Choosing a baby name might seem simple, but it actually carries a lot of emotional weight.
This week, Meghan Markle weighed in with some strong advice on naming babies during the season finale of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.
Following her insights, a psychotherapist also shared some important things parents should keep in mind when making this personal decision.
Meghan Markle’s Advice: Keep Your Baby Name Close to Your Heart
On her podcast, Meghan opened up about the challenges of naming things — whether it’s a business or a baby.
Speaking with Spanx founder Sara Blakely, Meghan compared picking a company name to naming a child: both require protecting the idea closely.
She warned listeners, “If you have an idea about what you want to name your baby, keep it close to your heart until the baby is born and the name is set.
Don’t ask anyone’s opinion.” Her point? Sharing too soon can open you up to unwanted opinions and pressure.
Experts Agree: Protect Your Emotional Space During This Vulnerable Time
Brianna Paruolo, a New York-based psychotherapist, told DailyMail.com that Meghan’s advice hits the mark.
She explained that naming a baby is a deeply personal moment full of hopes and dreams.
When parents share their name ideas too early, they may face criticism or judgment from friends and family, even if it’s well-meaning.
“Others often project their own preferences onto your choices, which can cause anxiety and doubt,” Paruolo said.
She emphasized that parents need to guard this intimate space to maintain confidence in their decisions.
Naming Your Baby Should Feel Like an Intention, Not an Obligation
Paruolo suggested that parents should think about naming as a loving intention.
It’s less about pleasing others and more about how the name feels to the parents themselves.
“Say the name with love, correction, or celebration — if it resonates authentically with you, that’s the right name,” she shared.
It’s about connecting emotionally to the name, not meeting everyone else’s expectations.
Setting Boundaries Around Sharing Your Baby’s Name
Another key point Paruolo made was about boundaries.
Deciding when and how to share the name can set the tone for how much influence others have over your parenting choices.
“Setting boundaries around this conversation is crucial,” she advised.
If you face pushback, a calm but firm response like, “We appreciate that you care about our family, but this name feels right for us,” can help redirect the discussion.
Parenting, she reminded, comes with many decisions that outsiders will likely question — and standing firm helps keep your family’s needs front and center.
The Royal Perspective: How Meghan and Harry Chose Their Children’s Names
In their biography Finding Freedom, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand shed light on how Meghan and Harry approached naming their son, Archie.
They wanted something “traditional and powerful, even without a royal title.”
Archie, meaning strength and bravery, perfectly fit the bill.
A friend of the couple even joked that they only briefly considered the more formal “Archibald,” but “little Archie” was always the plan.
Unlike many royals with multiple middle names, Archie has just one — Harrison — a nod to his dad, Prince Harry. It means “son of Henry” or “son of Harry.”
Honoring Family with Lilibet Diana’s Name
Their daughter, Lilibet, carries a middle name that honors Harry and William’s late mother, Princess Diana, who passed away in 1997.
This thoughtful tribute keeps family memory alive while giving the baby a unique and meaningful name.
Trust Yourself When Naming Your Baby
At the end of the day, naming your baby is a beautiful and emotional journey.
Meghan Markle and experts like Brianna Paruolo remind us that it’s important to protect this process, trust your instincts, and create space for your family’s joy — no matter what others say.