Congratulations if you’re expecting your third child! By now parenting should be as easy as one-two-three but are you battling to find a great name for your third baby? Believe me, finding names for a third requires some out-of-the-box thinking!
But why?
You’ve used up your favorites with your first two children and even if you consider names of family members, nothing seems ‘just right’ for your child.
Here’s my article that should help you find the perfect third child name whether it’s a girl or boy. I’ve listed popular names, classic and cute ones, even unique ones. If you fancy gender-neutral names, they’re on my list, too. I’ll also talk about how to go about picking THE name!
- Popular Girl Names
- Classic Girl Names
- Cute Girl Names
- Unique Girl Names
- Popular Boy Names
- Classic Boy Names
- Strong Boy Names
- Unique Boy Names
- Gender-Neutral Names
- How to Choose a Name for Your Third Child
- Does Your Third Child’s Name Flow With Their Siblings?
- Ask Your Children to Pick a Name for Their Sibling
- Final Thoughts
Popular Girl Names
- Johanna
- Freya
- Iris
- Harriet
- Luisa
- Elle
- Lucinda
- Lucy
- Lisa
- Candace
- Josephine
- Lydia
- Caitlin
- Olivia
Classic Girl Names
- Eva
- Faith
- Evangeline
- Ingrid
- Ariella
- Jacqueline
- Hilary
- Adelaide
- Rose
- Joy
- Lily
- Jennifer
- Maureen
- Gaye
Cute Girl Names
Unique Girl Names
- Scarlett
- Luna
- Juliette
- Primrose
- Coco
- Violette
- Clover
- Maddox
- Antonia
- Secret
- Sienna
- Laycee
- Erin
- Tamara
Popular Boy Names
- Alistair
- Christopher
- Richard
- Daniel
- Donovan
- Joshua
- Elias
- Thomas
- Hugo
- Robin
- Timothy
- Oliver
- Wilson
- Louis
Classic Boy Names
- Aaron
- Adam
- Benjamin
- Douglas
- Jackson
- Lionel
- Luke
- Nathan
- Nicholas
- Oscar
- Sebastian
- Warren
- Vincent
- Walter
Strong Boy Names
- Victor
- Samuel
- Forbes
- Arthur
- Max
- Lucas
- Liam
- Geoffrey
- Elijah
- Ethan
- Caleb
- Harvey
- Alexander
- Patrick
- Andrew
Unique Boy Names
- Knoxx
- Grayson
- Campbell
- Pax
- Leo
- Titus
- Arlo
- Mayer
- Lucien
- Caspian
- Orion
- Odin
- Xavier
- Tristan
- Gryffin
Gender-Neutral Names
- Morgan
- Kendall
- Jamie
- Courtney
- Jessie
- Aston
- Riley
- Ashley
- Tyler
- Xen
- Stirling
- Remington
- Austen
- Ashton
- Beckett
- Harper
- Reese
How to Choose a Name for Your Third Child
Naming a child is an exciting but responsible job. You don’t want your third child to feel like the odd one out with a name that’s too unusual or doesn’t flow with his or her siblings.
You need to consider the length of the name, its meaning, and its origin if you want to ensure your third child is comfortable with their name as they get older.
Another problem associated with naming your third child is that all potential names have already been used up either in the family or by close friends. So, how can you get inspired with the third name without becoming too casual about the whole affair?
Middle Names
Scroll through the list of your family and friends and ask them for their middle names. There may be a name that resonates with you as a first name for your third child. It’s quite common for people to have up to three names.
Of course, you may also want to consider your third child having a middle name, especially if your first two children have second names. Once you’ve picked your third child’s first name, you’ll need to turn your attention to their middle name.
It’s essential to consider the following when giving your child a middle name:
- Rhyme: Make sure it flows with both the first name and the last name.
- Initials: Check that the initials don’t spell out a ridiculous nickname.
- Syllables: Do all the syllables ring nicely when all the names are spoken together?
When choosing a middle name, decide whether it’s better to have a one-syllable or two-syllable name.
Sometimes, a middle name is used more often than your child’s first name so make sure it still has meaning and significance. On my site, I wrote about different middle name ideas for many first names – have a look, e.g. this one for middle name ideas for Oliver.
Meaning
Naming your child should have a personal meaning. When picking a name for your third child ensure it has some significance. This could be linked to your family name, someone special such as a grandmother, or even your best friend’s name.
Some parents wait until their child is born before naming them. This way they can give their baby a name related to some strong traits already displayed by the child in their first days. Knowing the origin of your child’s name adds meaning to it so do your research when picking a name.
A meaningful name will always make your child feel unique and special.
Consider Your Roots
One of the best ways to find a name for your third child is to consider your roots. Going back into your family’s ancestry can often direct you to an original name for your baby. Each culture has its own range of unique names and keeping to your roots adds a deep, personal meaning for your child’s third name.
Think of names such as Darragh for a boy or Brianna for a girl if you have Irish roots. Gwendolyn or Quinn are wonderful Celtic names while Pablo and Carmen are popular for families with Spanish roots.
Length of Name and Spelling
While some longer names are special, bear in mind your child has to learn how to spell them properly as they grow older. This can be challenging for them as they start school. Another consideration is having to sign out a longer name which can become tedious when filling out loads of official forms!
Pronouncing a longer name can also become an issue so consider whether your child’s name should have one or two syllables. A one-syllable name is shorter and easier to say than longer, two-syllable names.
Spelling a name should also be easy. Too often, when a person isn’t familiar with a name, they’ll spell it incorrectly. This kind of typo can become a problem when officials are required to take down your name. Your child’s teacher may even misspell it and the incorrect spelling sticks with your child throughout their school years.
Does Your Third Child’s Name Flow With Their Siblings?
When picking a name for your third child, make sure it flows with your first two children’s names. This way, your third child won’t feel like an outsider in the family. Most often, without realizing it, you picked your second child’s name because it flowed with your first child. You need to do the same with your third baby.
When all of your children’s names flow together it’s so much easier when introducing them to other people. It also looks better when written down. If one name is out of sync with the others, you run the risk of your child being singled out.
Here are some considerations when naming your third child so that it flows with your other children’s names:
- Unique names: If your first two children have unique names then make sure your third child’s name is also unusual. This way, your third child won’t ask you as they get older why their name is so “boring” compared to their siblings.
- Classic names: To keep the flow, give your third child a classic name if both of your children have classical names as well.
- Gender-neutral names: These names often work well for the third child as long as they sound similar to the siblings’ names.
- Family names: If your first two children have family names then do your best to give your third child a family name as well. Not only does this keep the lineage intact but it also helps your third child feel part of the family.
Keeping all your children’s names in sync really makes life as a parent so much simpler so make sure they all flow nicely together!
Ask Your Children to Pick a Name for Their Sibling
Children have a wonderful knack for coming up with names so why not ask yours to think of one for your third child? This works particularly well if your children are slightly older too. Involving them in the naming process brings the family unit closer together and adds to the excitement of having a new sibling.
When your third child grows older and realizes their siblings were responsible for naming him or her, they’ll feel special. The name will have more meaning for them. However, it can get complicated if both children can’t agree on the same name for their youngest sibling. Be prepared to give your baby two names instead of one if there’s a stalemate!
You’ll also have to manage the process and ensure that whatever name the siblings pick for your third child it’s not done for whimsical reasons. A brother may decide to name his new sibling after a girl he has a crush on at school. This could lead to much jesting later on for the third child.
Final Thoughts
There are advantages and disadvantages of having a large family with 3+ kids. However, one big advantage is that you get to name your third child! 🙂
Finding a name for your third child should be as exciting and special as naming your first two children. However, often you’ve run out of names by the time you reach your third baby and all your favorites have been nabbed by family and friends for their own children.
You also need to take into consideration the flow of the name with your first two children while making sure the name is not too long while still being meaningful. Considering your roots is a good way of coming up with a special name for your third child while including a middle name is often required.
