If you're expecting twins, or multiples, deciding on names is more complex than usual. Traditionally, many parents have opted for similar-sounding names, or names that start with the same letter, or are connected in some cute, or "meaningful" way, even names that rhyme. The list below, from the Social Security Administration, shows recent twin names in order of popularity.

But before you grab for your rhyming dictionary, consider this: many of the name pairs listed below may not be in the best interest of your children. In fact, experts argue, they may even be problematic or harmful. To understand the effects of mis-naming twins and multiples, we are delighted to have the opinions of two experts in the field. Lynda P. Haddon is an internationally-known multiple birth educator, and we are delighted that she has kindly written an article for Baby Names Garden on the topic of Parental Responsibility in Naming Multiples. It is essential reading if you are trying to come up with names for twins or multiples. For more information on this important topic, check out our interview with twins and multiples expert Pat Malmstrom, on the topic of naming twins.