Show HN: My wife is pregnant; naturally I made a baby-name app to prepare

My wife and me didn't use a computer application. We used p&p and made a list of names we liked, then gave each other the list at a deathline date. Then we reviewed each other's list, if we had a name on both our lists it got a pre (this kind of happened with our first). Otherwise, marked any of the names the other person liked, and then it all started. What I mean with that, its multiple names. The name has to flow. It shouldn't be an offensive acronym. We want certain references (to our last name, and several family members). But all in all, its a matter of give and take. You win some, you lose some.

I'm sure the main principle of the matching can be made in a Tinder-esque app (though I never used Tinder, so I am kind of guessing how it works). But I kind of liked the ease of handing out the lists and the discussions. I don't think an app can (easily) replace that, at least not fully automated. The manual stuff can be made in threads with replies etc.

Just some words of advice: ensure you start when you know gender (can do gender reveal but don't wait too long), and take into account a child can come too early, so don't wait too long. Start proactively with the names. Even if the birth ends up in a disaster (it is possible) you still want to give him/her a name. After all, you knew him/her, especially the woman as she had the child inside her. Naming your child, even if its a miscarriage, helps with acceptance of the tragedy. In other words: it is not a lost effort.

As a soon-to-be father in 3 months, this is great! My wife and I are using this as we speak :)

a) lie

b) maybe that will be common enough by then

c) does that really come up a lot? I don't think I ever asked why and don't think I would require a profound answer. I guess maybe if it wasn't a name that blended in I would have more questions and thoughts about it.

Maybe seed it with the user's genealogy?

In the 90s there were a bunch of db/programming products like clarion, fox pro, and eventually access. It was surprising the stuff people made with them.

The cost model for stuff like airtable doesn’t lend itself to the same products.