Naming Twins and Multiples:
A conversation with Patricia Malmstrom
Baby Names Garden: When do parents begin to
think about naming multiples?
Pat: No doubt parents first think about naming
some time during the early stages of their "twinshock". When it becomes
clear that the baby on its way is not one, but two, or three, or more, parents are
flooded with a mixture of disbelief, worry and joy. One by one you realize the differences
in parenting challenges that arrive with multiples. Among them is the fact that
you're going to have to come up with two (or three or four) first names. If you
choose to use middle names, you will need two or three or four of those as well.
Baby Names Garden: Besides quantity, what's
different about naming twins and other multiples?
Pat: The most obvious difference is that in
choosing their names, you are naming a pair or a set as well as the individual children.
Since they will be together most of their young lives, their names will often be
used together. It's important that they sound well, not only with your last name,
but with each other.
A second challenge is to find names that are distinctive, easy to remember and to
spell. This may be easier said than done. I remember teen age twin brothers who
were bored by their classic names, something like James and Thomas, so changed them
to Vladimir and Orpheus. I don't know how long their new names lasted, but they
make the point that multiples really like to have names that distinguish them from
each other.
Baby Names Garden: Do names for identicals
(monozygotic) differ from names for fraternals (dizygotic)?
Pat: Yes and no. Identical twins are the same
gender, so they need two girl names or two boy names. Fraternals are either the
same gender or a girl and a boy. One third of twins are boy/girl, so you will need
one of each. Whatever their genders though, each child needs a name to be proud
of, and one which others can remember. Strangely, people who don't know the children
well seem to mix up twins, even boy/girl pairs. That's another reason to try to
give their names some individuality. You can do this by avoiding names that rhyme
with each other like Patty and Hatty, names that begin with the same letter like
John and James, and names that begin with the same sound, like Daralynn and Carolyn.
Baby Names Garden: Does birth order affect
twin names?
Pat: Yes, at least when they are newborn. Hospitals
label the first born as "Baby A". The second born will be "Baby B"
and so on. In some cultures twins are given names which indicate their birth order.
Here though I recommend avoiding identifying multiples that way by, for example,
naming one boy after dad and labeling him "junior". Other children (and
adults) are apt to label such twins as the elder and the younger, and lock them
into stereotypical roles. I've spoken to adult twins who felt that "junior"
had the extra burden of living up to their dad while his twin got off "easy".
Pat: One last thing...
Congratulations! You've found names you like. They sound good together and with
your last name. They don't rhyme or sound alike. They are distinctive, but not too
exotic, easy to remember and spell. Now be sure to check that they will have different
initials or they will be forever plagued with mixed up mail, dental records, and
sometimes even bills!