How to Name Twins

If you're thinking that naming twins will be twice the headache, think again! Naming twins is twice the fun. There are plenty of resources to help as you venture forth on your naming journey, thanks to our society's long standing obsession with the meaning of a name. Have fun, but choose wisely. Children's names affect them for the rest of their lives. Here are some dos and don'ts when it comes to naming twins.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Consider selecting names with the same first letter but with different sounds. Names such as Joseph and Joshua or Erin and Emily give twins commonality but allow them individuality.
2. Use the reverse method or anagrams. An option for many parents is to pick names that are the reverse of one another, such as Aidan and Nadia. Similarly, twin baby names such as Lana and Alan are anagrams.
3. Find the common thread. Twin baby names can come from family heritage, classic literature or an important life event. For example, if you have two cousins you grew up with, their names might be suitable for twin babies. Or, if you had two wonderful grandmothers, it might be an honor to name twin daughters after them.
4. Strike a compromise. If you and your spouse can't decide on names for the twins, perhaps you can each name a baby. Make sure both of you can live with your choices.
5. Choose two drastically different names. This method seems to work well for the developing of twin personalities. Twins usually struggle with individuality at some point in their lives. Give them a head start with a unique name they can feel confident is theirs and only theirs. For example, Emily and Austin, Ashley and James, Melanie and Amanda.
6. Remember that twins are two individuals with two different personalities. First and foremost, twins should have names that reflect their individuality rather than names that emphasize their novelty.

Tips & Warnings

• It's a good idea to choose two names that are similar in style. Giving one child an extravagant, attention-getting name and the other a very traditional name may lead to resentment, jealousy or confusion.
• It can be a pain if one twin can shorten his or her name and the other can't. For example, Alexander and Christopher can be shortened to Alex and Chris, making it easier for everyone.
• Rhyming names may seem hilarious as you peruse the baby book, but when Tina and Dina grow older, they may not appreciate the silliness.