If you fell in love with a baby name that’s turning out to be everyone else’s new fave too, you’re not alone. Even after scouring the web for hours and thumbing through mountains of baby name books, it can be easy to fall for a name and then discover it’s been on the most popular list for the last few years–especially as a first-time parent. (Hey, it happens to the best of us.) We asked Jennifer Moss, baby names expert and co-founder of BabyNames.com, to give parents-to-be some advice when everyone else has stolen your baby name thunder, and offer some unique alternatives you’ll love too.
Tip #1: Identify what you love about the name Take what you love about Sophia or Ethan and apply it to other names. Is it the way it sounds with your last name? Is it the impression you feel it leaves on a person? Or does the name have some significance in your family that you’d like to hang on to? You don’t have to completely abandon everything about a name just because it’s popular—depending on what you love most, stick with a similar theme, the same kinds of sounds, the number of syllables, or even the first letter when switching to an alternative. Use The Bump Baby Name Finder to find name alternatives for some of your faves.
Tip #2: Get out the family tree Parents should be open to new avenues when looking for an alternative. First stop? “Look in your family tree,” says Moss. “At both first names and last. Last names are a great way to honor a whole branch of the family tree instead of just one person.”
Tip #3: Think outside the box Still haven’t found a good alternative? Moss suggests you and your partner look to people you’ve admired in your lives and start there. “Look to the people who have influenced you, like teachers, mentors and coaches,” she says. Another tip: Consider place names—the city you met in, the towns you grew up in, where you honeymooned. Even street names can offer some inspiration. Related VideoStill no luck? Don’t stress. With the help of Moss, we rounded up the top 20 baby names and similar—but unique—alternatives to them.
Top 10 Girls’ Names If you’re stuck on: Isabella Try: Annabelle, Ariel, or Bella If you’re stuck on: Sophia Try: Sonia, Sarah, Josephine If you’re stuck on: Emma Try: Grace, Adriana, or Mia If you’re stuck on: Olivia Try: Emilia, Amelia, or Elise If you’re stuck on: Ava Try: Ana, Erin, or Victoria If you’re stuck on: Emily Try: Ella, Matilda, or Eden If you’re stuck on: Abigail Try: Adelaide, Elizabeth, or Gillian If you’re stuck on: Madison Try: Addison, Madeline, or Miranda If you’re stuck on: Chloe Try: Zoey, Charlotte, or Oriana If you’re stuck on: Mia Try: Maya, Mikayla, or Amelia
Top 10 Boys’ Names If you’re stuck on: Jacob Try: Jerod, Nathaniel, or Jonathan If you’re stuck on: Ethan Try: Nathan, Nathaniel, or Benjamin If you’re stuck on: Michael Try: Morgan, Mickey, Ryan If you’re stuck on: Jayden Try: Jordan, Jonathan, or Jason If you’re stuck on: William Try: Wynn, Charles, or Willem If you’re stuck on: Alexander Try: Aldon, Xander, or Alec If you’re stuck on: Noah Try: Noel, Isaiah, or Aaron If you’re stuck on: Daniel Try: Dante, Donovan, or David If you’re stuck on: Aiden Try: Adrian, Declan, or Austin If you’re stuck on: Anthony Try: Alexander, Trevor, or Andrew
