100 Cosmic & Cool Space Baby Names

1. Alioth

Alioth comes from Arabic roots and translates to “fat tail of the sheep.”

Alioth is the brightest star in the Great Bear constellation, Ursa Major. It’s famed for being a navigational star often used by sailors in bygone days.

2. Altair

Depending on the translation, Altair can mean “the flying one,” “soar,” or “bird.” The name is Arabic but has partly Greek origins.

Altair is in the Aquila constellation and is the 11th brightest star in the galaxy. It’s a space-worthy name but could be confused with a commercial airline.

3. Apollo

Apollo was the son of Zeus and a principal deity in Greek mythology.

Apollo is known primarily in the U.S. as the NASA space program between 1961 and 1972, which took the first humans to the moon. Apollo might be too much of a burden as a first name but would make an unusual middle name.

4. Aries

Aries, pronounced, AYR-eez, comes from Latin.

This name is best known as the first zodiac sign “The Ram,” a constellation of brilliant stars located in the northern hemisphere. In Greek mythology, the golden ram was a sacrifice to Zeus. Despite this association, it’s more than suitable for a baby boy.

5. Astrophel

Astrophel is a literary name meaning “star lover.”

The English poet, Sir Philip Sidney, invented the name Astrophel during the 16th century when he used the name for his work, Astrophel and Stella.

6. Atlas

Atlas is of Greek origin.

Atlas was a Greek Titan, condemned to hold up the heavens for eternity. In astronomy, Atlas is a triple star system belonging to Taurus. It’s one of the fast-rising names on the U.S. charts.

7. Badar

Badar is of Arabic origin and translates in English to “full moon.”

Badar is a strong name with romantic tones and meaning. It’s not common in the U.S. yet, but that could soon change.

8. Castor

Castor comes from Greek and means “pious one.”

Besides being known as being a labor-inducing oil, Castor is one of the twins in the Gemini constellation. It’s a mythological name with an edge. James Hatfield from Metallica gave the name to his son.

9. Cielo

Cielo is an Italian name, translating to “sky.”

Cielo is expansive with sunny, fresh tones, exactly what you look for in an Italian name, although in the U.S, it’s uncommon.

10. Comet

Comet is an English word for a cosmic body of ice and gas that flies through the galaxy. As it gets close to the sun, a comet will begin to melt, releasing gas, and sometimes causing a tail.

Clement Clarke Moore named one of Santa’s reindeer Comet in the poem, The Night Before Christmas, so we believe it might be a better name for a pet than a baby.

11. Cupid

Cupid comes from Latin and translates to “desire.”

Cupid is the famous Roman god of love, known for his diaper and shooting with a bow and arrows of love. Cupid is also the name of one of Santa’s reindeer.

It is now the name of one of Uranus’ moons, first sighted in 2003.

12. Donati

Donati is of Latin roots and means “given by God.”

Donati is the name of a long-period comet, named after Italian astronomer Giovanni Battista Donati. First seen in 1858 — it was the first comet ever photographed.

13. Draco

Draco, in Greek, means “dragon.”

Draco is the name of a constellation in the northern sky. However, it’s probably more known as the name of Harry Potter’s sneering nemesis.

14. Elio

Elio, pronounced EH-lyoh, is derived from Spanish and Italian origins and is their version of the Greek sun god.

Elio is a spirited name, with lots of flair and finesse. It’s a common name in France at the moment, where it ranks in the top 250.

15. Finlay

Finlay is of Irish roots and means “fair-haired hero.”

Finlay is the name of a famous South African astronomer, William Henry Finlay. With this name, you have lots of opportunities to be creative. You can spell it Finlay or Finley, and use the cute nickname, Finn.

16. Galileo

Galileo is an authentic Italian name, meaning “from Galilee.”

Galileo is the well-known name of Renaissance astronomer and mathematician. Following the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, it gained some popularity in the U.S. Still, it may be better as a middle name.

17. Hamal

Hamal is an Arabic word meaning “lamb.”

Hamal is the name of the brightest star in the Aries constellation. It’s a stellar alternative to the popular Jamal.

18. Hesperos

Hesperos is of Greek origin and is the personification of Venus.

Hesperos became a famed name following the poem by Longfellow. However, some will associate the name with the expression “you look like the wreck of Hesperus,” which means disheveled.

19. Hoku

Hoku is a Hawaiian word for “star.”

Hoku sounds as tropical as its birthplace and is suitable for both boys and girls.

20. Holmes

Holmes is an English boy’s name meaning “from the island in the river.”

Holmes is recognizable for the fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. It’s also the name of a periodic comet, traveling through our solar system.

21. Izar

Izar is of Basque origin and appropriately translates to “star,” as the name was allocated to a binary star in the northern constellation of Boötes.

Izar is usually a girl’s name in Europe, but in the U.S., parents seem to favor it for boys.

22. Janus

Janus is Greek, meaning “gateway.”

Janus was an ancient Roman god who represented transitions and new beginnings. It’s perfect for a baby boy born in the month named after him, January. Janus is also the name of a moon belonging to Saturn.

23. Jupiter

Jupiter was the chief Roman god, equivalent to Zeus in Greek mythology.

Jupiter is the name of the fifth planet from the sun. The name was considered too grandiose or hippie-like for a mortal boy. But times are changing, and Jupiter is beginning to gain popularity in the U.S.

24. Kepler

Kepler is of German origin.

Kepler, pronounced kep-luhr, was the name of a 17th-century polymath, Johannes Kepler, who unearthed the laws of planetary motion. It’s a favored surname in Germany but could be a cute name for a baby boy in the U.S.

25. Kuiper

Kuiper is of Dutch roots and means “cooper.” Kuiper is pronounced ky-per. It’s often translated to Cooper in English-speaking countries.

Kuiper is the name of a small band of space rocks, floating near Neptune. It’s also the surname of a famous astronomer who founded the Lunar and Planetary Lab in Arizona, Gerald Kuiper.

26. Leo

Leo is of Latin and German roots and means “lion.”

Leo has been a popular name since the time of the Romans. It has always been a favorable nickname for boys named Leon, Leopold, and Leonardo.

Most of us associate Leo with an astrological star sign, and a northern constellation depicting a lion.

27. Lintang

Lintang is an Indonesian name that translates to “star.”

Although Lintang has an original sound to it, it might be too exotic for a Western-world baby. Still, it has a stellar meaning and could work as an intriguing middle name.

28. Meteor

Meteor is an English name that astronomers give to small metallic or rocky bodies that shoot through the galaxy.

Meteors are slightly smaller than asteroids. This name would undoubtedly be unique within your child’s peer group.

29. Namid

Namid is of Native-American roots and means “star dancer.”

Namid is a beautiful name with an even better meaning. It has an exotic, middle-eastern sound to it. It’s a rare name but, with its beautiful translation, it’s attractive and not entirely over the top.

30. Neptune

In Roman mythology, Neptune was the famed god of the sea and earthquakes. He’s the Roman variant of Poseidon.

In astrology, Neptune is the seventh planet from the sun, making it one of the coldest planets in our solar system.

31. Oberon

Oberon is of English origin and translates to “noble” or “bearlike.”

Shakespeare used Oberon for a character in the play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Oberon is also a moon belonging to Uranus. If you prefer, you can use the spelling variant, Auberon.

32. Orion

Orion stems from Greek roots.

Orion is famous for being the rising star — the name contains both celestial and mythical overtones. In Greek mythology, Orion was a hunter who pursued the daughters of Atlas, and who was later slain by Artemis. Zeus then placed him as the brightest constellation in the sky.

33. Perseus

Perseus is a prominent name from Greek mythology.

Perseus was a godly hero in Greek legends — he was one of Zeus’ sons. Perhaps the most famous of his victories was beheading the gorgon Medusa and then gifting her head to Athena. In astronomy, Perseus is a constellation found in the northern sky.

34. Phoenix

The name Phoenix comes from Greek mythology and means “dark red.”

Phoenix is one of the minor constellations found in the southern sky. The legendary phoenix bird has become a symbol of immortality. The name is becoming quite favored in the celebrity world.

35. Pluto

Pluto stems from ancient Greece and relates to “rich.” In Roman mythology, Pluto is the god of the underworld.

The name belongs to a planet in the Kuiper belt. When Pluto was discovered in 1930, it was considered the ninth planet. Today, however, Pluto has been reclassified as a dwarf planet.

36. Pollux

Pollux is a Greek word meaning “crown.”

Pollux, in Greek mythology, was the name of Castor’s twin brother, making him the other twin in the Gemini constellation. Pollux could be a cool name in our modern world — the “x” gives it an edge.

37. Qamar

Qamar comes from the Arabic word for “moon.”

Qamar is pronounced kah-mar and is a wonderful alternative to Omar. Qamar is quite edgy, great if you’re seeking a memorable name for your baby boy.

38. Rasalas

Rasalas is another name with Arabic roots, but this one signifies “the northern star of the lion’s head.”

Rasalas is an exotic-sounding name used for a star within the Leo constellation. It’s one of the rarer Arabic names for boys, which is fantastic for modern parents.

39. Regulus

Regulus comes from Latin for “prince.”

Regulus was a name used for a character in the Harry Potter stories and is also the name of the brightest star in the Leo constellation. Regulus sounds unusual, but you could always go with the nickname Reggie.

40. Rigel

Rigel is Arabic and means “foot.”

Rigel is a dazzling star in the constellation of Orion. Though not a common pick for a boy’s name, we think it may be a quirky alternative to “Nigel.”

41. Sabik

Sabik derives from Arabic for “one who comes first.”

Besides being the perfect name for a first-born, Sabik is a star in Ophiuchus. The name represents new beginnings, and it’s unique for parents who want their child to have a standout name.

42. Samson

Samson comes from Hebrew and translates to “Sun.”

Samson is likely to do quite well, seeing the popularity of Samuel and the highly sought-after nickname Sam. According to Hebrew legends, Samson was a strong champion in Israel, who fought against the Philistines. The name is slowly separating itself from that association.

43. Saturn

In Roman mythology, Saturn was the god of agriculture.

When all the names on earth don’t seem to fit, jump six planets over. Saturn is a peculiar name for a baby boy, but not entirely unusable.

44. Sirius

The name Sirius comes from Latin origin and signifies “burning.”

Sirius is mostly associated with two things, the character from Harry Potter or the brightest star in the galaxy. Sirius might be better suited as a middle name.

45. Sol

Sol is Spanish for “sun.”

Sol, pronounced sahl, is an excellent name for a baby boy. It has those old-school vibes that many parents are craving these days.

46. Taurus

Taurus is Latin in origin and means “bull.”

Taurus is a constellation found in the northern hemisphere. It’s also a sign of the zodiac. Taurus would make a great name for a fiery little dude, but try your best to stick to the nickname Taw or Russ, not Bull.

47. Titan

Titan is a Greek mythology name meaning “leader.”

The name stems from the Titans — a band of powerful, immortal giants. If we take a trip to Saturn, it’s the name of its largest moon. Titan isn’t common, though, it ranks in the top 1000.

48. West

West is an English word name.

West is probably one of the more popular direction names, along with North, thanks to Kim Kardashian. West is a common surname, but more parents are choosing it for a middle name, while a daring few put it first. It’s a name that will turn heads.

49. Wolf

Wolf is a common Native American name.

Some see Wolf exclusively as an animal name. It may be popular because of the nature of the animal, strong, loyal, monogamous, and social. In astronomy, Wolf (Wolf-Rayet) is a type of rare star, emitting scorching gasses.

50. Zenith

Zenith is an English word for “the highest or crowning point.”

Zenith represents the point of the celestial sphere that’s directly above an observer on earth. Although the meaning isn’t intergalactic-interesting, the name is quite lovely. It sounds like an edgy version of Dennis.

 

51. Adhara

Adhara is derived from Arabic roots and means “virgins.”

One of the most brilliant stars in the sky is called Adhara. It’s a bright name too, great for baby girls — you could even choose a spelling variation, such as Adara.

52. Alcyone

Pronounced Al·​cy·​o·​ne, Alcyone is a name from Greek mythology.

Alcyone was the daughter of Aeolus and married to Ceyx. The pair was happy but enraged the ancient gods by calling each other Hera and Zeus. One day when Ceyx was at sea, his ship sunk, and out of grief, Alcyone threw herself into the ocean.

Alcyone is now notable for being the brightest star in the Pleiades.

53. Alpha

Alpha stems from Greek and is the first letter of their alphabet.

In astronomy, Alpha is the name used for the most radiant star in every constellation. It would make a bold pick for a first daughter, giving her some girl boss vibes by letting everyone know she’s number one.

54. Alula

Alula is of Arabic descent and translates to “the first leap.”

It’s the palindromic name of a rare binary star system (two stars that appear as one because of their proximity). If you’re expecting twins, it would be fantastic for the firstborn.

55. Alya

Alya comes from Russia, Turkey, and Arabic-speaking countries, where it relates to “heavens,” “exalted,” and “highborn.”

We know the name from the star system, Theta Serpentis. It’s a common first name given to girls in Islam.

56. Amalthea

Amalthea is a Greek mythology name meaning “tender goddess.”

Amalthea is believed to be the name of either a goat or a goat-keeping nymph. In Greek legend, she nursed Zeus while he was an infant and kept him safe from his dangerous father, Cronus.

In astronomy, the constellation, Capra (translation: she-goat), is thought to represent Amalthea. It’s also the name of one of Jupiter’s moons.

57. Andromeda

Andromeda stems from Greek and translates to “advising like a man.”

In Greek legends, Andromeda was the daughter of Cassiopeia, who Athena made into a constellation. The star cluster is called The Bohemian Andromeda.

58. Aquarius

Aquarius is another Greek name, known as the constellation between Pisces and Capricorn.

The cluster resembles a person pouring water. Aquarius is also the 11th sign of the zodiac and isn’t exactly a common name for babies.

59. Ariel

Ariel comes from Hebrew roots and translates to “lion of god.”

This biblical name is seen as the messenger of Ezra and is symbolic of Jerusalem city. In the western world, however, Ariel is more familiar in popular culture as the protagonist in the 1989 Disney movie, The Little Mermaid.

Ariel is also one of Uranus’ moons. It’s the fourth-largest to orbit this distant planet.

60. Astra

Astra means “of the stars.” and has Greek origins.

With intergalactic vibes, Astra is a fantastic space baby name. Some may recognize it from the character, Princess Astra in Doctor Who.

 

61. Aurora

Aurora comes from Latin and means “the dawn.”

The name stems from the Roman goddess of sunrise, who created dew with her tears. According to legends, she traveled from East to West, thus renewing herself each dawn.

It also relates to the scientific phenomenon that causes the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and the Aurora Australis (Southern lights) near the magnetic northern and southern poles.

62. Belinda

Belinda comes from German and Spanish roots and translates to “pretty one” or “serpent.”

According to Babylonian mythology, Belinda was a goddess, ruling over heaven and Earth. Alexander Pope used the name for the heroine in his poem, The Rape of the Lock.

Belinda is also the name of one of the moons orbiting Uranus.

63. Bellatrix

Bellatrix is a Latin name, used to define the term “female warrior.”

In astronomy, Bellatrix is the name of a star in the Orion constellation. However, the name has drawn more attention from the evil character in the J.K. Rowling series, Harry Potter. If you can ignore that association, Bellatrix is a beautiful name with an even stronger meaning.

64. Bianca

Bianca stems from Italian roots and means “white.”

Bianca has been a contender on the top charts since the beginning of the 1900s and enjoyed immense popularity in the 1990s. The name was given to one of Uranus’ moons when it was discovered by Voyager 2. It’s an Italian and Shakespearean variant of Blanche and would make an excellent pick for winter babies.

65. Calypso

Calypso is derived from Greek and is a name for “she who hides.”

According to Greek mythology, Calypso was an island nymph who imprisoned Odysseus for seven years. It’s a colorful name that’s also quite favored for boys.

Calypso is the name of a moon, discovered in 1980, orbiting Saturn.

66. Capella

Capella comes from Latin for “little she-goat.” Capella is the name of the 11th brightest star and carries both astrological and mythological importance.

In astrology, the name symbolizes wealth and military honor. In Roman mythology, it was the goat that nursed Jupiter. Capella is mentioned in several legends, including Persian and Aboriginal.

67. Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia was a queen of great vanity in Greek mythology.

Cassiopeia, pronounced kass-ee-oh-pie-ah, was the name of the legendary mother of Andromeda. She was transformed by Zeus into a constellation alongside her daughter for offending Poseidon.

It’s a mouthful of a name, yet attractive and exotic. You could always use the nickname Cassie or Casey.

68. Celeste

Celeste comes from Latin and means “of the heavens.” Parents with children already may know it from Queen Celeste of the Babar elephant stories.

A beautiful name that has been in the top 1,000 for over 130 years, Celeste is a good pick for the daughter that means heaven and Earth to you.

69. Chandra

In Hindu, Chandra is the moon goddess.

The name peaked in the western world around the 1960s when incense and meditation were the hot new thing. However, because of its resemblance to Sandra, it could easily become favored again.

70. Charon

Charon is from mythology, and the name means “of keen gaze.”

Charon’s pronunciation has everyone scratching their heads. According to Greek mythology, Charon, pronounced kare-on, was the ferrymen of dead souls, dwelling in the underworld. In astronomy, however, Charon, pronounced share-on, is Pluto’s moon.

 

71. Cordelia

Cordelia has both Latin and Celtic origins, and it represents “heart” or “daughter of the sea.”

Cordelia was one of King Lear’s daughters, known for her sympathetic nature. Astrologers gave her name to the innermost moon of Uranus. Cordelia has both charm and style — there are loads of possibilities for nicknames, including Cora, Lia, Delia, or Del.

72. Corona

Corona is a Spanish word for “crown.”

Corona is the name for an aura of plasma floating around the sun. Although it’s a beautiful name, many are likely to associate it with the beer or the recent outbreak of a respiratory illness.

73. Cressida

Cressida comes from Greek origin and translates to “gold.”

It is the name of one of the smaller moons orbiting Uranus. Cressida has starred in both Greek mythology and Shakespearean literature. Today, it’s familiar as a character from “The Hunger Games,” and the name of author Cressida Cowell.

74. Cybele

The bearer of the name Cybele, pronounced Cyb·​e·​le, has a mighty name to live up to as it means “mother of all gods.”

In Greek mythology, Cybele was the goddess of health, nature, and fertility. Because of the strong association, it’s only fitting that astronomers gave the name to the largest asteroid in our solar system.

75. Danica

The meaning of Danica from Slavic origin, “morning star,” is believed to be a representation of the sun. It resembles Danielle, Dana, and Daniela, but it’s not a variant of those names.

Danica isn’t as common as it was a few years back, but we’re confident it can make a comeback. Racecar driver Danica Patrick has brought the name into the mainstream.

76. Despina

Despina comes from Greek and is a word for “lady.”

Despina is probably best known from Mozart’s opera Cosi fan Tutte, but it’s derived from the Greek mythological name, Despiona. She was the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon. Today, the name also belongs to one of Neptune’s moons.

77. Dione

Dione is derived from Greek sources and translates to “divine queen.”

In Greek legends, Dione, pronounced dy-OH-ne, was the mother of Aphrodite. The name is given to a moon near Saturn. However, it might be confused with Dionne or Dion.

78. Elara

Elara springs from Greek roots.

Elara was a mythological lover of Zeus, who had to give birth to a giant baby (ouch). In astronomy, it’s the lovely name given to one of Jupiter’s moons.

79. Electra

Another Greek name, Electra, means “bright” or “shining.”

Electra is a brilliant choice for a strong girl — it gives off sparky vibes that won’t go unnoticed. Astronomers gave the name to a giant star found in the Taurus constellation.

80. Eris

Eris is a mythological name for the goddess of discord and strife.

The name has also made strides in pop culture. Eris joined forces with Maleficent, the Horned King, and others to form “The Dark Council” to defeat Chernabog’s rise in the universe.

In 2005, Eris became the name of a dwarf planet, sometimes referred to as the tenth planet.

81. Faye

Faye is of English origin and signifies “fairy.”

Faye isn’t the name of a galaxy far away (not that we know of anyway). It is, however, the name of a famous astronomer, Hervé Faye. Faye was the name given to 410 baby girls during 2018 in the U.S.

82. Flora

Flora is a Latin and Scottish name for “flower.”

Flora is the name of an asteroid orbiting the sun. The name is believed to be from the Roman goddess of spring and flowers, who was blessed with eternal youth. Flora is a nature name, excellent for summer and spring baby girls.

83. Galatea

Galatea is of Greek lineage and pertains to “she who is milk-white.”

The name stems from the legendary sculptor, Pygmalion, who created his ideal woman from carved ivory, giving her an incredibly pale appearance. When he fell in love with his creation, Aphrodite brought her to life, naming her Galatea due to her skin. Galatea is also the name of a moon circling Neptune, sometimes called Neptune VI.

84. Gemini

Gemini is of Latin roots and means “twins.”

Gemini is most famous as the name of the astrological sign. Geminis are into self-love, believing you can only love others after learning to love yourself.

85. Helene

Helene is a French name meaning “bright” or “shining one.”

Helene is the name of a moon belonging to Saturn, discovered in 1980. Helene can be spelled or pronounced in various ways, from Heleen to Helaine. It was a favored name back in 1916 but was off of the popularity charts by 1970.

86. Hilda

Hilda springs from Germany, where it means “battle woman.”

Hilda is a short variant of Brunhilda, who was a Valkyrie of Teutonic legend. It is also the name of a group of asteroids, often referred to as “The Hildas.”

87. Hoshi

Hoshi is a Japanese name, which translates to “star.”

With a short, quick pronunciation, Hoshi is catchy and stylish. Thanks to its astrological meaning, it’s a fantastic pick for parents who dare to be bold.

88. Ida

Ida is of German origin and signifies “industrious one.”

Ida was the name given to an asteroid in the Kronis family by Austrian astronomer Johann Palisa. Ida has great potential — it’s in the group of short, vowel names that are making a comeback, alongside Ava and Ada.

89. Indu

Indu originates from Hindi for “moon.”

Indu is an unusual name, but it’s not on the absurdly, weird, never-gonna-happen list. It’s a stunning moon name, which resembles Luna and Serena.

90. Juliet

Juliet comes from English and French origins and signifies “youthful.”

As the essence of romantic names, Juliet is both stylish and delicate. The name has somewhat outgrown its link to Romeo and is ready for use in the U.S. In astronomy, Juliet is the name of a moon near Uranus.

 

91. Kamaria

Kamaria is a Swahili word, which means “moonlight.”

Kamaria sounds and looks like an extension of Maria. It has a beautiful lilt when spoken and would make a rare name in the U.S.

92. Larissa

Larissa comes from Greek and Russian origins and translates to “citadel.”

In mythology, Larissa was a nymph. Today, it is the name of a moon of Neptune. This name would be a fresh change from the more common Melissa, Clarissa, and even Alyssa.

93. Luna

Luna is an Italian name and was the Roman goddess of the moon.

The word is derived from Latin and has gained popularity in the last couple of years, probably thanks to Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series.

94. Nova

Nova stems from Latin roots and means “new.”

In astronomical terms, nova is a star, which suddenly grows in brightness before fading. Nova sounds similar to Noah — it’s crisp and fresh, excellent for a 21st-century baby.

95. Rhea

Rhea is Greek and has a lovely translation, “a flowing stream.”

Rhea is an original name with a Greek mythological meaning — she was the earth mother of all gods. Rhea is also the second-largest moon orbiting Saturn. The actress Rhea Perlman is probably the most famous owner of the name.

96. Selena

Selena is of Latin origin and means “moon goddess.”

Selena is a favored name within the Latino community and has several famous bearers, such as Selena Gomez. It’s a stylish name, resembling other contenders such as Celia and Seraphina.

97. Stella

Stella is derived from Latin roots and translates to “star.”

A poet called Sir Philip Sidney first coined the name in his work “Astrophel and Stella.” This name caught on and has been on the U.S. charts for years.

98. Thalassa

Thalassa is of Greek roots and means “the sea.”

Thalassa is one of the moons of Neptune, discovered and named as recently as 1989. Otherwise, Thalassa is a rarely used name. In ancient times, Thalassa was a personification of the ocean.

99. Venus

Venus stems from Latin.

Venus was the Roman goddess of love and beauty, an equivalent of Aphrodite. Venus is also the famed second planet from the sun as well as the moniker of tennis champ Venus Williams.

100. Zaniah

Zaniah is an Arabic name meaning “corner.”

Zaniah is a triple star system in the constellation of Virgo. While it’s not even on the popular name spectrum, Zaniah gives us some edgy vibes.

 

Tips for Finding the Best Baby Name

Blend a Favorite or Compromise
Deciding on a name for your new arrival is a joint task — both parties should feel involved in the process. We understand that this isn’t always a natural point to agree upon. Maybe he wants to name your baby after his mother, but you’d rather call your baby something ridiculous than do that.

In such cases, remember the importance of compromise. Perhaps you can combine your favorite names or maybe rule those out entirely and find a different one.

Don’t Fall for Trends

Trends are tricky — at the moment, your favorite is the coolest name ever. After a year or so, you are likely to regret your decision. Not all trends are bad, and some return after being out of favor for a while.

Trends you should steer clear of are those using unnecessary letters or strange spellings. Others include those calling for random punctuation.

Mine Your Heritage

If you’re struggling, try mining your heritage. Do a deep search on where your ancestors come from or past names. You may find that you’re half Italian, which is an excellent excuse to pick a name such as Enzo or Elio.

Picking a name from your heritage is also a fantastic way to pay homage to your forefathers. It’s something you and your partner’s families will undoubtedly appreciate.

Pick a Theme

Because of the vast ocean of possible baby names, narrowing your search down to one or two categories can help immensely. Picking a favorite theme may also broaden your mind, giving you inspiration for ideas.

Add Diversity

Choosing the name of the year for your baby will probably lead to more than a few namesakes in your area and their future peer groups. Therefore, don’t be scared to add some diversity.

Settling on an unusual name can seem “too out there.” This is where middle names come in handy. Pick a safer name for the first, and use the rarer one in the middle, or vice versa.

How Does it Sound?

Once you have a few names in mind, try saying them out loud alone and with your last name (1). Ask yourself how it sounds — is it easy or a tongue twister? Ideally, there should be a nice flow — imagine a 5-year-old explaining that his name is Jackson Grayson McMasterson.

Search it Online

Doing a quick search of your potential pick will ensure the name is child-friendly. Some names have infamous owners so look out for names of non-child-friendly characters and actors.

The association with an unsavory namesake can be upsetting for a youngster.

Contemplate Initials

As with the sound, it’s essential to consider the initials. Initials become important once your baby is an adult.

Choosing a combination of names leaving them with unprofessional initials isn’t ideal. For example, Alexander Steven Scott becomes A.S.S.

Meaning

Almost every name has a meaning, for better or worse. While some are beautiful, others are plain awful — did you know that Lola means lady of sorrow? There are undoubtedly names you should avoid due to their meaning.

But meanings aren’t everything, so unless you have a personal reason for wanting or avoiding a particular meaning, it shouldn’t dominate your choice. Perhaps prepare a quick explanation should someone ask.

Calling the Intergalactic Space Station

When it’s time to choose a baby name, you’ll suddenly realize how many people you dislike. You’ll consider a name and instantly think of someone you’ve encountered in your life who has ruined that name for you.

It’s not an easy process — some parents don’t pick until after leaving the hospital, if not later. Settling on “the one” isn’t simple, but don’t let it become overbearing. Looking for inspiration from a group of topic-associated baby names can help immensely.

Space baby names is a broad category. You’ll find mythology, historical people, stars, and astronomy all factor in.

When looking for names, avoid jumping on current trends — instead, mine your heritage or combine favorites. Remember to compromise, and if you’re considering an unusual name, research the meaning.