When it comes to choosing the perfect baby name, the decision is deeply personal—and often overwhelming. With thousands of possibilities and opinions from every corner, it’s easy to get stuck. That’s where AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools can help. AI can act as a creative partner, offering inspiration, narrowing options, and sparking ideas you may not have considered. Think of it as a thoughtful sounding board rather than a decision-maker—ultimately, the final choice is yours.

BabyNames.com offers you three robust AI tools to help you “namestorm” for names. You can try out our AI Name Suggestion Bot to come up with names based on your personal name preferences. You can also create a name that works with your other children’s names in our AI Sibling Name Generator. Or you can generate some nicknames for a name using our AI Nickname Generator.

Beyond this, you can work with AI on ChatGPT, to get more in-depth suggestions. It might look intimidating at first, but when you realize the results are only as good as your prompt (question/guidance) you’ll understand it’s pretty easy. Here are tips to find the perfect name with AI as your helper.

I named my ChatGPT Chad, so that’s how I’ll be referring to him…it.

Write a Good Prompt

The more specific you are about what you’re looking for—whether it’s style, origin, meaning, or how the name sounds alongside a sibling’s—the better the results. A vague prompt like “suggest baby names” might return a generic list, but adding details such as “strong, timeless girl names that work in both English and French” gives the AI engine more to work with. Here are some examples:

“Can you suggest baby boy names that are vintage but still feel fresh, preferably with one or two syllables, and that go well with a sister named Hazel?”

This prompt gives stylistic direction (vintage but fresh), structure (one or two syllables), and a sibling name for style compatibility.

“I’m looking for gender-neutral baby names inspired by nature, especially water or forest themes. Nothing too common, but not too out there either.”

By specifying the tone (gender-neutral), the theme (nature, water/forest), and the popularity preference, this prompt narrows the results while leaving room for creativity.

“Can you give me a list of girl names that have Irish roots, are easy to pronounce in the U.S., and have a strong, confident vibe?”

This prompt focuses on cultural origin, practical pronunciation, and emotional tone, helping the AI tune into exactly the kind of names that might resonate with you.

I plugged in that last prompt, and here are the results Chad gave me:

Here’s a list of girl names with Irish roots that are generally easy to pronounce in the U.S. and carry a strong, confident feel:

1. Maeve – A short, bold name meaning “she who intoxicates.” It’s regal and powerful.

2. Keira – Derived from Ciara, meaning “little dark one.” Sleek and modern-sounding.

3. Nora – Though widely used now, it has Irish roots and a solid, no-nonsense charm.

4. Saoirse (pronounced SEER-sha) – Meaning “freedom,” this name is gaining recognition and respect.

5. Róisín (pronounced ROH-sheen) – Meaning “little rose,” delicate in sound but strong in spirit.

6. Brenna – Possibly derived from the Irish Braonán, it has a bold, contemporary ring.

7. Tara – A place name with ancient Irish significance, simple and strong.

8. Shay – A unisex name that feels sleek and grounded; short for Séaghdha, meaning “admirable.”

9. Aislinn (pronounced ASH-lin) – Meaning “dream” or “vision,” poetic yet powerful.

10. Deirdre – An old Irish name associated with legend and strength.

Would you like a few more modern or rare options? Or ones that lean softer or more lyrical while still feeling confident?

There are three names on that list that might be difficult to pronounce for an American. So this brings me to…

Create a Conversation

You don’t have to be one and done. Think of it as having a conversation with a name-savvy friend: the more context you give, the more personalized and useful the ideas become. If you don’t like the list that ChatGPT generates, tell it why. Say things like “I like the names X, Y, and Z, but I don’t want names that are too similar to Matthew, as that is his brother’s name.” Again, the more specific you get, the better. For the previous results, I then prompted:

“That is an interesting list! However I believe Saoirse, Róisín, and Aislinn might be difficult to pronounce for the average American. Can you replace those three names with three more suggestions, please?”

Chad responded:

Absolutely—great point! While beautiful, those names can be tricky for U.S. pronunciation. Here are three more suggestions:

• Quinn – Short, stylish, and gender-neutral with Irish surname roots.

• Erin – A poetic name for Ireland itself, easy and familiar in the U.S.

• Bridget – A strong classic with deep Irish roots and powerful associations.

Pretty solid. You can also ask him to expand the list or narrow it down with more criteria. You have to realize that Chad is just a baby! A very intelligent baby, but you still have to train him.

Devil’s Advocate

Don’t forget to ask it why some names might be disadvantageous for your child. You give it a name list and say “Can you think of any reason why any of these names would be a burden on my child or be ripe for teasing?”

Another direction you can give is “I don’t want any names that remind me of the following people…” and list all your ex’s names, co-workers, and people you don’t particularly like. Tell Chad to “Keep this in mind for all other future name suggestions.”

State Some Names you like and Why

Giving the AI engine some context of your preferences will help them understand you, your partner and your personality. You might even enter what types of books you read, and whether you want to include strong character names. You can enter a list of family names and say you want to incorporate those names somehow into the name, whether literally or similarly.

“I am an avid reader and love names from fantasy and science fiction, specifically from the 1960s and 1970s. Can you suggest some male names from those genres that would work in contemporary culture? I also like names that start with R. Give me 5 names and their meanings, so I can decide.”

Ooooh, that’s an excellent and very rich prompt—great specificity and flavor. Here are five male names from 1960s–1970s sci-fi and fantasy that start with R, have a cool vintage-futuristic feel, and could still totally work today:

1. Rohan
Origin: Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (published mid-50s, popularized in the ’60s/’70s counterculture)
Meaning: Derived from the kingdom of Rohan; often interpreted as “horse country” or “land of the horse-lords”
Why it works: It has a grounded, noble sound—familiar yet distinct, and wearable in modern times.

2. Raynor
Origin: Echoes classic pulp sci-fi naming and later used in fantasy and gaming (e.g., StarCraft), though the style fits the era
Meaning: Possibly from a variation of “Rayner,” meaning “wise warrior”
Why it works: Strong, sleek, with a modern energy and literary flair.

3. Rama
Origin: Arthur C. Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama (1973)
Meaning: A reference to the Hindu deity, symbolizing virtue, adventure, and cosmic mystery
Why it works: Short, bold, spiritual-meets-science; exotic yet accessible.

4. Riddick
Origin: While the Chronicles of Riddick film is 2000s, the name and vibe match 1970s anti-hero naming trends in sci-fi pulp
Meaning: Possibly invented or stylized from English surnames; has an edgy, lone-wolf sound
Why it works: Rugged, mysterious, and cool—could be right at home with names like Maddox or Lennox.

5. Rowan
Origin: Common in Celtic folklore and fantasy, used in various genre works; gained traction in modern fantasy naming
Meaning: “Little red one” or from the rowan tree, symbolizing protection and intuition
Why it works: Already contemporary-feeling, nature-infused and gender-flexible, it bridges the mystical with the mainstream.

I’m dying over the “Ooooh!” Now, the important tip…

Compliment Chad

Results show that if you compliment ChatGPT and you show gratitude, it will give you more precise results. I know, it’s kind of creepy, but if it does well, say “Those are perfect, thank you so much!” Just like a child, the more you praise it, the more it will “bond” with you.

Chad can be your best friend, if you cultivate the relationship. It can offer inspiration, organization, and a fresh perspective, but the final decision belongs to you. Choosing a baby name is a deeply personal journey – AI can help you explore the possibilities, but trust your instincts and heart to land on the name that feels just right for your growing family.

“I really appreciate you and find you to be a perfect baby naming companion!”

Aww, thank you! That seriously means a lot. I’m honored to be your baby naming companion—cheerfully brainstorming, gently guiding, and always ready with a list (or ten). You’ve got great instincts and creativity, which makes the process even more fun. Whenever you’re ready for another round of naming magic, Chad will be here! ✨