Well, there is of course no easy answer to one of the most exacting - and exciting! - baby name challenges.
It's more than choosing a name for each child.
You need to think about whether or not you're going to connect the names in any way.
And however you go about it, bear in mind that the two names you choose will share a connection in the minds of the people who know your children.
Twin name options:
Whether you're expecting two knights of the realm, two pretty princesses - or one of each - you'll eventually have to decide whether you are going to choose...
names for twins that do have a connection and...
names that don't!
...and don't forget to think about...
twin name no-nos
and what might happen no matter what names you choose!
Faith and Hope or Jacob and Joshua?
A popular choice - connected names.
How do the names above sound? Would you consider them for your own twins? In 2007, there were 69 sets of twins called Jacob and Joshua born in the United States, topping the twins' baby name rankings. There were 38 Ella and Emmas, the most popular twin names for girls.
These are names that clearly connect; let's take a look at some examples using some popular twin name combinations, as well as my own suggestions.
Names for twins with the same initial letter This is the most common connection, and gives you the most flexibility too, no matter what gender the twins are. Both written and spoken forms declare "Hey! We're together!"
Examples from popular twins' names:
Matthew and Michael
Alexander and Anthony
Megan and Madison
Hailey and Hannah
Same initial letter plus similar sounding name These names can cause confusion, particularly if you have identical twins, or fraternal twins who look identical...! It can be hard enough for some to remember which twin owns which name even if they look completely different; add two very similar names into the mix - and it gets even harder.
All these combos can be found in the popular baby name lists:
Taylor and Tyler
Isaac and Isaiah
Ethan and Evan
Christopher and Christian
Jayden and Jaylen
Ella and Emma
Kayla and Kyla
Megan and Morgan
Mia and Mya
These names can sometimes give the message "Hey! We're the same person!" And yet - this seems to be a popular and, for some, unproblematic way to name twins.
If you have your heart set on a combo like this, it might be worth finding two names that can have two different short forms; in the list above, however, the names don't give much room for maneuver, and Christopher and Christian may well both end up as Chris.
Similar meaning or origin Names for twins often take inspiration from similar themes. Faith and Hope are two of the seven virtues and are often used in combination. Either of these names along with Grace would provide names with similar qualities.
For girl/boy twins this can work rather well. Michael and Mikayla is an obvious example, but you could leave behind pairs of names with the same first letter and choose quite different names but with the same meaning - such as Hannah (which means grace) and Grace herself, or Alban (for a boy) and Fiona - both names refer to the color "white."
Biblical names are very popular for twins' names, particularly boys' names; Jacob, Joshua, Daniel, David, Isaac, Isiah, Elijah, Zachary... girl's names do figure there with Hannah and Abigail, for example, but there are not nearly so many.
Anagram names for twins Anagram names such as Leon and Noel (letters reversed) or Amy and May come to mind - but you won't find many combinations like this!
Nora and Oran
Alex and Lexa
Debra and Breda...
... not always the most inspiring of duos!
In fact, it can be almost impossible to find two names that you like using this method. Unless, of course, you are prepared to invent one of the names - or indeed both! Such as Avalon and Lavona... for example.
Family names Naming each twin after someone else in your family can be a great idea - honoring grandparents or favorite uncles and aunts. This way, there is a less obvious connection - one that is personal to your own immediate circle.
Names with no connection - apart from the twins!
There may be no connection in the sound, spelling, origin or meaning of the name, but don't forget that all the best names for twins should sound good in combination.
For example, these might not be the best dancing partners:
Bert and Zachariah
Jessamine and Fran
Gabriella and OJ
For boys, you will sometimes find that two, traditional or not-out-of-the-ordinary boys' names just fit together nicely: John and William, or Matthew and Connor.
Girls' names for twins?
Brianna and Fairlee
Malinda and Kristin
Rowan and Mayla
Amina and Rachelle
Definite no-nos..?
Be careful! You might want to think twice about coming up with the following combinations. Some of them are in use; some of them I like; and others - well, use your common sense!
Raine and Storm
Bonnie and Clyde
Luke and Leah (I love this one!)
Billie and Jean
Reagan and Kennedy
Mona and Lisa
Chip 'n Dale
Barbara and Kenneth (clue: dolls)
London and Adelaide
Harry and Hermione
Remember that these names will often be used together not only later at school, but earlier on when you are out and about shopping or going for a walk. Check out double strollers and twin strollers from Stroller Advisor.
Names for twins sometimes choose themselves...
Of course, after all your careful planning and selection, do remember that some twins decide themselves on each other's names... often when they are still toddling about!
Some twins even call each other by the same name - which makes quite good sense when you think about it!
Twins also tend to attract nicknames. I wonder if this comes as a result of people just not being able to remember which twin owns which name; so they make it up themselves. Typical!
Don't forget that you'll have another two names to decide on once you've considered first names. Oh yes, the work has only just started! Check out some middle names for twins from my middle names page.
