Keeping a Baby Name Favorites List That Actually Helps You

Three Statuses Are Enough to Get Started

Favorite means: I want to see this name again. Maybe means: Something is still up in the air. Doesn't fit means: This suggestion does not belong in my selection right now. These statuses don't have to be final verdicts.

Start by collecting names independently. This gives each person room for their own taste. In HeyName, you can then see which identical spellings you both marked with a heart.

Undecided Names Need a Specific Question

When a name is set to Maybe, make a mental note or jot down on your own list what is missing. Is it the pronunciation? A specific spelling? The combination with the last name? A specific question can be answered later.

A vague “somehow not yet” is completely fine, too. In that case, take a break and look at it again later instead of forcing a long justification right away.

Keep the Shared Selection Small

Select a small number of shared favorites for a conversation. Three names can be compared directly without constantly jumping between many options. Additional favorited names can stay saved and be brought back in later.

A name that is eliminated in one round of discussion does not have to disappear from your entire personal saved list. Personal preferences and your shared shortlist serve different purposes.

Read next: Comparing Three Baby Names: A Decision Table for Your Final Round

Tidy Up and Back Up Occasionally

Regularly review your Maybe list and resolve individual open questions. Before switching devices, also check your backup options. The local saved list and a connection with a second device are two different things; connecting does not automatically replace every backup.

In the final round, write down the complete spelling. That way, the list ends with a concrete shared choice rather than just a similar sound.

Read next: Spelling Variations in Baby Names: How to Decide on One Form