How to choose a baby name together when you can't agree
Short answer: pick names separately, compare only the overlap, then narrow the overlap two names at a time. It turns a debate into a shared list.
1. Swipe on your own first
When one partner "likes everything" and the other "likes nothing", talking through a long list stalls. Each of you likes or passes names on your own, without seeing the other's choices.
2. Look at the names you both liked
The overlap is your real shortlist. Names only one of you liked are a second list worth a calm conversation, not a fight.
3. Set filters together
- Boy, girl or unisex.
- Popularity: "not too common, not too unusual" usually means top 500 rather than top 100.
4. Say it with your last name
Read each finalist out loud with your surname and check the initials.
5. Run a final round
Compare two finalists at a time and keep the one you'd rather keep. Repeat until one name is left.
Doing it with Namepair
Namepair does each step: separate swiping, a short code to match without accounts, both-liked and one-liked lists, a surname preview and a final round.
FAQ
How many names should we each look at?
A few dozen a day is plenty. Short daily sessions keep it fun and avoid fatigue.
What if we have zero matches?
Widen the filters (popularity or gender), then look at the names only one of you liked and talk about those.
Should we share our lists while swiping?
No. Swiping separately first avoids influencing each other, so the matches are honest.