Congratulations on your coming baby boy! If you're here, that means you're ready to pick a name for your new boy! We've got thousands of names on our site for you to pick from, but in this article we're going to focus on those that start with I. We've also got some solid tips for picking a name, since we know that process can be quite difficult! From biblical options like Isaiah and Isaac to unusual options like Iggy and Idris, here’s a solid list of baby boy names that start with the letter I.
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Most Popular Boy Names That Start With I in 2023
First we'll start with the most popular baby boy names that start with I in 2023:
- Isaac
- Isaiah
- Ian
- Ivan
- Israel
- Ismael
- Ibrahim
- Imani
- Isaias
- Ivory
- Ira
- Indigo
- Idris
- Ishaan
- Isa
- Ignacio
- Indiana
- Iman
- Immanuel
- Issa
Unique Baby Boy Names Starting With I in 2023
While it’s fun to see what lots of other people are naming their babies, many people prefer to find baby names that are more uncommon. To that end, below are some of the more unusual & unique boy names that start with I:
- Iverson
- Innes
- Ichabod
- Iker
- Iori
- Iago
- Imre
- Itachi
- Ido
- Idan
- Ichigo
- Itzal
- Ilan
- Iku
- Indy
Tips for Picking a Baby Name
Picking a baby name can be tough work. There's thousands of names out there to choose from, so picking the right one can feel like an insurmountable challenge. We've got some tips to make the process easier for you, so take a look!
Think about locations for inspiration. If you're struggling to come up with names you like and you've gone through all the lists, then start looking for inspiration in other places. One of these places could be the locations you've lived. Perhaps a street you lived on has a name in it. Or, you could draw inspiration from the names of places you went to on your honeymoon. There's lots of options for this!
Keep a list of all the names you and your partner like. When you're exploring the internet for name ideas, you'll likely find a lot of names that you like. Keep track of these by writing them down on a list; otherwise, you'll likely forget about them later. Consider using a Google or Excel sheet to be even more organized.
Give yourself ample time to come up with a name. Picking a name at the end of your pregnancy can bring unneeded stress for you and your baby. Try to begin discussing names around the second trimester. The risk of miscarriage is a lot lower by this stage, so it's safe to begin planning more concretely for the arrival of your baby. If you and your partner have a lot of debate over what name to pick, having time to settle it will be very helpful.
Consider a celebrity you admire. Is there an actor, musician, or historical figure that you adore or look up to? If so, consider naming your child after this figure! This is a great way to demonstrate your appreciation for and admiration of this person you look up to. Sometimes, it can also help settle the name debate. If both you and your partner love the same person, then it should be easy sailing from there!
Don't jump to be eccentric or unusual. Sure, odd names or different spellings of common names are fun and fascinating. But, as your child ages, others around them may not share that opinion. If you give your child a name that's quite eccentric or unusual, they're more likely to face bullying and bias from those around them. In addition, it could give a bad impression on job or college applications. While it would be nice to live in a world where this wasn't true, unfortunately people are going to have and express opinions on your child's name. Try to mitigate the challenges they'll face in this department by giving them a name that isn't too out there.
Look to nature for inspiration. Are you and your partner avid nature lovers? Perhaps you enjoy hiking, biking, or mountaineering. Or, maybe you just have an appreciation for Mother Nature. Either way, nature can be an inspiration when it comes to baby names. Lots of flowers have pretty names, for example. If you're stuck on the name issue and you've gone through all the traditional lists, then look to nature for help.
Remember that your child's name has associated nicknames. Sometimes, we really love a name, but not the nicknames that come with it. In this case, you'll want to pick a different name. It's important to think about a name we like from all angles; this includes considering the nicknames that come with it. You might love the name Daniel, but hate Dan or Danny.
Draw on your heritage. What ethnicities are you and your partner? You can draw on these for inspiration. It's a great way to honor your heritage and to ensure your child is connected to their ancestry from the start. Your family will also likely appreciate the sentiment of picking a name that honors your ancestry in this way.
What to Do If You're Struggling Between Two Names
Many parents have faced a seemingly impossible dilemma when faced with two names that they love. Sometimes, the names can both work as a first and middle name, respectively. But other times, a choice between the two has to be made. What should you do if you reach this dilemma?
Asking others for their opinion is a great route to take in this situation. We know a lot of people hate the thought of accepting others' input on their baby's name. After all, it isn't their child! But, we encourage you to actually see that as a good thing. Because they're removed from the situation, they're able to offer you an unbiased opinion on a name. Pick a few people that you trust, and ask them about the names you're torn between. Hopefully, there will be a clear winner!
If that doesn't work, try walking away from the name game for a while. Sometimes, decisions are easier when we've had time to clear our heads. Take a few days to focus on other things, especially things that help you relax. The answer may very well come to you when you least expect it!
If all else fails, you may need to consider scrapping the names. If you spend all your time going back and forth between names you can't pick between, eventually you'll run out of time to pick a name. Rushing to pick your child's name is never a good idea; it'll likely lead to you picking something you're not happy with. Go back to the drawing board if you just can't pick between a pair of names. You can always come back to those names again if you're truly unable to come up with something.
Did you find any winners in our list of boy names that start with I? If not, don't worry! We have thousands more names on the site to choose from. We've got lists for every letter, so make sure to check all of them out. Remember to take your time when picking your child's name, and to think about how comfortable your child will be with this name. Don't go overboard with the creativity! It's possible to be unique without giving your child a name that'll leave them vulnerable to bullying and bias. Congratulations again on your coming baby boy!