There’s a lot of pressure when choosing a baby name. It’s a decision your child will carry for life and one that becomes part of your family’s story for generations (no pressure). While some families know exactly what they want, others have a much harder time narrowing the list down to one final choice.

When we found out we were having a boy, the first thing I did was start looking at names. I already had a girl’s name picked out, but not a boy’s name. As I searched through the options from A to Z, I realized there were several things worth considering before choosing our son’s name. Some of these may not apply to you, and some may seem a little silly, but they helped us narrow our list and find the right name for our family. I hope they help you, too!

Consider These 12 Things When Choosing a Baby Name

Choosing your baby’s name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The best way to choose a baby name is to think about what matters most to your family, whether that’s meaning, popularity, family history, pronunciation, or how it sounds with your last name. As you narrow your list, here are 12 things worth considering along the way.

1. What Does Your Partner Like?

As I said before, this may not apply to some soon-to-be moms. Some of you may have already called dibs on choosing the baby’s name. Maybe you don’t have a partner and will choose a baby name on your own. Or perhaps you know that your child’s name will be a Jr., a III, or a IV in the family. However, if you have a partner and are choosing a baby name, you should both like the name. Talk to your partner and ask if they already have names they like or preferences they want to share.

I first came up with a list of names I liked and asked my husband if he preferred any names. For example, did he prefer family names? Long names? Short names? Classic names? Newer, more popular names? This helped us whittle down our list and better understand what names would work best for our family.

Related: What to Do When You Can’t Agree on a Baby Name

2. Do Either of You Have Any Hard Rules?

Some people have hard rules when it comes to names. For example, some want it to be only two syllables. Or end in a vowel, not in a vowel, or start with a particular letter. Sometimes it’s easier to start by figuring out what you don’t like. Eliminating names can make it much easier to narrow your list.

As for my husband, Brian doesn’t like “cutesy” names; basically, any name that could result in a nickname ending with a -y. For example, Andrew = Andy, Thomas = Tommy, Charles = Charlie, or Vincent = Vinny. You get the idea. It’s a silly rule, but that’s his preference. This narrowed my list down quite a bit.

3. How Popular Is the Name?

This may not matter to you, but to others, it’s important not to give their child a common or popular name. They don’t want their child to be in a classroom with four other kids with the same name. They want their child to have a unique name and have them feel like they’re special and one of a kind, not one of many. Determine if this is important to you.

I always thought I would choose a baby name that wasn’t in the top 20, but once we found a name we both loved, popularity mattered less to me. You may feel the same. Liam was the first name I really loved and the only one my husband liked. Even though that name is always on the most popular names lists, obviously, it ultimately didn’t matter to us. We still picked it. It had more meaning to us. I also like that Liam was the first name I asked my husband about the day we found out we were having a boy. I think it was meant to be.

4. Are Family Names Important?

I don’t know about you, but I love family names. Having a name with family history and meaning in your family tree is so special. However, some people aren’t as keen on family names. They feel they are outdated and boring. This is why you should talk about this with your family. Maybe you both don’t have any family names that you like. That may help you decide not to give your baby a family name.

Our son’s name, Liam, is a family name. Let me explain. My grandfather, who recently passed away, was named William, and Liam is short for William. I also considered naming my son after my brother, Ian, but I wanted him to have his own identity since my brother is still living. I thought that the name Liam sounded similar enough to my brother’s name, and it also pays homage to my late grandfather, William. This is why I ultimately didn’t care if the name was popular.

I loved it and knew it was the perfect name for our son. Because to me, family is everything, and there is no greater way to honor the ones you love than by naming your child after them. We also chose Brian’s middle name, Coe, which is also his father’s middle name, and his grandmother’s maiden name, for our son’s middle name. Family names are special to us.

Related: 7 Tips for Picking the Perfect Baby Name

5. What Will the Initials or Monogram Be?

If you’re from the South, you’ve probably already thought about this. What will their initials or monogram spell? For example, my uncle’s name is Thomas Randall Dismukes. His initials spell TRD. As a child, he was called “turd” and bullied. This may not be a big deal to you. That’s okay too. It just might be something to consider.

We felt safe with Liam’s initials (LCS) and monogram (LSC).

6. Does the Name Carry Unwanted Associations?

I feel like EVERYONE has this problem when going over baby names with their partner. A name will be mentioned, and one of you will be reminded of an ex-boyfriend, an ex-girlfriend, an ex-friend, an old boss, a troubled kid, someone from your past, etc. That can quickly narrow your list.

Luckily for us, neither of us knew any adults named Liam. Except for Liam Neeson and Liam Hemsworth. Which I am totally okay with. 😉

7. Is It Easy to Make Fun Of?

Kids can be creative, and sometimes they notice things adults don’t. They can pretty much find any way to make fun of a name, so this can be tricky to avoid. But ask yourself if the name you like rhymes with anything. Can it be shortened into something else? For example, Victoria may go by Vicky, then be called Icky Vicky. But it doesn’t have to rhyme at all. For example, the name Richard. You may not want your kid to be called Dick. Yes, these are silly things to think about. Kids don’t always realize how their words affect others. I’m not saying don’t name your child these names, because I like these names, I’m just saying consider this and determine if that’s something that will bother you before you choose a baby name.

8. Is It Easy to Pronounce?

I wanted a first name for our son that you could read and automatically know how to pronounce. Other people like to choose a unique name or a cool way to spell their child’s name. This may confuse people when they read it aloud. Decide if that matters to you before picking a name and its spelling. Do you mind if people ask how to spell or pronounce the name often?

Related: I Don’t Need (Or Want) Your Opinion About My Baby’s Name

9. What Does the Name Mean?

Many people choose their child’s name by looking at its meaning. I have a friend who was interested in biblical boy names. She chose her son’s name, Gabriel, because not only did she love the name, she loved the meaning: “man of God,” “devoted to God,” “a hero of God,” or “God is my strength.” Sometimes a name’s meaning is what makes it feel like the perfect fit. As for us, the meaning behind a name didn’t matter, so we didn’t look them up.

10. How Does It Sound With Your Last Name?

I will never forget when one of our writers, Sarah, told me that she always loved the name Blaire for a little girl. The problem is that her married last name is Ring. So that would have made her daughter’s name Blaire Ring. Blar-ing. See how that doesn’t work . . . It’s like the movie The Wedding Singer, “Julia Gulia.” It just doesn’t work. This point, I think, should be considered by ALL soon-to-be parents.

11. How Does It Fit With Sibling Names?

Maybe you have other children and want your kids’ names to sound good together. Perhaps you want their names to start with the same letter or have the same number of letters or syllables. For example, if your first child’s name is Samuel, you may not want to name your second child a name like Ignacio. But maybe you do! Some people want the names to sound similar when they say all their kids’ names. This may not be a big deal to you, though.

12. Do You Want a Unisex Name?

Another thing to consider is whether you like gender-neutral names. Some are really cute, like the name Taylor. I’ve met both girls and boys named Taylor. I’ve also met boys named Whitney and Ashley and girls named Bradley, Cooper, and Spencer. I like unisex names, but I know of others who don’t. Talk about this with your partner to see whether you need to keep it off the baby name list or if it can stay.

Choosing a baby name can feel overwhelming, but it can also be one of the most joyful parts of preparing for your baby. Talk through your options, say the full name out loud, think about what matters most to your family, and trust your instincts.

You may not find the perfect name right away, but when you land on one that feels right, you’ll know. And if you need more inspiration, visit our baby names hub for more ideas.