Baby Name Central

Google "baby names" and you'll get more than 16 million web site results - not too helpful for desperate parents who can't pare down a list..

Making baby naming especially difficult is that parents want their kids to be special and stand out in an increasingly hyper-competitive world. Gone are the days when a child's moniker was simply picked from the family tree - when Barbara Ann was named after paternal grandmother Barbara and maternal grandmother-well, you know. While a unique first name is one way to make sure no teacher confuses your Alessandra with the four Ashleys in her class, it doesn't necessarily give credit where credit is due, namely, to you. "Me Generation" parents, after all, want to be reflected in their child's greatness. But how can these moms and dads make sure their child stands out while also leaving their mark?

Some parents are getting just as creative with the use of last names as they are with first names, using it to honor both father and mother, who's last name is traditionally dropped in favor of the paternal surname. Certainly, you don't have to give your little one a combined moniker like one's found in the Hollywood tabloids -, like TomKat or Gyllenspoon but the ever-popular notion of combining names is a surefire way to give your kid a name no one else has while ensuring that everyone knows he or she is your kid.

Bottom line: There are no wrong names. Combining parts of Mom and Dad are what makes this baby special in the first place.


Combination 1: Combine syllables or letters from each parent's name to create a new one.

* Katherine and Lee's child could be Kaylee or Katelin or Lake or Link (or even "Leather" for the truly adventurous)
* Joe and Annie's child: Joanne, Joan, Jenna, John, Jonah
* Simon and Jessica's: Jamison, Jason, Cassie, Josie

Can't come up with anything? Visit a name scramble web site for free, fun help!


Combination 2: Modernize Mom or Dad's first name with a hip prefix or suffix.

* Add "De-" to a boy's name to make it funky: DePaul, DeAndre, DeJon
* Tack on "-lee" (or "ley" or "leigh" or "li") for a cute girl's name: Jillee, Donnalee, Annaleigh, Kristalie (Dessert lovers might even consider Saralee!)


Combination 3: Forget the hyphen, use the maternal maiden name at the beginning.

Mom's surname may prove to be a super cool first name. What boy wouldn't love answering to Washington or Jefferson? Put in front of Dad's surname and the combination is truly unique.

* Kelly Preston and John Travolta's kid might be Preston Travolta
* Jessica Alba and Cash Warren's daughter: Alba Warren

Other celebrity offspring might include Berry Aubrey, Simpson Wentz, and Richie Madden


Combination 4: Can't choose between two favorite names? Use both! Even boy and girl names can work together.

* He likes the name Amber, she want's Kimberly. Why not Amberly?
* Fred and Ella: Fredella
* David and Lynn: Davelin
* Daniel and Mark: Danmark