There’s something magical — and a little maddening — about picking a baby’s name. It’s a decision that feels both deeply personal and surprisingly public. For those who’ve been there, you know that it can dominate your conversations, your daydreams, and sometimes even your sleep. That’s exactly where I find myself these days, as my husband Max and I prepare to welcome our third child this October — a baby girl we’re already dreaming about, but who remains, for now, nameless.
The Baby Name Conversation That Keeps Us Up at Night
A reader named Apple recently sent in a request that has stuck with me: a call for another baby name post. She mentioned how valuable it is to hear what other parents and readers are considering, sharing, or cherishing when it comes to names. And I couldn’t agree more.
For Max and me, baby names have always been a thoughtful process, marked by both excitement and the occasional name-related tug-of-war. With our first baby, Ella, I had the naming rights if it was a girl, and Max got dibs if it was a boy. I’d already fallen in love with names like Ella, Ilana, and Remy, so when the pregnancy test revealed a girl, I happily chose Ella. For our second child, Max had his chance — he wanted to name our son Emiliano, a nod to his own full name, Maximiliano. That choice felt perfect, natural, and tied deeply to family.
But this time? This time, we’re both in the ring, brainstorming together, trying to find a name that fits just right for our new little nugget.
Seeking Inspiration Everywhere
When you’re in the thick of it, every name you hear or read feels like potential. I’ve been jotting down every woman’s name I hear on TV, every character in a book, every Instagram handle that catches my eye. The hunt is part instinct, part research, and a little bit of magic.
We also checked out the U.S. Social Security Administration’s 2023 list of the most popular baby names. The top girls’ names include Olivia, Emma, Charlotte, Amelia, and Luna — all beautiful and timeless in their own ways. On the boys’ side, names like Liam, Noah, and Mateo top the list, alongside classic favorites like James, Theodore, and William.
Though it’s early days, some names have already captured our hearts. For a girl, we love Aaliyah — inspired by the singer, whose name carries a beautiful strength and elegance. Margot also appeals to us with its simplicity and sweetness. For a boy, Joaquin has a strong, resonant sound that I find really compelling.
What Makes a Name “The One”?
The more we talk, the clearer it becomes that a name isn’t just about sound or trendiness. It’s about identity, legacy, and the stories we want our children to carry with them. Will our daughter be inspired by a name that honors a beloved relative, or by one that evokes a place, a dream, or a character from a story that has moved us?
Names can connect us to our roots, like Emiliano did for Max, reflecting family history or cultural pride. Or they can be fresh and unexpected, a name picked because it feels like a gift of possibility to a new life. Sometimes, a name grows on you slowly — it feels right in your heart long before it sounds right out loud.
Your Turn: What Names Are You Loving?
I’m curious — what baby names have been catching your eye? Are there names you cherish because they belonged to a beloved family member? Or maybe you’ve found inspiration in a favorite fictional character, a meaningful place, or even a song?
Naming a baby is such an intimate act of love and hope. It’s a way of imagining the life ahead, the person your child will become, and the legacy they’ll carry forward.
With five months to go, Max and I still have plenty of time to mull over our favorites, to say names aloud in the quiet of the night, and to wait for that perfect feeling — the moment when a name clicks and you know, without a doubt, it’s the one.
