Your doctor has just delivered the good news. You are expecting a baby. But wait! There is another surprise. You are carrying twins. This means double of everything: clothes, diapers, toys, etc. Your two little bundles of joy also need their own names. Having twins brings up a multitude of points to consider when naming them. Keep the following guidelines in mind when you select names for your children.

Naming Babies according to Birth Order

When you go for your regular check-up during your pregnancy, your doctor may often refer to your children as Baby A and Baby B. This is a logical order followed by most medical professionals, in order to distinguish between multiple babies in the same womb. Many parents sometimes choose to name their babies using the same parameters. Therefore, the eldest child will have a name beginning with 'A', the second beginning with 'B', and so on.

When you name babies according to their birth order, it is like tagging them. Their names will be a constant reminder of their birth status. This can also backfire when they get into petty squabbles. Do not be surprised if you hear sentences like 'I came first, I want that toy' if you decided to follow this option.

Giving Similar Sounding Names

A large number of parents of twins love to give their children similar sounding names. This is especially true for parents of monozygotic or identical twins. Parents are tempted to go for this option because they think it sounds cute. This decision can also be influenced by another factor. Parents are more likely to give their children similar sounding names if both children are of the same gender. This does not mean that parents of a boy and a girl do not go the same way.

Names that sound the same as well as those that rhyme can often cause confusion as your children get older. For example, if you call out to one child, the other one will reply instead. This is especially true if you happen to be standing in one room and your children are watching television in the next room or are in a room in a different part of the house. Another issue with these names is that both names will probably have the same nickname or can be shortened the same way.

Palindrome and Anagram Names

A palindrome refers to a word which is spelt the same way when read backwards. Lots of people name their twins using a palindrome. It may seem amusing at first. Also, it avoids the hassle of similar sounding names since you usually end up with two distinct names. Some parents choose anagrams. This means that one name has its letters rearranged to form the second one.

If you use these kinds of names, remember that you are binding your children forever. They will always be associated together because of their names. This may continue right up to the stage where your children are married and have families of their own. Twins are linked to one another but each child also needs a distinct identity. By using a palindrome or anagram name, you may make it more difficult for them to establish their separate identities.

Using Names with the Same Initials

Another popular choice is to give twin babies names beginning with the same letter. This way, your children can have different names. The only drawback of this choice is that your children will also end up with the same initials. This can create havoc when it comes to labelling possessions. If your children are going on a school tour, everything will have the same initials. Right from their clothes and undergarments to their accessories, camera, etc. Remember to be prepared for fights over belongings if you decide to go this route.

Names with the Same Meaning

You can consider giving your children two distinct names with the same meaning. This way your children retain their twin status but also have their own identity. Popular choices for these names are mostly different names of a God or a mythological figure. You could even name your children using names with the same meaning in different languages.

Naming your children should be a well thought out decision. Your choice will influence them for the rest of their lives.