Top 11 Baby Name Books

Beyond Ava and Aiden is a highly addictive and fun read. It is a great source for anyone trying to choose a name for a baby who is looking to get away from stodgy, lengthy lists of names, meanings, origins and lots of details. This spunky book of lists and characteristics is sure to find a place in your baby naming bookshelf.

A great book for the parent who is really into baby name searching. With the handy information at your finger tips you can really look at most aspects of nearly any name you'd think of on your own (and a few others). This book is not for people who are easily overwhelmed by information.

Joal Ryan wrote this hip baby name book. Are you looking for something flashy and fun? This baby name book has names from stars (both celestial and Hollywood) and tips on giving your baby a less than usual name, including dealing with the birth certificate registrar who stares at you like you're mad for choosing that name.

And for those of you who want the traditional baby name book with thousands of choices and straight forward names, Bruce Lansky has compiled these names for you in an easy to read format.

Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz also wrote this book on names. While it is very different from their first book of names, it is still a fun read. Again, the humor and sarcasm are so wonderfully refreshing. There are fewer names in this book, but more running, hilarious, commentaries. Perhaps it's supposed to be serious, but it really does make you look at names you choose.

Looking for a book of Irish baby names? Look no further than Geoffrey Johnson's complete guide to naming your baby with lots of great Irish names.

Fiona MacMath offers you a complete listing of Saint names for your baby, including history, definition or more.

Teresa Norman has compiled more than 10,000 names from African and Muslim heritages. It includes the origin and meanings of the names and suggestions on choosing a name for your baby.

Bruce Lansky and Barry Sinrod have compiled a fabulous book of baby names. Not only does it share what the names mean, but what, according to opinion polls, do people think of the names. The original book was one of my first baby name books. It was handy to know who had the name I was thinking about using and what first grade teachers would think.

Joy and Paul Gardner give you a biblical tour of names from both the old and new testaments. The history and the backgrounds and common usages of the names. A definite must for the person who is leaning towards a biblical name. It includes names that you won't find in other books.

This baby name book by Pamela Redmond Satran, Linda Rosenkrantz is one of my favorites. Not only does it go beyond your typical baby naming book, it's got some great stories and awesome lists. Why pour through 200,000 when you don't have to? The humor and wit kept my husband and reading, even after we found some name ideas.