11 best baby name books to help make your decision (a little bit) easier
If you're newly pregnant or soon to pop, congratulations! From finding maternity clothes (and by clothes we mean stretchy leggings) to fit a growing bump to nesting ahead of your new arrival, it's an exciting time. Next up is choosing a name for your new little one, or ones, it might be triplets, you never know. Finding one you like isn't always a simple decision. Names are deeply personal and can link to culture, race, family history etc. So, if you're struggling to find one you like, a baby name book can be hugely helpful.
Full of suggestions, ideas and meanings behind names, picking up a baby name book is not just a fun keepsake moment to remember your pregnancy but also means you get a break from scrolling through your phone, something we're all guilty of doing too much.
To help narrow down your search for the best book to buy, we've curated an edit of the very best, all of which you can find on Amazon. And if you're an Amazon Prime member, you'll get free same day or next day delivery on your purchases, so if you're not already subscribed, there's no better time than now. Amazon is also home to thousands of baby supplies, from nappies to high chairs, so it's a one-stop-shop for new parents that will always come in handy.
What is the number one baby name?
According to research by Nameberry, Luna, Ophelia, Elodie, Iris and Maeve, in that order, are the most popular girls names of 2021 and for boys, Arlo takes the top spot, followed by Oscar, Hugo, Albie and Atticus.
How do you pick a baby name book?
There's no shortage to choose from when it comes to picking a baby name book, so keep in mind if you're keen to find a gender-neutral name or one of cultural significance. There's books that have been around years if you wanted to find a name that's more traditional, but also every year, new books are published to adapt to modern times and changing popularity of names.
If you want endless options, try reading Best Baby Names 2021 by Siobhan Thomas which has over 9,000 different names to find inspiration from, or give Inspired Baby Names from Around the World by Neala Shane a go, which expands on the spiritual, historical, and cultural background behind a name. We also love 100,000 + Baby Names by Bruce Lansky, which also comes with advice on choosing a name, trends, and interesting facts alongside a lengthy list.
For more from Glamour UK Freelance Commerce Writer Louise Whitbread, follow her on Instagram @louisewhitbread.
Looking for more pregnancy content? Head this way for the best maternity leggings to wear during every trimester (and beyond) without compromising on style, over here for the best gifts to treat new mums and mums-to-be and this way for the best maternity clothes that prove you don't have to sacrifice your style for your bump.
Keep scrolling for our favourite baby name books to shop on Amazon...
Best Baby Names 2021 by Siobhan Thomas
Best Baby Names 2021, £6.55, Amazon
With 9,000 options to browse through, you're spoilt for choice with this up to date book on baby names, whether you want something classic or modern. It's also full of tips and advice on agreeing on a name with your partner if you're struggling to decide on one you both love.
Baby Names Book: The Perfect Baby Names, with Tens of Thousands of Names for Boys and Girls by Emily Johnson
Have a helping hand with the huge decision with this book that offers inspiration ideas, advice on traditional names that won't date and the meaning and origins of names you may already have in mind.
100,000 + Baby Names by Bruce Lanksy
100,000 + Baby Names, £9.27, Amazon
Yes, you read that right, 100,000 names. Possibly the largest number you'll find, so you're guaranteed to find one you love in this book.
Inspired Baby Names from Around the World: 6,000 International Names and the Meaning Behind Them by Neala Shane
Shedding light on the spiritual, historical, and cultural background of names from different religions, inspirational individuals or poets, if you're looking to connect to your ancestry and find a name with a heartfelt meaning, this is the book for you.
Baby Names by Amelia King
This is an exhaustive list of name suggestions, traditional, modern and everything in between, that's essential for indecisive parents-to-be.
Best Baby Names for Girls, The: The Ultimate Resource for Finding the Perfect Girl Name by Emily Larson
For expecting parents of a baby girl, this book will come in particularly handy if you already know the gender, but would also make a great gift for a couple.
An A-Z of Baby Names by Patrick Hanks
An A-Z of Baby Names, £5.17, Amazon
Not only does this book contain 2,500 commonly used names in the English language, but it also offers advice on how to create your own name for something truly unique as well as popular names found in pop culture and literature.
Baby Names Book: Getting Started on Choosing the Perfect Baby Names and Meanings by Rachel Carrington
Baby Names Book: Getting Started on Choosing the Perfect Baby Names and Meanings, £5.99, Amazon
No idea where to start looking for your perfect baby name? Pick up a copy of this, which is full of practical tips, advice and information on the meaning behind a name and how to find the right one for you.
The Penguin Book of Baby Names by David Pickering
The Penguin Book of Baby Names, £6.77, Amazon
This is an easy A-Z guide that'll provide oodles of inspiration to help you pick a name for your baby. There's over 5,000 for boys and girls as well as the most popular celebrity baby names and the top ten names throughout history.
Best Baby Names for Boys, The: The Ultimate Resource for Finding the Perfect Boy Name by Emily Larson
Best Baby Names for Boys, The: The Ultimate Resource for Finding the Perfect Boy Name, £7.89, Amazon
If you already know you're having a boy, that will help your search. If you need some inspiration and guidance, this book will help you find the perfect fit for your family.
The Name Book: Over 10,000 Names-Their Meanings, Origins, And Spiritual Significance by Dorothy Astoria
The Name Book: Over 10,000 Names-Their Meanings, Origins, And Spiritual Significance, £7.89, Amazon
With 12,000 names to get through, this is the perfect companion for those last few weeks of pregnancy. Spanning classic, contemporary, and biblical ideas, there's an ample amount of ideas.
