Find the Perfect Baby Name
Spin & Decide
Can't agree on a baby name? End the debate with a spin. Pre-loaded with 40 popular names from 2024-2026 (boys and girls), or add your own family favorites. Perfect for couples who love every name—or can't agree on any.
How Expecting Parents Use the Baby Name Wheel
From breaking stalemates to discovering hidden favorites—find your baby's perfect name.
Breaking Baby Name Stalemate Between Partners
You love Emma. Your partner loves Olivia. Neither will budge. Add both names (plus a few others you both like) and spin. Sometimes a neutral decision-maker is exactly what couples need. The wheel removes ego from the equation—nobody wins, nobody loses.
Narrowing Down a Long List
Started with 50 names and can't get below 20? Load them all into the wheel. Spin once and remove the winner (or the loser—your choice). Keep going until you're left with a manageable top 5. Eliminates paralysis by analysis.
The Elimination Wheel Technique
This is the method parents swear by: Add your top 20 finalists. Spin and eliminate the loser (not the winner). Repeat until only 3-5 names remain. Live with those finalists for a week. Then do a final spin. The name that feels right will emerge—and you'll know it when you see it.
Finding Inspiration From Popular Names
Not sure where to start? Use the 40 pre-loaded popular names from 2024-2026 as inspiration. Spin through them, see which ones resonate. Remove the ones that feel wrong. Add variations you prefer. The wheel helps you discover your taste, even if you don't choose a pre-loaded name.
Testing Name Reactions
When the wheel lands on a name, check your gut reaction. Excited? Disappointed? Indifferent? Your emotional response reveals your true feelings. If you find yourself hoping it doesn't land on "Jackson," that's valuable data—remove it. The wheel shows you what you really want.
Family Naming Traditions
Honoring grandparents, cultural traditions, or religious customs? Add all the family names to the wheel and let fate (or faith) decide. Takes pressure off choosing between relatives. Everyone understands the wheel is neutral—no hurt feelings.
The Wheel Method for Baby Names
A proven four-step process used by real parents to find "the one."
Add Your Top 20 Finalist Names
Don't start with 100 names—you'll be spinning forever. Do the hard work first: narrow it down to your top 20-25 names through discussion, baby name books, or online lists. Only add names that both partners find acceptable. If one person hates a name, it doesn't go on the wheel.
Spin and Eliminate the Loser (Not the Winner)
This is the key psychological trick. When the wheel lands on a name, remove that one. Why? Because your gut reaction tells you which names to keep. If you're relieved when "Aiden" gets eliminated, it wasn't the right name. If you're disappointed, add it back. This technique reveals your true preferences faster than traditional pros/cons lists.
Repeat Until 3-5 Names Remain
Keep spinning and eliminating until you're down to a tight shortlist of 3-5 names. At this point, every remaining name should feel like a genuine contender—no filler, no "maybes." These are your finalists. Write them down. Say them out loud with your last name. Imagine calling them across a playground.
Live With Finalists for a Week, Then Final Spin
Don't rush the final decision. Spend a week calling the baby by each finalist name in conversation. "How's little Oliver doing today?" Does it feel natural? After a week, do a final spin with the 3-5 finalists. The name that lands will either feel perfect—or you'll know immediately it's wrong. Trust that instinct. Sometimes you need to see a name chosen to know if it's right.
Why This Method Works Psychologically
Traditional baby name selection creates decision paralysis—too many options, too much emotion, too high stakes. The elimination wheel flips the script. Instead of choosing what you want (overwhelming), you eliminate what you don't want (easier). Your brain processes rejection faster than selection. By round 10, patterns emerge. By round 15, you know your top 3. The wheel doesn't make the decision for you—it reveals the decision you've already made subconsciously.
Choosing the Right Baby Name: Beyond the Wheel
Practical advice from parents, pediatricians, and naming experts.
Check Name Meanings and Origins
Before committing, research what the name actually means. "Cecilia" means blind. "Cameron" means crooked nose. "Claudia" means lame. Most people don't know their name's literal meaning—and it rarely matters—but you should know what you're choosing. Websites like Behind the Name, Nameberry, and Baby Name Wizard provide etymologies and cultural context. Some parents care deeply about meaning; others don't. Decide which camp you're in before the birth certificate is signed.
Say It Out Loud With Your Last Name
A beautiful first name can sound awkward with your surname. "Ella Laderman" creates an "L" repetition. "Anna Anderson" is tongue-twisting. "Justin Case" is a joke waiting to happen. Say the full name out loud 20 times. Say it fast, say it slow, say it angrily (because you will). If it feels clunky, cross it off. Also test the initials—see the next tip.
Consider Nicknames and Avoid Unfortunate Initials
Every name has nicknames—some cute, some cruel. "Richard" becomes "Dick." "Penelope" becomes "Penny" or "Poppy." Make peace with the likely nicknames before committing. Also check initials. "Penelope Ivy Garcia" spells P.I.G. "Andrew Steven Smith" spells A.S.S. If the middle name creates a bad acronym, switch it. Teachers, coaches, and kids will notice initials—guaranteed.
Search Popularity Trends (But Don't Obsess)
Check the Social Security Administration's baby name database to see how popular your choice is. Top 10 names mean your child will likely share their name with classmates. Names ranked 200-500 offer familiarity without oversaturation. Names outside the top 1000 are truly unique—but may require constant spelling corrections. There's no right answer, but knowing the popularity helps set expectations. Don't let trends dictate your choice, but don't ignore them either.
Think About Playground and Professional Contexts
Your baby will be a child, a teenager, and an adult. "Princess" works at age 3, but how does it sound on a resume at 30? "Maverick" is cool in kindergarten, but does it fit a surgeon? On the flip side, "Gertrude" and "Herbert" are professional but may feel outdated on a playground in 2026. Aim for a name that works across life stages. Timeless beats trendy. A name should grow with your child, not against them.