I’m not saying reality TV personality Spencer Pratt is a model parent, but his recent comment about choosing baby names based on social media availability caught my attention. He and his wife, fellow Hills alum Heidi Montag, reportedly eliminated any name that was already in use on social platforms.
My immediate reaction was: that feels shallow. Then I thought: maybe it’s not entirely unreasonable. High-profile families sometimes take steps to protect their children’s names—trademarking is one avenue celebrities use to prevent others from profiting off a child’s identity. Even if Montag and Pratt aren’t at that level, the concern about a child’s name being widely associated with someone else is understandable.
Many parents I talk to reject names because search results are unappealing. Sometimes a name brings up an unsavory person; other times a name simply feels overused. Social media handles are another face of that same problem. As more families look for names that stand out, the pressure to avoid duplicates increases.
Of course, there’s another perspective. A father once told me his approach was practical: give a child a solid, conventional name so she can always choose a stage name later if she becomes a performer. That’s a sensible point. Social platforms change and evolve—Facebook launched in 2004, Instagram in 2010—and who knows which services will matter in twenty years. A handle that’s available today might be irrelevant tomorrow, and vice versa.
If you manage to secure a perfect handle for your newborn, there’s likely no harm in doing so. But keep in mind that children often reinvent themselves. They might prefer their middle name, adopt a nickname, or choose a professional alias tied to their career. The name that follows an @ sign at birth may not be the one that defines them later.
Elsewhere online, I’ve seen a number of interesting naming trends and discussions worth noting:
- There’s a renewed interest in old-fashioned names—Agnes, Floyd, Maude—and many parents are embracing this vintage revival.
- People remain curious about what celebrities will name new babies; that fascination with famous families’ name choices shows how pop culture shapes naming conversations.
- Some languages offer beautiful names that don’t translate directly into English but carry charming meanings, like names that evoke flowers or nature. Botanical and floral names continue to be popular choices.
- The question of whether twins should share the same initial provokes varied opinions. It can work well and feel cohesive, but I wouldn’t recommend forcing the match purely for symmetry.
- There are families who successfully name all their children with the same initial—Simon, Sophie, Sadie, and Sebastian are an example of how it can feel intentional and harmonious.
- Multiples—twins, triplets, quadruplets—present their own naming challenges and delights. Parents of multiples often look for names that balance individuality and cohesion across siblings.
- If your naming taste changes after your first child’s unusual choice, many strategies can help harmonize later siblings’ names without erasing that first child’s identity. Middle names, nicknames, or complementary styles can bridge differences.
- New blended or “smoosh” names appear regularly, sometimes inspired by fiction or geography. These creative combinations provoke strong reactions but also expand the palette of possible names.
- Rare name round-ups and birth announcement lists are fun resources for spotting trends and discovering unusual names in the wild.
- Good middle-name advice is always valuable—middles can link siblings, honor family, or offer flexibility for a child later in life.
- Classic names can surge in popularity again; when one traditional name becomes visible across announcements, it often hints at broader shifts in taste.
That’s my round-up for the week. Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a great week ahead!