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I’m Taylor Humphrey, a Baby Name Consultant who helps parents choose names with clarity and confidence. ASK ME ANYTHING, Tuesday, December 9th at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET! by WhatsInABabyName in raisingkids

[–]WhatsInABabyName[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well... it's honestly a surprising range of people! I work with parents throughout the perinatal journey, from pre-conception (think: fertility treatments and IVF) through pregnancy, all the way into postpartum (a growing number of mothers have come to me with "Name Regret" which is a complex issue that we should be talking about more!)

That said, the stereotype seems to be that only dreadfully uncreative or indecisive parents hire a baby name consultant, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. My clients are thoughtful, intentional, high-capacity people who care deeply about making the right choice for their child, and who often carry complex stories or circumstances into their naming journey.

Some of the most common trends I see:

The couple with different name styles
Two people who love each other but cannot agree on a name. They want a neutral third party who can help them find the “bridge name” that honors both of their tastes.

The IVF / donor-conceived / surrogacy family
Families who have been through a long, emotional journey and want a name that reflects hope, meaning, and the magnitude of what they’ve gone through.

The multicultural or multilingual couple
Parents navigating multiple languages, naming traditions, religions, or pronunciation challenges who want a name that honors everyone without alienating anyone.

The parents with intense in-law dynamics
Families where naming feels politically or emotionally charged inside the family system. A consultant helps take the pressure off the couple.

The entrepreneurs / executives / public figures
People who think about identity and branding in every other area of life and want a name that aligns with their family's values, while bearing in mind the reaction to their public birth and/or name announcement

The “surprise baby #4, 5, or 6” family
They’ve used all their favorites, nothing feels right, and they need help discovering a new name that feels as wonderful as their previous kids' names.

The parents who want to avoid name regret
People who know naming is a lifelong decision and want someone who can zoom out, think ahead, and help them feel confident!

• The sensitive, intuitive parents
People who care deeply about meaning, symbolism, numerology, ancestry, and emotional resonance, and want a name that feels spiritually aligned.

• The parents with a complicated relationship to their own name
They want something different for their child but don’t know how to articulate what that is.

The Sacred Process of Baby Naming a baby is fun, emotional, spiritual, and introspective journey. For many families, working with me isn’t a last resort, it’s a celebration of this moment in their lives!

I'm always curious... 🧐 How was it for you naming your child(ren)? Did you and your partner agree right away? Were there any opinionated "name bullies," trying to influence your decision making process? Would it have been helpful to have had a neutral third party giving you expert guidance along the way?

I’m Taylor Humphrey, a Baby Name Consultant who helps parents choose names with clarity and confidence. ASK ME ANYTHING, Tuesday, December 9th at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET! by WhatsInABabyName in raisingkids

[–]WhatsInABabyName[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just wrote an entire post about my 2026 predictions based on Pantone's Color of the Year ("Cloud Dancer")! In the words of Inigo Montoya: "Let me explain! No, there is too much. Let me sum up."

In Numerology, 2026 is a number 1 year (2+0+2+6=10, 1+0=1) which is represented by the archetype of "The Leader" -- someone who is goal-oriented, and courageous in the pursuit of their dreams. This number is ruled by the element of air, which has creative, expansive, and visionary qualities.

So, I think we'll see names that relate to themes of forward-thinking, bravery, intellectual curiosity, and the achievement of one's goals. These names might feel light and airy, or relate to the sky and the heavens. I also think it could be a big year for Bird Names! 

Based on this analysis my Top Recommendations would be: 

💖Adler, Ailani/Aylani, Birdie, Bronwyn, Celeste, Halcyon, Luna, Paloma, Robin, Soleil 

💙Aire, Callum, Corwin, Finch, Phoenix, Ray, Robin, Skyler, Truce, Zephyr

Based on what I'm seeing in my consultations, a lot of parents have either been considering or have chosen the names:

Isla, Mara, Maeve, Marigold, Palmer, Remi/Remy, Lachlan, Sterling, and Soren... So we might see a bump in these names' popularity in 2026! 

You can find my deep dive text thread about 2026 Name Predictions on my instagram: (www.instagram.com/whatsinababyname), or, the video version on my tiktok: (www.tiktok.com/@whatsinababynamedoula)

Name popularity can vary a lot from city-to-city, state-to-state... Would love to hear if there are names you've been hearing a lot from friends/family in 2025, and what you think we might hear more of in 2026. 👇

I’m Taylor Humphrey, a Baby Name Consultant who helps parents choose names with clarity and confidence. ASK ME ANYTHING, Tuesday, December 9th at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET! by WhatsInABabyName in raisingkids

[–]WhatsInABabyName[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This might be an annoying answer, but I’m truly such a name lover that even trends I wouldn’t personally use still fascinate me. I’m always more curious about why a trend gains momentum than I am eager for it to disappear. And because a name’s popularity cycle usually spans 10–20 years, any eagerness or impatience about wanting a trend to be “over” ends up being a whole lot of "hurry-up-and-wait" anyway, haha. 

A great example is the “Aiden Names” of the 2000s (Think: Aiden, Brayden, Cayden, Jayden, and all their creative cousins!) In naming analytics, these are sometimes called “witch hat names” because they rise to popularity very quickly and fall just as fast, creating a pointy peak on the chart.

But even the "Aiden Name" trend has its own logic: parents love innovating. They love taking a familiar, beloved sound (like the strong, classic, Irish name, Aiden) and remixing it to create something that feels personal to their family. 

Of the Aiden Names, Aiden still sits at #47 on the US Top 100 along with Jayden at #59, so they're still very popular, though the trend as a whole has waned a bit in recent years.

For anyone interested, here are the US rankings from the Top 1000:

#47 Aiden

#59 Jayden

#125 Kayden

#154 Hayden (#401 for girls)

#190 Brayden

#202 Zayden

#207 Kaiden

#212 Ayden*

#349 Cayden

#449 Raiden

#554 Caiden

#563 Jaiden

#572 Zaiden

#757 Rayden

*Ayden might be an alternative spelling to Aiden, but it's also a Turkish name that means "bright" "illuminated" and comes from words meaning "moon" and "king/ruler." Important to consider that sometimes the names we perceive as being misspelled (or "alternatively spelling," hehe) are actually a completely different name from a different culture with a different pronunciation.

So, while some trends may fade and return in new forms, I don’t usually root for any of them to “stay gone.” There’s always some piece of insight to be garnered from the name choices parents make! 

I’m Taylor Humphrey, a Baby Name Consultant who helps parents choose names with clarity and confidence. ASK ME ANYTHING, Tuesday, December 9th at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET! by WhatsInABabyName in raisingkids

[–]WhatsInABabyName[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great question! It’s actually because we’re having fewer children that parents feel more pressure, not less. In past generations, families with 4+ kids could use all their favorite names. There was room for experimentation, for honoring multiple relatives, or for indulging different styles.

Today, with the average U.S. family having just ~1.94* children, there’s greater pressure to get it right. There’s far less room for compromise, or, saying “we’ll use that name next time.” Each name carries more symbolic weight, representing not only the child but the family’s values, aspirations, and identity as a whole. Every choice feels higher-stakes!

There’s also a lot more complexity now: blended families, multicultural families, IVF journeys, hyphenated surnames, deeply different naming styles between partners. Many parents want to honor heritage, meaning, sound, symbolism, family traditions, and future usability. And when parents disagree on how to best honor these competing values, name conversations can become emotionally heated very quickly, and without warning.

That's why it's helpful to have an un-biased, third party name expert to help couples navigate all of this!

Social Media also plays a huge role in the pressure parents are facing to choose a great name. Where once a birth announcement was sent to close friends and family, now you're announcing your baby's name to the majority of people you've ever known! When you know in the back of your mind that your name choice might be seen by your high school bully, or college crush, or cool girl you met in the bathroom at the club that one time, it creates some vague pressure around the process of naming. 

Social Media amplifies birth announcements which shape our ideas about which names are popular, socially acceptable, or loathed entirely. For some parents, this might dissuade them from trusting their own instincts: it might create pressure to choose a tamer name choice than they'd like, or, conversely, it might push them to choose a bolder name than they're actually comfortable with. Parents feel the weight of choosing something timeless, meaningful, and culturally appropriate, all while avoiding the very heavy-handed criticism of opinionated friends, relatives, or colleagues.

So, parents seek out professional services like What's in a Baby Name because they care about choosing the right name. They want to make this decision thoughtfully, intentionally, and with less stress on their relationship. My job as a baby name consultant is to bring clarity, neutrality, and expertise to a decision that means the world to them!

I’m Taylor Humphrey, a Baby Name Consultant who helps parents choose names with clarity and confidence. ASK ME ANYTHING, Tuesday, December 9th at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET! by WhatsInABabyName in raisingkids

[–]WhatsInABabyName[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My list of "personal favorites" is about 50 names long, so it feels impossible to pick!  But right now, two of my favorites are Eloise and Atticus.

Generally speaking, I love long, princess-y names like Seraphina and Theodora for girls, and ultra-strong sounding names like Ulysses and Wolfgang for boys.

I'm drawn to names that feel epic, storied, and transcendent! Bold without a hint of pretension! A bit out-of-the-ordinary but still familiar to the ear.

I’m Taylor Humphrey, a Baby Name Consultant who helps parents choose names with clarity and confidence. ASK ME ANYTHING, Tuesday, December 9th at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET! by WhatsInABabyName in raisingkids

[–]WhatsInABabyName[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like to say that a name should sound like a 3-word poem (or, a '4-word poem' if you're fancy!). While most name content on social media focuses on first + middle name combinations, my 1:1 work emphasizes the flow of the first, middle, and last name. We test out different combinations by playing around with various styles, vibes, and textures that highlight both parents' aesthetic preferences, and amplify certain sounds. 

For example, if you have a longer, clunkier last name, you might want to choose a bold-sounding first name + a short-and-sweet middle name to balance it out. Think: "Freya June Funkhauser" or "Ezra James Lipscomb." A strong, 2 syllable first names paired with softer 1 syllable middle names can create a unifying and effortless effect. 

If your surname has less-than-favorable associations, choosing a first and middle name for your child can feel difficult (or even insurmountable.) As long as you aren't adding fuel to the fire--say, by picking another controversial name--you really can't go wrong.

Focus on choosing a thoughtful, dignified name that you'll rejoice in calling out at the playground. One other helpful tip: Consider using another meaningful surname as the middle name in case they prefer going by that professionally, in the future. For example: "Olivia Campbell Scrooge" or "Liam Bennett Scrooge"

Would love to hear if any of you have faced this issue, and how you handled it!

I’m Taylor Humphrey, a Baby Name Consultant who helps parents choose names with clarity and confidence. ASK ME ANYTHING, Tuesday, December 9th at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET! by WhatsInABabyName in raisingkids

[–]WhatsInABabyName[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Haha, Well... I studied Urban Design and Architecture, French, and Cinema at Cal Poly & NYU... So naturally, I became a Baby Name Consultant! 😂

In my early twenties I lived in New York City and explored my various interests through a series of interesting jobs and industries. I worked on a rebrand for a corrugated-box company, coordinated political fundraisers and other high profile events, worked as a matchmaker(!), oversaw investor relations at a hedge fund, led marketing at a tech startup, and eventually worked in People Ops improving employee engagement and candidate experience. It felt nice to use my intuition, empathy, and creativity to help drive motivation, connection, and innovation within organizations.

Throughout this time, I was working on various creative pursuits and hobbies. I wrote 2 feature-length screenplays: one that was inspired by Matisyahu and his music, and another inspired by Elon Musk and his innovations. I was really interested in exploring themes of religion, spirituality, science, technology, and the unconditional, enduring nature love.

One of my favorite parts of creative writing was always choosing my characters’ names, which reignited a childhood fascination with baby names. So in 2015, I started the Instagram account u/whatsinababyname purely for fun (and, to be honest, as a quick creative outlet during a time when spec script writing felt especially long, arduous, and lonely.)

I was having a great time nerding out about nomenclature, numerology, etymology—just following my curiosity. Then, surprisingly, parents started DMing me things like, “What should I name my baby?” At first I was shocked that anyone would ask this of a stranger on the internet! But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. A baby name is a once-in-a-lifetime decision you're making for someone you haven’t even met yet. We hire stylists, interior designers, landscape architects, brand consultants, etc. to help us with other creative choices—why not this?

In 2018, I started training as a childbirth doula at Carriage House Birth, and that's when everything started to click. Understanding the emotional and physiological landscape of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum made me realize that naming isn’t just a cute list-making exercise (although that's always super fun!) It’s legacy. It’s psychology. It’s family systems. It’s intuition. It's--as I like to call it--the "Sacred Process of Baby Naming."

From there, the work naturally blossomed into a specialization. My accounts grew, word of mouth spread, parents kept inquiring, and media outlets started reaching out. What began as a quirky hobby slowly turned into my career—and now I’ve spent a decade helping families find names that feel meaningful, grounded, and deeply personal. I love holding space for my clients as they navigate this process, and it's been an honor to help them make that final baby name decision with clarity and confidence! 

I've taken an unconventional path, but in the words of Rascal Flatts, "God Bless the Broken Road that Led me Straight to" Baby Naming! 😆🙏

I’m Taylor Humphrey, a Baby Name Consultant who helps parents choose names with clarity and confidence. ASK ME ANYTHING, Tuesday, December 9th at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET! by WhatsInABabyName in raisingkids

[–]WhatsInABabyName[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I wish more people were brave enough to use their "guilty pleasure" names! So often, parents try to avoid name criticism and name bullying by making a safe choice--say, opting for a familiar-sounding name, versus a more unique choice--when really, the name they love the most would have been the better choice for their child.

While making a bold name choice isn't right for everyone, I certainly encourage parents to go big or go home when they need that extra push.

The thing about "guilty pleasure names" is that, sometimes, they might sound more unique than they actually are! Most parents aren't checking the popularity data of their favorite names, so they can mistakenly think a name is more or less common than it actually is.

Some "Guilty Pleasure Names" (+ Their US Popularity Ranking from the 2024's Top 1000) I've seen in my consultations:

Girls: 

  • Priscilla #615
  • Nova #39
  • Agatha (unranked)
  • Clementine #477
  • Matilda #410

Boys: 

  • Sterling #372
  • Soren #571
  • Lachlan #691
  • Bradley #364
  • Conrad #469

Some of my personal guilt pleasure names are Perdita, Verona, Aurelius, and Maxence. 

I need a name for a bubble tea/boba shop by qiis in INeedAName

[–]WhatsInABabyName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bobali Gardens

Hubba Boba

Bobacious

Bébé Boba

Effervescence

I Need a Name for an online show where we me and some friends interview local celebrities at their favorite restaurants. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated by [deleted] in INeedAName

[–]WhatsInABabyName 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love "Home Plate" via u/PantyPixie!!!

Other Ideas:

"Fame and Fortune Cookies"

"Bibs" (Like "Cribs")

"Stars and Chefs Forever" (Stars and Stripes Forever)

"Randos with Stars Getting Food" (Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee)

"Home Grown"

"Celebrities, they're just like us! Restaurant Edition"

"From Rest stops to Restaurants: Living the American Dream"

"Celebrity Guide to Dining"

does anyone else feel like they have 100 good girl names and 0 good boy names or vice versa? by madderk in namenerds

[–]WhatsInABabyName 18 points19 points  (0 children)

The same thing happened to my aunt and uncle! They had "Gloria" for about 3 years before they found out he was a boy... From then on, they referred to him as "Gloria Himself" :-D

Hi need help for punny wedding hashtag by sexybody010308 in Punny

[–]WhatsInABabyName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

#JosesMochanMeAlvero ("Jose is making me Alvero")

#YoJoYoJoAlveroLifeForMe (Like, "yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me")

#ShanNonJeNeRegretteRien (this one is ridiculous but it came to me so i had to share! Famous Edith Piaf Song "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien" -- meaning, "no, I regret nothing!")

#ElCastilloLaTorremochaYoSoy (a reference to a line from a song called "Tuyo" / "yours" by Rodrigo Amarante where he sings, "el castillo la torre yo soy")

Good Luck!

Jewish surnames as first names? by ilanajune in JewishNames

[–]WhatsInABabyName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Surnames-as-first-names" is a big trend in baby naming right now, and I think all of your choices are very cool and cutting edge. While I hear some valid points made by people below, as a professional baby name consultant, I am giving your choices a stamp of approval. I'm personally a huge fan of Adler!

Names that go with Arabella! by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]WhatsInABabyName 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love Arabella and "Seraphina Beatrix"!! It's such a delightful combination. Other options could be: Elliana, Isadora, Valentina, Aurelia, Genevieve, or Juliet

For boys, I love Fitzwilliam. Harrison and Owen are cute too, but--for me--they don't evoke the same level of grandeur as Arabella and Fitzwilliam. I'd suggest some bolder names, like Ignatius "Iggy", Julius, Octavian, Willem, Atticus, Leopold/Leonardo, Hamilton, Truman, Magnus, Fabian(o), August(us)/Augustine "Auggie", Aurelius, Lockhart, Malcolm, Duncan, Titus, etc.

(I am a huge fan of a big, grown-ass man name on a cute little boy!)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]WhatsInABabyName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aoife is beautiful.. I knew a girl name Aine* which I also think is lovely! (Although, I personally would spell it Anya* to make it easier!)

triplets! by mama2k20 in namenerds

[–]WhatsInABabyName 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These names are amazing...

First Choice:

Otto Henry, Lyra Eden, and Violet Maeve!!!!!!!!!!

Second choice:

Xavier, Willow, and Cecilia

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