10 questions you should ask yourself when choosing a name

Most parents are particularly concerned with one question during pregnancy: What should our baby be called? Not an easy decision! Whether you're looking for a girl's name or a boy's name – we've compiled 10 questions to help you decide on a baby name.

If you and your partner each have your own ideas about your desired name, the will help you find first names that both of you like. With more than 12,000 possible first names and our 10 questions in mind, you'll surely find your favorite name very soon!

1. WIE VIELE VORNAMEN SOLL MEIN KIND BEKOMMEN?

Pippilotta Viktualia Rollgardina Pfefferminz Efraimstochter Langstrumpf – would such a long name, like the one Pippi Longstocking bears, even be approved in Germany? Actually, yes! Because according to German naming law, up to five first names are allowed (why Pippi's name would still be rejected, you can find out in question 9). Some parents choose multiple names so they don't have to decide between two favorites. Others want their child to carry the name of the grandmother or grandfather as a second name. Regardless of your reasons – if your baby's second name is already decided, you have the option to LILLYDOO – Baby Names to register and thus find a first name that fits optimally.

2. SOLL MEIN KIND EINEN BELIEBTEN ODER AUSSERGEWÖHNLICHEN NAMEN TRAGEN

Will the little one Sophie called by their parents on the playground, probably not only one child turns around. If you want to avoid such situations with an extraordinary first name, it may also be that your daughter will have to spell her name for a lifetime. Both common and unusual first names have their advantages and disadvantages, which you need to weigh up for yourself. In the LILLYDOO Name Finder, you'll find inspiration for both categories. All fans of unique first names can select the option “Exceptional Names” in the filter settings and swipe through names that probably no other child in the class will have.

3. WELCHE VORNAMEN PASSEN ZUM NACHNAMEN?

In general: If you have a long last name, shorter first names are usually more suitable. This helps prevent your child's name from overflowing every form later on. ;) With a short last name, a slightly longer first name is also fine. It's best to say both names out loud together once and also write them down. This way, you not only get a sense of the overall sound of the name (too many identical vowels often sound unpleasant), but you also avoid unfavorable combinations like the often ridiculed name. Axel Welding or Rainer Zufall . Instead of a middle name, you can choose the name suggestions in LILLYDOO – Baby Names therefore also display together with your last name.

4. WIE KOMPLIZIERT SIND AUSSPRACHE UND SCHREIBWEISE DES NAMENS?

As already mentioned in point 2: When it comes to unusual first names, keep in mind that your child will probably have to spell their name frequently and explain its pronunciation. The same applies to unusual spellings of common names, such as Yann or Iulia . That doesn't have to be negative, but you should keep it in mind when making your choice. You will find Aylin beautiful, but Eileen Don't like it at all? In the LILLYDOO Name Finder, you will find first names in various spellings.

5. WELCHE BEDEUTUNG HAT MEIN WUNSCHVORNAME?

If you want to wish your child well with their name right from the start, you can, for example, Felix or Felicitas name. These names originate from Latin and mean "favored by luck" or "the lucky one." Almost every name can be assigned a specific meaning. If you're interested, you can find out more in LILLYDOO – Baby Names Display detailed information for each first name. Maybe the meaning will help you decide for or against a particular name?

6. WELCHE ASSOZIATIONEN RUFT DER NAME HERVOR?

You probably know from your own experience that you associate certain stereotypes with some first names. So are Paul , Charlotte and Maximilian according to the stereotype of names belonging to educated families. In a negative sense, names such as in recent years have been associated with Kevin , Mandy and Jacqueline A new term even emerged: Kevinism or rather Chantalism describes the phenomenon that such names are more often associated with parents from less educated backgrounds. Of course, that shouldn't stop you from naming your child that. However, you should be aware that they may encounter such stereotypes.

7. WELCHE SPITZNAMEN KANN MAN AUS DEM VORNAMEN MACHEN?

Almost everyone Benjamin will sooner or later become Benny and hardly any Franziska not liked by your friends Franzi mentioned. If you don't like such abbreviations, consider what common nicknames the first name of your choice might bring with it. Because even if you personally prefer only the full form: you unfortunately cannot prevent friends and acquaintances from calling your child that. Tip: For short first names like Paul and Anna the probability is lower that a derivative will become established as a nickname.

8. PASST DER VORNAME ZU DEN NAMEN DER GESCHWISTER?

Some parents deliberately choose first names for their children that begin with the same initial letter ( Sarah and Sebastian ). Or show with Ida , Kalle and Michel their preference for Astrid Lindgren stories. Whether such a naming of siblings appeals is, of course, a matter of taste. Nevertheless, it's worth taking a look at the two first names together. Which parent would want to constantly choose between Maren and Karen get confused?

9. ENTSPRICHT DER NAME DEN RECHTLICHEN VORSCHRIFTEN?

In Germany, certain restrictions apply to the choice of first name according to § 12 of the Federal Civil Code:

• The name must be clearly recognizable as a first name and have a certain tradition as a first name. So you wouldn't be allowed to give your child Phone or Sunflower name. Also fantasy names like Peppermint (Sad news for all Pippi Longstocking fans) are not allowed. That a name has been approved as a first name somewhere in the world is not enough.

• The child must not be insulted or made a laughingstock by their first name. Your child Troublemaker cannot be named, then. ;)

• The number of possible first names is limited to five.

• Official abbreviations ( Magda instead Magdalena ) are allowed, but pet and nickname are not ( Lenchen ).

• The first name must not disturb the religious feelings of other people. Satan or Gott therefore not an option. Also biblical names with negative connotations ( Judas and Kain ) are not allowed.

• Noble titles, brand names, and place names are generally not allowed as first names. However, there are borderline cases: Fanta and Brooklyn have already been approved, for example.

In case of doubt, the decision lies with the competent registry office.

10. WIE WIRD DER VORNAME IN ANDEREN LÄNDERN AUSGESPROCHEN UND WAS BEDEUTET ER DORT?

If your family does not live abroad, this aspect may be less relevant in the first few years. But at the latest, when student exchanges or semesters abroad are on the agenda, some first names can cause difficulties or surprise. For example, the female first name Mona in Spanish "Äffin" and Anne are called all moms by their children in Turkish. So if you have a little one Cosmopolitan expect, feel free to inform yourself about the meanings in other languages and choose a first name that is easy to pronounce internationally.

No matter which name you choose, the most important thing is that you and your partner are happy with it. So don't let too many opinions and advice unsettle you – there will always be someone who objects to your desired name. ;) You can find even more inspiration for choosing a name in our magazine article "". And now, we wish you lots of fun during your search!