When choosing a name for a baby or character, consider combining two significant names in a new possibility. This can be accomplished by mixing the letters of the two original names, combining different syllables from each of the two original names, or hyphening the two names into one.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Mix the Letters
Step 1. Write the letters of both names
Make a list of all the letters found in the first name, then make a separate list of all the letters found in the second. Place the lists next to each other, but keep them separate and separate from each other.
- This method is a good way to mix the names of two parents when choosing a baby name, but you can technically use it with any two names. You can even use it when you have more than two names to mix.
- You can write the letters in the order they appear in each name, or you can rearrange the letters alphabetically. The latter can help you see the letters as separate letters instead of a name.
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Example: consider the names "William" and "Sarah."
- The first name uses the letters "a, i, i, l, l, m, w".
- The last name uses the letters "a, a, h, r, s".
Step 2. Take letters from both groups to make names
Treat the two lists of names like a puzzle to decipher or a Boggle game. Take letters from both lists to create a name. Keep going until you have made as many different names as possible.
- You don't need to use all the letters in both names. In fact, you can create many more combinations if you only use a few letters.
- It can be helpful to have a baby name book nearby while you do this exercise. There are many names that you might not think of when doing it on your own.
- Example: by using the letters "William" and "Sarah" you can form Alisa, Iris, Isaiah, Larisa, Lars, Lisa, Liam, Maria, Mariah, Miriam, Wallis and Wilma.
Step 3. Go back to the lists several times
You may not discover all the possible names the first time you go through the two lists. It's a good idea to go back to the lists many times to see if you can find any other new names hidden within.
- Also consider asking other people for help. Maybe someone else can discover a combination that you haven't noticed yet.
- If you have trouble forming names from your lists, you can also search online for "free name mixers." When you find a result you like, enter both names into the mixer and let the website generate a list of possible names from the original two.
- Example: after a long review, you can also use "William" and "Sarah" to form Silas, Shaw, Rai, Mars, Lia and Ash.
Method 2 of 3: Regroup Syllables
Step 1. Break both names down into syllables
Decompose the first name you want to use into independent syllables. Repeat this procedure with the second name you want to use. Write the group of syllables side by side, but make sure you know which groups of syllables come from each name.
- This is another method commonly used to form baby names from the names of both parents, but it can be used with any two names. However, it works best with names that have two or more long syllables.
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Example: consider the names "Christopher" and "Elizabeth."
- "Christopher" can be divided into the syllables "Chris", "to" and "pher".
- "Elizabeth" can be divided into "e", "liz", "a" and "beth".
Step 2. Combine groups of different syllables
Take a group of syllables from the first name and another from the middle name. Put both groups together to form a unique and new name. Repeat this process with the remaining syllable groups until you have made all the combinations you can think of.
- Keep in mind that the names that come up using this method will be unique and most of them will probably not be found in any baby book.
- You can form combinations by using a group of syllables from both names, by creating a new name that is two syllables long, or you can use multiple groups of syllables from both names to create a longer combination.
- Example: When using the syllables found in "Christopher" and "Elizabeth," some of the possible combinations that might arise may include the following: Chrisabeth, Christobeth, Eliztopher, Liztopher, Elizapher, Lizapher, Bethtopher, Bethapher, Eto, and Toapher.
Step 3. Review the list
Some of the possible names that come up may be better than others. Go through your list and eliminate all the combinations that don't sound right and keep the best options for later examination.
- Although most of the names that are likely to come up will not be found in any baby books, it may still be a good idea to double-check and be sure. If any of the names you create already exist, maybe they have a meaning that you like or don't like.
- Repeat the name out loud several times to see how it is pronounced. Names that sound clumsy or difficult to pronounce should be excluded, as should any possible names that you just don't like.
- Consider showing your list of possible names to other people, too. Ask them to speak each name on the list. If other people regularly struggle to pronounce a name, you may want to consider excluding it.
- Example: if people have a hard time pronouncing the name “Toapher”, for example, it is advisable that you cross it off your list.
Method 3 of 3: Join Independent Names with a Hyphen
Step 1. Find two names that you like
You can use any two names, but short names usually work best with this method.
- This method is often used with names different from the given names of both parents.
- Use this method once you narrow down your selection to two names. If you try to use more than two names, the result will usually seem unreasonably long and clumsy.
- Also, this method works best when you limit it to names of one gender. It is not that easy to use when you combine names of both genders.
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Example: if the child will be a girl, the baby's father may like "Sarah" and the mother "Elizabeth."
If the child will be a boy, the father may like "Samuel" and the mother "Luke."
Step 2. Separate the two names with a hyphen
Put both names next to each other and then separate them with a hyphen. Doing so should give you a new, mixed name.
- Combine the names in both orders to find out which one sounds better.
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Example: for "Sarah" and "Elizabeth", the two options would be "Sarah-Elizabeth" and "Elizabeth-Sarah".
For "Samuel" and "Luke", the two options would be "Samuel-Luke" and "Luke-Samuel."
Step 3. Consider abbreviating one or both names
If one or both names seem too long, consider using the short form of the name instead of the full name. After abbreviating them, hyphenate them again in the same way as before.
- You can combine a shortened version of one name with the full version of the second, or you can shorten both names (where appropriate) and use both shortened versions instead.
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Example: for “Sarah” and “Elizabeth”, the name “Elizabeth” can be abbreviated to “Beth”, which gives you the new option of “Sarah-beth”. In this case, you can even remove the dash and the “h” after “Sarah”, which leaves you with “Sarabeth”.
For “Samuel” and “Luke”, the name “Samuel” can be shortened to “Sam”, which leaves you the options “Sam-Luke” and “Luke-Sam”