Are baby name books helpful?

[Littlebitsleepy]

We're expecting a boy and I'm struggling to find a name I love. I've looked at loads of lists of names online but nothing's jumped out at me yet. Is it worth getting a baby name book, or do they tend to be full of the same lists you can just find online?

Many baby name books - and websites - are full of inaccuracies. This baby name book was produced by a leading reference publisher, and can be relied on. This is the relatively brief online version - you can also buy paperback copies of the complete text from Amazon and other retailers:

www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198610601.001.0001/acref-9780198610601

Yes, they are useful for ideas. If you see a name you like, do some separate internet searches on it, i.e. to find more about the origin/meaning.

It’s how he choose DS name so I’d say yes

I read a couple of name books when I was pregnant both times, but we just kept coming back to the names we'd liked all along. I suppose they might be more helpful if you have no idea what names you like.

I used to buy them as a child from charity shops because I just loved reading them 😂

We found it useful to have a book around for ideas - we'd pick it up every now and again and go through a few letters' worth of names. It was a good talking point when friends and family came round - they'd often have a quick flick through. We did extra online research on our shortlist though.

Thanks all, sounds like it would be useful to get one.

Cosmoa so did I!

@Picknickers haha 😂 we're such saddos ❤️

I found it helpful to get a short list. DC2s name was a name I'd heard of but forgotten and found in a book.

I signed up to the local library and went through two cover-to-cover. I enjoyed it! And got a nice shortlist from them.