Professional baby namers warn parents ‘avoid these six names’ for your children

Choosing a name for your new bundle of joy can be quite the task. But two baby name consultants have helped the process by sharing six throwback names that are no longer in style.

UK’s very own baby naming guru SJ Strum and Boston’s baby name specialist Colleen Slagen have created a list of baby names they’re urging expecting parents to give a miss.

Colleen warns against fading names such as Linda, Karen, and Janet, whereas SJ suggests ditching what she dubs “1990s norm-core dad names” like Gary, Stuart, and Ian.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, SJ highlighted how overwhelming pregnancy can be, noting there are lots of other choices to make. She suggested letting a pro handle choosing your kid’s handle, turning it into “one of the most joyous and bonding parts of your pregnancy”.

“Couples want a name that tells their story,” she explains. “So I ask a lot about hobbies, what they studied at university, where they met…”

SJ Strum helps couples find the perfect baby name
(Image: Instagram/sj_strum)

She revealed that people have even sent her SOS messages from the maternity ward, desperate for last-minute ideas.

SJ’s pro tip if your other half is hung up on a name you detest is to pretend it’s shared by an ex. “That normally gets them off it pretty quick,” she jokes.

Classic, timeless names such as Olivia, Emma, Charlotte, or Sofia are always a safe bet for a girl, while James, Henry, Lucas or William are also reliable options.

But there are also a few new trends in baby names to consider, SJ says: ” ‘Nature names are becoming popular: River is rising up the ranks. I’m also seeing a lot of whimsical names that hark back to virtues, such as Sage.”

The experts advise ‘trying out’ baby names before making a choice
(Image: Getty Images)

She adds that the death of a famous person can often give their name a temporary boost in popularity, referencing the rise in ‘Elizabeth’ after the Queen’s death and ‘Bowie’ after the pop legend’s death.

Once you have picked out a contender, SJ says, it’s important to road-test it before making a final choice by saying it out loud and seeing how it feels.

She continues: “Will you be asked to spell it in a coffee shop? I had a client who loved the name Persephone, but did the coffee shop test and decided it was far too much of a mouthful.”

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