How It Works: Our 7 Analysis Criteria
Baby Name Advisor analyzes names across seven key criteria to provide a comprehensive understanding of each name's strengths and potential challenges.
Meaning & Cultural Identity
We analyze the name's origins, cultural associations, historical significance, and symbolic meaning. This includes evaluating how strongly tied the name is to specific cultures, religions, or languages and whether using it outside those contexts could be considered cultural appropriation.
Names score highly when they have positive meanings, clear cultural connections, and historical depth.
Trendiness & Timelessness
We evaluate the name's current popularity trends, historical usage patterns, and potential for longevity. This includes considering whether the name feels trendy or tied to a specific era, and whether it might seem dated or unusual in the future.
Names score highly when they have enduring appeal across generations without feeling outdated or overly trendy.
Sound & Usability
We assess the name's pronunciation clarity, spelling intuitiveness, and how it flows with different middle and last names. This includes evaluating potential pronunciation challenges, spelling variations, and how the name sounds aloud.
Names score highly when they're easy to pronounce, spell, and flow well in a full name context.
Nickname Flexibility
We examine natural nickname options, versatility across life stages, and how easily the name can adapt from childhood to adulthood. This includes considering whether the name offers options for both formal and informal use.
Names score highly when they provide multiple appealing nickname options that work well at different ages and in different contexts.
Professional Presence
We evaluate how the name might be perceived in professional settings, including academic, business, political, and creative contexts. This includes considering implicit biases, international usability, and how the name might appear on resumes or in professional communications.
Names score highly when they convey competence and professionalism across different fields and cultures.
Teasing & Bullying Risk
We identify potential sources of teasing or bullying, including problematic rhymes, unfortunate acronyms, or negative associations. This includes considering how the name might be received by peers, especially during school years.
Names score highly when they're unlikely to invite teasing and don't have negative connotations.
Digital Presence & Brandability
We assess the name's memorability, uniqueness in digital spaces, and potential for creating a strong personal brand. This includes evaluating domain name availability, social media handle uniqueness, and how the name might function in a globalized, digital world.
Names score highly when they're distinctive but not confusing, have positive associations online, and offer branding potential.
Our Scoring System
Each criterion is scored on a scale of 1-10, with detailed explanations for every score. Instead of providing a simple average as an overall score, we use a badge system that better reflects the complex nature of naming:
Standout
3+ categories ≥ 9
Strong All-Around
All categories ≥ 7
Promising, with Tradeoffs
1-2 categories < 6
Mixed or Risky
2+ categories < 6
High Risk
3+ categories < 5 OR 1 category ≤ 2
Remember
Baby Name Advisor provides objective insights based on our analysis criteria, but the perfect name is ultimately a personal choice. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision, not to make the decision for you.