Baby Name Generator
Generate baby name ideas with smart filters for gender, origin, style, starting letter, and length.
Baby Name Generator
Generate a shortlist by gender, origin, style, starting letter, and length.
About Baby Name Generator
Baby Name Generator: Filter by Gender, Origin, Style, Letter & Length
Picking a name is fun right up until it becomes a spreadsheet. This baby name generator gives you a clean shortlist fast—filtered by gender, origin, style, starting letter, and target length—so you can stop doom-scrolling lists and start reacting to names that actually fit.
You probably don’t need “infinite names.” You need 10–20 solid options that match your vibe and don’t clash with your last name. And you need a way to iterate: start broad, narrow it down, copy a few contenders, then share them with your partner or family without sending 37 screenshots. This tool is built around that real workflow: tweak the settings, hit Generate, then Copy or Download your shortlist in one click.
And yes, it’s practical. You can generate anywhere from 5 to 50 names at a time, optionally lock a starting letter (a single character), and even set a target length (up to 16) with a simple rule: set it to 0 if you don’t want the length filter. It feels like a name “control panel” rather than a randomizer, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to make a decision you’ll live with for years.
How Baby Name Generator Works
The interface is split into two parts: Settings on the left and Result on the right. You choose your filters, click Generate, and the tool outputs a grid of names plus a “Raw Output” block with one name per line for quick copy/paste.
- Step 1: Choose Gender: Mixed, Boy, Girl, or Unisex.
- Step 2: Choose Origin: Mixed, English, Scandinavian, Slavic, Latin, Greek, or Arabic.
- Step 3: Choose a Style: Modern, Classic, Unique, Nature, Mythology, or Short & Sweet.
- Step 4: Optionally set Starts with (a single letter). Leave it blank to skip this filter.
- Step 5: Set Target length. Use 0 to disable length filtering.
- Step 6: Pick How many names you want (from 5 to 50).
- Step 7: Decide whether to keep Variations On or Off. When On, the generator can fill gaps with readable variations if your filters are too strict.
- Step 8: Click Generate. Then use Copy, copy individual names, or hit Download to save a text file.
If you ever paint yourself into a corner (it happens), you can hit Reset in the Settings panel. A simple move, but it’s surprisingly helpful when you’ve tried five combinations and you can’t remember what worked.
Key Features
Filter by gender and keep it flexible
The first thing people disagree on is usually gendered naming. Some families want classic “boy” or “girl” lists. Others want unisex options because they like the sound, or because they’re not sharing the gender yet. This baby name generator handles that without making it a big philosophical debate: pick Boy, Girl, Unisex, or Mixed and move on.
And when you choose Mixed, it doesn’t just mash everything together blindly. It pulls from multiple gender pools so the results feel varied rather than repetitive. That’s useful early on, when you’re trying to figure out what you even like.
Origin and style filters that actually change the vibe
Origin and style are where shortlists get interesting. “English + Classic” feels different from “Greek + Mythology,” and “Slavic + Modern” will give you a different rhythm than “Latin + Short & Sweet.” You don’t need to memorize categories—you just select them and see the tone shift in the results.
In practical terms, the tool supports origins like English, Scandinavian, Slavic, Latin, Greek, and Arabic. Then it layers style choices—Modern, Classic, Unique, Nature, Mythology, Short & Sweet—so you can go from safe to bold in a couple clicks. Or do the opposite: start bold, then dial it back when you realize you still want something easy to spell.
Starts-with and target length: tiny filters, big impact
These two settings look small, but they’re the “last-mile” helpers. The Starts with field accepts a single letter, which is perfect if you’re honoring a family tradition (like “all first names start with A”) or you just love a specific initial. The Target length setting lets you aim for compact names (like 4–6 letters) or longer names, and you can disable it by setting it to 0.
And because strict filters can sometimes reduce the pool too much, there’s a Variations toggle. When it’s On, the generator can create readable variations to keep the results usable instead of leaving you with a tiny list. But if you want “only from the core library,” flip it Off and keep it pure.
Copy, copy one, or download your shortlist
The results panel is designed for real decision-making. You get a grid of names, and each name has its own little Copy button. So you can copy just the two names you like and paste them into a note. Or you can hit Copy at the top to grab the full list from the “Raw Output” section.
And if you want to share the shortlist with someone who doesn’t want a wall of text messages, hit Download. It saves a simple .txt file with one name per line—perfect for emailing, printing, or dropping into a shared doc.
Use Cases
This isn’t just for “pick a name, done.” Most people go through phases: brainstorming, narrowing, testing with the last name, checking initials, and getting opinions. The generator fits each phase without forcing a single rigid process.
- First-time parents: Start broad with Mixed + Modern, then narrow by origin or letter once you discover patterns you like.
- Parents honoring family tradition: Lock the Starts with letter and generate options that still feel contemporary.
- Multicultural families: Explore origins intentionally (e.g., Greek or Arabic) and see what resonates across languages.
- “We want something short” people: Use Short & Sweet style and a target length like 4–6 to keep names snappy.
- Writers and game devs: Generate character names with a consistent vibe (Mythology, Nature, Unique) and download a batch.
- Partners with different tastes: Use the settings to run “your list” and “their list,” then compare overlaps instead of arguing in circles.
- Anyone stuck in analysis paralysis: Limit the count to 10–15 names so the shortlist stays manageable.
- People testing initials: Generate names that start with a specific letter, then check how initials look with your surname.
Example 1: You and your partner agree on one thing: you want a name that starts with “A,” and you’d like it to be around six letters. You set Starts with to A, Target length to 6, choose Mixed + Modern, and generate 15 names. Then each of you hits “copy one” on your favorites and you compare a short list without debating every single suggestion.
Example 2: You’re trying to avoid trendy names that explode in popularity overnight, but you still want something that feels current. You run Classic + English, then Classic + Latin, and download both lists. Now you can sit with them for a day and see which names still feel right the next morning (that’s a real test, by the way).
When to Use Baby Name Generator vs. Alternatives
There are plenty of baby name lists online, and they’re fine for inspiration. The problem is that lists don’t adapt to you. This tool does. If you want quick filtering and easy exporting, the generator wins. If you want deep meaning research for a single name, you’ll still do some reading afterward.
| Scenario | Baby Name Generator | Manual approach |
|---|---|---|
| You want a shortlist that matches a vibe (style + origin) | Pick style and origin, generate 15–50 names instantly | Open multiple lists and try to “mentally filter” them |
| You need names starting with a specific letter | Use Starts with (single letter) and regenerate quickly | Scroll and search through long pages, often missing options |
| You want short names (or a specific length range) | Set Target length (or 0 to disable) and iterate | Count letters manually or guess based on appearance |
| You want to share a clean list | Copy all from Raw Output or Download a .txt file | Screenshot or paste messy notes with inconsistent formatting |
| Your filters are too strict but you still want results | Turn Variations On to fill gaps with readable options | Relax your rules manually and start the search over |
| You’re researching one final name deeply | Great for generating candidates, not a full etymology database | Better to research meaning, history, and cultural context by hand |
So the best workflow is: use the baby name generator to produce candidates, then do your deeper “finalists” research on a smaller list. That’s where you’ll actually enjoy the process instead of getting buried by options.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Start broad, then lock one filter at a time
If you begin with too many rules, you’ll get a narrow list that may feel repetitive. Instead, start with Mixed + Modern and an average count like 15. Then change one thing at a time—origin first, then style, then starting letter, then length. That way you learn what each filter is actually doing.
Use “Variations” strategically (not automatically)
Variations are helpful when your constraints are tight—like “Starts with Z” plus a short target length. With Variations On, the generator can keep your shortlist filled with readable options rather than giving up. But if you’re trying to keep the results strictly within the core library, turn it Off and adjust your filters instead.
Generate fewer names to reduce decision fatigue
More names can feel productive, but it can also make every name blur together. If you’re already deep in the process, set How many to 10 or 15. You’ll spend more time reacting to each name, and you’ll notice patterns faster.
Test names in real-life sentences
Once you have a shortlist, read each name as if you’re calling your child from another room, introducing them to a teacher, or writing it on a birthday card. It sounds silly, but it reveals tongue-twisters and awkward combinations with your last name fast. And if a name only works “on paper,” you’ll notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with broad settings: Gender = Mixed, Origin = Mixed, Style = Modern, and set How many to 15. Click Generate and scan the results for patterns you like. Then change one setting at a time—switch the origin, try Classic or Nature, or add a starting letter if you have one in mind. This step-by-step approach keeps it fun and avoids over-filtering too early.
Yes. Use the Starts with field to enter a single letter (it’s designed for one character). This is perfect for family traditions, matching sibling initials, or just chasing a sound you love. If you leave it blank, the generator won’t filter by letter at all.
Target length is a simple way to aim for shorter or longer names. Set a number (up to 16) if you care about name length, or set it to 0 to disable the length filter completely. If you’re not sure what you want yet, turning it off is usually the best first move.
They’re “vibe filters.” Modern leans contemporary, Classic leans timeless, Unique pushes into rarer or more distinctive options, Nature pulls from natural imagery, Mythology leans legendary and myth-inspired, and Short & Sweet favors compact names that feel quick and memorable. If you’re stuck, try the same origin across two styles and see which list feels more like your family.
When Variations is On, the tool can fill gaps with readable variations if your filters are strict and the core pool runs short. This helps you consistently get the number of names you requested. If you prefer only the built-in library results (no generated blends/variations), turn it Off and relax your filters instead.
You have a few options. In the results grid, each name has its own Copy button for grabbing a single favorite. To copy everything, use the Copy button in the Result area (it pulls from the “Raw Output” block with one name per line). To save it, click Download to get a plain text file you can share or keep.
Why Choose Baby Name Generator?
This baby name generator is built for the way people actually choose names: you explore, you narrow, you test, and you share. The filters (gender, origin, style, starting letter, target length) let you steer the results instead of hoping the internet reads your mind. And the copy/download options make it easy to turn “ideas” into a usable shortlist.
And honestly, that’s the whole point. You don’t want to spend weeks collecting names you’ll never revisit. You want a tight list you can say out loud, write next to your last name, and sleep on. Use the tool, run a few combinations, and keep the shortlists that still feel good tomorrow.