Choosing one name is hard enough, but choosing two, three or more can be very overwhelming. And that’s just the first names.
Add to this, if you don’t know the genders of the babies…………..well you need to double this number again!
With literally thousand upon thousands of names out there, and “baby name books” that can be several inches thick, choosing names for twins or triplets may take a while.
Please be aware that there are some names that can not be used. Check your local Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act.
In Victoria, for example, Section 4(1) of the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996 defines a prohibited name to mean a name that:
- Is obscene or offensive
- Can’t be established by repute or usage
- Is contrary to the public interest.
Choosing names for twins, triplets and more
The first decision you (and your partner, if you have one) need to make is if you want to theme the names for your multiples.
- Rhyming
- Themes – i.e. flower names, biblical names
- Same initials
- Special connection -i.e. family names, location names
- Alphabetical
- Matching – i.e. both being anagrams or palindromes
- Same number of letters
- Ability to have a nickname
- Reverse spelling (only works for twins)
Or do you want them to be totally and utterly different? This is perfectly fine too.
Regardless of your decision about this, the main thing to consider is do they go well together, and do they complement each other? Remember, you will probably be calling them out at the same time for quite a few years!
Things to look out for when naming twins, triplets and more
- Are they easy to confuse with each other?
- Does the name sound good on its own, as well as with the other names?
Don’t forget to check what the possible nicknames could be. And then run though the above points with those as well. For example, Samuel and Janet sound totally different, but Sam and Jan could easily be confused if you are calling out to them from another room.
Themed names for twins, triplets and more
Let’s look more closely at some possible themed names for twins, triplets or more.
Themes
It can be quite common to name twins and triplets using the same theme.
Floral
- Dahlia & Daisy
- Heather & Jasmine & Camellia
Biblical
- Moses & Noah
- Naomi & Ruth
- Samson & Rebecca
Classic
- Alexander &Catherine (Alex and Cath)
- Charles & David
- Michael & Margaret & William
Precious Stones
Amber, Ebony & Jade
Rhyming names for twins or triplets
Some families may like to choose rhyming names for their multiples. Rhyming names can sound pleasant to the ear. Some examples include:
- Addison & Maddison
- Amanda & Miranda
- Aidan & Jayden
- Aaron & Karen
- Bailey, Hayley & Kaylie
- Chloe, Joey & Zoe
- Paul & Saul
Special connection -i.e. family names, location names
Some families may have a special family names that they want to honour, or use the name of a certain location that is special to them.
Alphabetical
Some families choose to name their babies in alphabetical order.
Anagrams
One way of choosing themed multiple birth names is to use an anagram. An anagram name is when you re-arrange the letters in a name to spell another name.
For example:
- Reva & Vera
- Arlo & Orla
- Mary & Myra
- Liam & Mila
- Elin, Neil & Leni
- Evan, Neva & Vena
- Adian, Diana & Nadia
Palindromes
A palindrome name is one that can be spelt in reverse. You wish to choose names that signify their multiple birth status by choosing all palindrome names for twins, triplets or more.
- Ava
- Pip
- Bob
- Otto
- Emme
- Lil
- Anna
- Viv
If you want to be more subtle about it, you could choose names that have palindrome names as nicknames. For example, Robert and Vivian (Bob & Viv).
Same initials
Do you want your babies to have the same initials? If so, the possibilities are endless.
Same number of letters
For some people its important to have the same number of letters in each name. If there is one particular name that you like, then there are loads of baby books and websites where you can search for baby names with five letters etc.
Reverse spelling (Note: this only works for twins and not triplets)
You may choose to honour the twin bond by using names that spell the other name, in reverse.
- Aiden & Nadia
- Heaven & Nevaeh
- Issac & Cassi
- Noel & Leon
Or if you don’t want to be too obvious, look at different names whose nicknames are reversed, such as Gemma and Megan. These can be reduced to Gem and Meg, which become anagram names. Or Cameron and Mackenzie, which shorten to Cam and Mac.
Choosing middle names for twins, triplets or more!
Now you have chosen your first names, you need to think about their second names!
As you can see there are so many ways you can subtly, or not so subtly, match your multiples names. Sometimes its easy to forget that your names don’t HAVE to match or be themed. You do have the option of choosing names that have no connection at all. And choosing them purely because you like them!
Our final tip when naming twins, triplets and more
Take your time. There is no need to rush into it. There is no need to commit to the first name you think of. Some people like to wait until their babies arrive before choosing a name. Particularly if they don’t know the genders. Most states in Australia allow you up to 60 days to register your babies. Refer to the Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages in your state for more information.
You then need to decide which baby gets which name! And that is a whole other blog!
Read our blog on nicknames for twins and triplets HERE.
How did you go about choosing names for twins or triplets?