Baby names
The baby names explorer is a curated, searchable database of 200+ diverse baby names from cultures around the world. Filter by gender (boy / girl / unisex), origin, and alphabet; sort by name, popularity, or origin; favourite names you like for later; or tap "Surprise me" for a random pick. The page is part of the baby module but stands alone as a reference tool — you don't need to have created a baby profile to browse names.
This is a pre-baby utility for parents-to-be and a fun browse for anyone curious about names. Nothing here is health-tracked or persisted to your account beyond your favourites list.
What's in the database
| Attribute | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Total names | 200+ |
| Genders | Boy, girl, unisex |
| Origins | Multiple — Arabic, English, French, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Persian, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, and more |
| Alphabets | English alphabet entries; future expansion planned for non-Latin scripts |
| Per-name fields | Name, gender, origin, meaning, popularity (where known) |
The list is curated by hand to be diverse and meaningful — not just the top names from one country. A bias toward names that travel well across cultures (pronounceable and meaningful in multiple languages) is intentional.
Filters
| Filter | Options |
|---|---|
| Gender | All / boy / girl / unisex |
| Origin | Multi-select across all origins in the dataset |
| Alphabet | Filter by starting letter (A–Z) |
| Search | Free-text substring match against name or meaning |
Filters combine — e.g. "girl + Arabic + starts with N" returns just the matching subset.
Sorting
| Sort | What it does |
|---|---|
| Alphabetical | A to Z (default) |
| Popularity | Names with known popularity ranking first |
| Origin | Grouped by origin |
Favourites
Tap the heart icon on any name to favourite it. Favourites are stored locally via @capacitor/preferences (which uses Capacitor Preferences on mobile and localStorage on web). They persist across sessions on the same browser/device.
Favourites are device-local, not cloud-synced. If you favourite names on your phone and later check on your laptop, the favourites list won't transfer. This is intentional — pre-baby name-browsing is often private and doesn't need cross-device sync. A future update may add cross-device favourites for partner-shared name lists.
The favourites list has its own filter tab so you can review just your shortlist.
Surprise me
Tap Surprise me for a random pick from the current filter set. Useful for browsers who want suggestions rather than scrolling. Each tap picks a fresh random name from the filtered list.
Per-name detail
Tapping any name expands a card showing:
- Name — the spelling.
- Gender — boy / girl / unisex.
- Origin — culture or language of origin.
- Meaning — the documented meaning, where available.
- Heart button — toggle favourite.
What this tool is
- A name-browsing utility for parents-to-be.
- A small, curated reference — quality and diversity over quantity.
- Device-local favouriting for shortlisting.
- Free, private, no account required to browse (you can use it signed out).
What this tool is not
- Not the largest name database — there are name sites with tens of thousands of entries. LifeWell's 200+ is curated, not exhaustive.
- Not a popularity-ranking authority. Where popularity is shown, it's a coarse signal — exact rankings vary by year and country.
- Not a numerology / astrology / name-energy tool. The page lists names with documented meanings; it does not predict character or fate.
- Not partner-shared yet. Favourites are local. For shared name lists with a partner, screenshot or text each other for now.
Curation principles
The names list was assembled with these goals:
- Diverse origins — names from many cultures, not just Western European.
- Pronounceable across languages — names that travel well.
- Real meanings, where known — etymology cited, not invented.
- Both classic and modern — established names alongside newer choices.
- Boy, girl, and unisex coverage roughly balanced.
The curation is a living set; users can suggest additions via email to aoneahsan@gmail.com.
How to use it for a real name search
A workflow that works for many couples:
- Cast a wide net. Browse with no filter for 10 minutes. Heart any name that catches your attention. Don't think too hard.
- Filter to your favourites. Move to the favourites tab and review the list.
- Refine. Discuss with a partner. Strike names that don't fit. Search for similar-sounding names in the same origin.
- Test the long-list out loud. Say each remaining name out loud with the surname. Some names work on paper but not in conversation.
- Sleep on it. Decisions made over weeks beat decisions made in one session.
- Confirm legal naming rules in your jurisdiction. Some countries restrict allowable names; check before printing the birth certificate.
Frequently asked
Can I add my own names to the database? Not directly. You can favourite any name in the curated set. To request additions to the global database, email aoneahsan@gmail.com with the name, origin, and meaning.
Are the meanings sourced? The meanings come from standard etymology references for each name's origin. Different sources sometimes give slightly different meanings for the same name — the LifeWell entry picks one widely-cited interpretation.
Why can't I share my favourites with my partner? Cross-device sync requires either both of you signing in to a single account or implementing partner-sharing for the favourites list (planned). For now, screenshots are the workaround.
Does popularity reflect my country? Popularity is a coarse signal across multiple regions. Specific-country rankings (e.g. SSA top names in the US, ONS top names in the UK) are not embedded — the published official lists update annually and stand on their own.
Can I use this tool signed out? Yes — the explorer works anonymously. Favourites still store device-locally without an account. Signed-in users get the same experience; nothing is synced to the cloud here.
Where to read next
- Baby overview — once you've picked a name, create a baby profile.
- Milestones — the "first" category includes the moment the name was officially registered.
- About the developer — to suggest additions to the database.
Last updated: 2026-05-11 Author: Ahsan Mahmood