love it!)

 

Current Top Baby Name Lists:

Popular Baby Names According to the US Census

The Most Popular and Weirdest Baby Names of 2013, from LiveScience.com

Top Baby Names of 2014 (so far…), from Parenting Magazine.

 

Favorite Books

The Baby Name Wizard, Revised 3rd Edition: A Magical Method for Finding the Perfect Name for Your Baby by Laura Wattenberg

Cool Names for Babies by Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz

Beyond Ava & Aiden: The Enlightened Guide to Naming Your Baby also by Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz

Puffy, Xena, Quentin, Uma: And 1,000 Other Names for Your New Millennium Baby by Joal Ryan

 

And, for more fun, check out this Baby Name Predictor from TodaysMama.com to find out how common a name is and how popular it may be in the next 20 years.

Oh, and some advice from me… don’t tell anyone the name you’ve chosen until you’re ready (even if that means no one gets to know until the baby is already born).  Because everyone has an opinion when they think they get to weigh in… which you may or may not want to hear! 😉