Naming Bebe: How to Choose a Baby Name You’ll Love for Life – Podcast Ep 196 - Baby Chick
Menu
Subscribe Search
Home > Pregnancy > Baby Names

Naming Bebe: How to Choose a Baby Name You’ll Love for Life – Podcast Ep 196

Feeling stuck on baby names? Naming expert Colleen Slagen shares how to choose a meaningful name you’ll love for life.

Published January 26, 2026

by Nina Spears

The Baby Chick®: Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Expert | Birth & Postpartum Doula & Childbirth Educator
Share
  • Link copied
Cute baby chick ultrasound, pregnant woman and partner happily examining baby scans.

We handpick products with expert insight, hands-on experience, and parent feedback. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, helping us keep our content free. ❤️ [Learn more]

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Audible

Choosing the perfect baby name might be one of the biggest decisions you make (especially in the early years) as a parent.

Whether you’ve had a name list ready since you were 12 or feel completely stuck scrolling through lists, we all want to pick a name that feels meaningful and just right for our child. But with opinions coming at you from every direction, this can quickly turn into one of the most stressful parts of the baby prep process.

That’s why I invited Colleen Slagen, founder of Naming Bebe and professional baby name consultant, to join me on today’s episode of Chick Chat. Colleen has a true gift for helping parents choose a name they’ll love for life, and she’s sharing her best tips with us.

Who is Colleen Slagen?

Adorable baby chick hatchling with soft yellow feathers.

Colleen Slagen is the founder of Naming Bebe, where she helps parents find baby names that feel true to their style, values, and story. A former nurse practitioner, Colleen launched her naming consultancy in 2021 and has quickly become one of the most trusted voices in the space. Her insights have been featured by NPR, The Today Show, ABC News, The Washington Post, and more. She is also the author of the book Naming Bebe, a next-generation baby name book that’s full of activities, advice, and inspiration for parents on the hunt for the right name.

Naming Bebe book cover
Buy Here

Through her book, private consultations, naming style quizzes, custom lists, and content that’s reached millions online, Colleen empowers parents to make confident, joyful decisions about their baby’s name. I couldn’t wait to dive in and learn from her what every expecting parent should consider when it comes to naming their baby.

What Did We Discuss?

In this episode, we cover:

  • What a professional baby name consultant actually does
  • How to get unstuck when you can’t find “the one perfect name”
  • Tips for couples who can’t agree on a name
  • Naming strategies for siblings that don’t sound cheesy
  • How to handle it when someone “steals” your favorite name
  • Navigating family name traditions and expectations
  • Naming trends you’ll want to know about
  • Avoiding common baby name regrets
  • Plus, Colleen’s #1 piece of advice for every parent naming a baby

Whether you’re into vintage charm, modern flair, or something one-of-a-kind, this conversation is packed with creativity and confidence-building tips to make the naming process feel exciting and fun again.

Final Thoughts

In my opinion, naming your baby isn’t just a checklist item; it’s the beginning of their story. And it’s okay if that process feels a little emotional or overwhelming for you. For many of us, we feel that way, too. What matters most is that the name you choose feels meaningful to you. This episode was a refreshing reminder that with the right tools (and mindset), naming your baby can actually be fun and even healing.

So whether you’re narrowing down your top three or just getting started, I hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired and excited for what’s to come!

Colleen’s Resources:

We hope you found this episode helpful. If you did and enjoyed it, please subscribe to our podcast, Chick Chat, and leave us an honest review. Links below!

Share
  • Link copied
Was this article helpful?
  • Author
Nina Spears with shoulder-length blonde hair is smiling at the camera. They are wearing a maroon top and a thin gold necklace. The background is plain and light-colored.
Nina Spears The Baby Chick®: Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum Expert | Birth & Postpartum Doula & Childbirth Educator
  • Social
  • Social
  • Social
  • Social
  • Social
  • Social

Nina is The Baby Chick® and the Founder and CEO of Baby Chick®. She received her baby planning certification in early 2011 and began attending births that same year. Since then, Nina has received her birth doula and postpartum doula certifications from DONA International, her childbirth educator certification from ICEA, her Hynobabies Hypno-Doula certification, and her infant massage instructor certification from Loving Touch, among other certifications. Nina has used her knowledge and expertise to teach and support families during their pregnancies, at their births, and throughout their postpartum journeys for over 14 years.

Early in her career, Nina acquired her nickname from one of her birth doula clients, who lovingly referred to her as “The Baby Chick.” The “chick” who…

Read full bio

Baby Names by Letter

Browse A–Z baby names and find the perfect fit for your family.

Boy names Girl names
A baby with curly hair is lying down on a patterned cushion, wearing a white shirt and a navy blue bow tie. The cushion has a knitted snowflake design. The baby, who certainly deserves one of those unique boy names that start with A, is looking at the camera with a slight smile.

249 Baby Boy Names That Start With A
A baby named Benjamin sleeps peacefully, swaddled in a soft, gray knitted blanket. The baby is wearing a gray knit hat and has their right hand under their head. A small, crocheted stuffed toy is tucked under the baby's left arm.

200 Baby Boy Names That Start With B
A baby is wrapped in a light blue blanket and wearing a light blue knit hat. The baby is lying in a round wooden basket lined with fluffy white fabric against a background of weathered blue wooden planks, perhaps dreaming of c names for boys like Charles or Caleb, with one hand near the mouth.

198 Baby Boy Names That Start With C
A baby sleeping peacefully in someone's arms, wearing a white outfit and a knitted blanket. The person's hands are gently holding the baby's hands. The scene exudes a sense of calm and tenderness, perfect for little ones with charming D names for boys.

200 Baby Boy Names That Start With D
A baby with blue eyes lies on a white carpet, wearing a white hooded outfit with bear ears. The baby gazes curiously at the camera, with the hood partially covering their head. The background is blurred, showing books on a shelf that could inspire e boy names.

225 Baby Boy Names That Start With E
A baby with short light hair is lying on a bed on its stomach, looking at the camera with a wide smile. Soft, natural light from a window behind the baby bathes him in a gentle glow, while a green plant is partially visible in the background—a perfect moment for those considering boy names that start with F.

249 Baby Boy Names That Start With F
A baby lying on a bed on their stomach, wearing a gray outfit with small prints and blue pants. The baby is smiling, with wide eyes and arms extended forward. If you're looking for inspiration, consider popular boy names that start with G as you gaze at this joyful scene in the blurred indoor setting.

248 Baby Boy Names That Start With G
A smiling baby is being held above by an adult, who is lying down and looking up at the baby. They both appear to be playing and enjoying each other's company. Perhaps they're already thinking of H names for boys, illuminated by the bright natural light coming through a window in the blurred interior background.

250 Baby Boy Names That Start With H
A baby with a pacifier is sleeping, wrapped in a light blue blanket. The baby, perhaps destined for one of those charming boy names that start with "I," is being held, with a hand resting gently next to them. The background is softly lit and slightly blurred.

226 Baby Boy Names That Start With I
A baby boy with blue eyes and light hair is lying on a white blanket, wearing a light blue and white striped onesie, and smiling with an open mouth. Parents looking for boy names that start with J might find inspiration from his joyful expression.

250 Baby Boy Names That Start With J
A baby wearing a light beige shirt is smiling widely with an open mouth, showing a small part of their teeth. The baby, whose parents are considering boy names that start with K, has a short tuft of hair standing up on top of their head. The background is a plain white wall.

252 Baby Boy Names That Start With K
A baby named Liam, dressed in a white onesie, sits on a bed while smiling at the camera. The background is a softly lit room with white curtains.

230 Baby Boy Names That Start With L
A baby with curly hair, potentially one of those adorable boy names that start with M, is dressed in a white onesie with black star patterns and teal trim, looking directly at the camera. The cozy indoor setting features a person in gray clothing visible in the blurred background.

301 Baby Boy Names That Start With M
A close-up of a smiling baby with curly hair, wearing a yellow and white striped shirt. The baby, likely to be one of those charming n boy names like Noah or Nathan, is looking directly at the camera with an open mouth and bright eyes. The background is blurred and appears to be outdoors.

200 Baby Boy Names That Start With N
A sleeping baby rests on a fluffy white cushion inside a light blue bucket. The baby's head is tilted forward, and arms are folded under the head. The background is a warm-toned wooden surface, giving a cozy atmosphere—perfect for parents considering boy names that start with O.

249 Baby Boy Names That Start With O
A baby named Parker is sleeping while holding a small teddy bear. The baby is wrapped in a blue blanket and wearing a white outfit with a blue and white striped hat. The background consists of a blue knitted fabric.

300 Baby Boy Names That Start With P
A close-up of a smiling baby boy with dark skin, wearing a red, white, and blue striped outfit. The baby has dimples and a small amount of drool is visible. The background is slightly blurred, with hints of green foliage. If you're looking for Q boy names for this adorable little one, Quinlan might fit perfectly.

201 Baby Boy Names That Start With Q
A baby named Rowan lies on its stomach on a white surface, facing the camera with a smile. The baby is wearing a white outfit. The background is softly blurred with natural light, creating a warm and gentle atmosphere.

260 Baby Boy Names That Start With R
A baby wrapped in a brown blanket lies on a furry green cushion. The baby is holding a small white plush bear and looking up at the camera, as if contemplating s names for boys. The background features wooden planks, adding a rustic feel to the scene.

268 Baby Boy Names That Start With S
A baby with a focused expression is crawling on a bed. The boy, possibly destined for one of those strong T names, is wearing a grey, hooded sweater. The background includes white bedding and a headboard, with a soft light coming from the left side.

250 Baby Boy Names That Start With T
A baby with dark skin is lying on a light-colored textured blanket, partially covered by a soft cloth. The baby is looking at the camera with a small smile and has its arms slightly raised, perfect for parents considering boy names that start with U.

176 Baby Boy Names That Start With U
A young boy with curly hair and wearing a striped orange and blue shirt is sitting on a black rug. The child, potentially named Victor or Vincent from popular V names for boys, is smiling and looking slightly upwards. The background includes a wooden floor and some indistinct objects.

300 Baby Boy Names That Start With V
A baby wearing a light green onesie is crawling on a bed with a white blanket. The baby, perhaps named one of those popular boy names that start with W, has a slight smile and looks towards the camera. In the background, there is a crib decorated with a string of triangular flags.

250 Baby Boy Names That Start With W
A baby boy wearing a white onesie is crawling on a wooden floor. The baby, who might someday be exploring boy names that start with X, has curly hair and is surrounded by colorful toys, including a large orange ring and some foam blocks. There are plush animals and a bed in the background.

310 Baby Boy Names That Start With X
A toddler wearing a red long-sleeve shirt and patterned pants is on the grass with one hand touching an orange ball. The child, possibly one of those unique boy names that start with Y, is smiling and positioned in front of a brick wall and a swing set.

254 Baby Boy Names That Start With Y
A small child named Zane, wearing a gray sweater, blue pants, and white shoes, is sitting on a slide. The child is smiling and holding onto the sides of the slide with their hands.

251 Baby Boy Names That Start With Z
Due date

Due Date Calculator

Gender

Chinese Gender Calendar

let’s get you ready!

The Birth You Deserve Starts Here

Join trusted doula Nina Spears in The Birth Prep Challenge — an expert-designed, step-by-step program with daily lessons, partner prep, and real support to help you feel fully prepared during pregnancy and when labor begins.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Learn More
Baby Chick App
Get Our Free Mom Newsletter