Sonya Prior Website

Sonya Prior

Baby Naming Expert and Content Creator

Sonya Prior is a name consultant known as the BB Namer based in Auckland, New Zealand. With a lifelong interest in names and a background in brand strategy, marketing, and copywriting, Sonya has grown her passion for names into a baby naming consulting business and shares name content on social media to over 30k followers across Instagram and TikTok. Sonya has worked with families around the world and has been featured in The Cut, The New Zealand Herald, The Telegraph, The Sydney Morning Herald, and more.

Education

  • BA Art History & Sociology, University of Auckland

Favorite Piece of Advice

A name is one of the first gifts you give your child. Make sure it is about them whilst reflecting on where and who they come from. The right name will always feel just like that - right, and go easy on yourself. A name is one of the few things you can control in pregnancy, so it is easy for people to fixate on it. Have fun, come from a place of love, and be kind to yourself along the process.

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Co-authored Articles (51)

230 Pretty, Aesthetic, & Whimsical Surnames

How to choose a gorgeous last nameIf you’re a writer, an artist, or another type of creative, you probably know how important it is to come up with a fitting and aesthetically pleasing name for your character. Luckily,...

100 Unique and Edgy Names for Boys

Embrace your dark side with these edgy namesIf you find traditional boy names a bit boring, you may prefer something a bit edgier. Luckily, we’re here to help! In this article, we’ve compiled a list of some of the be...

Evil Female Names with Dark Meanings

Learn the history behind the most villainous girl names of all timeLooking for an evil female name that’s unique and powerful? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re providing the ultimate list of evil girl ...

The Ultimate List of Victorian Girl Names

Unique, pretty, & elegant Victorian names from a bygone eraNames like Eleanor, Beatrice, Phoebe, and Cordelia are more than old-fashioned girl names—they specifically became popular in the mid to late 1800s in the Vict...

The Most Enchanting Baby Names That Mean Night, Dark, Moon, or Stars

Choose the perfect night-related name for your little oneThe night has long been regarded as a magical time of day, where the world gets quiet and dark and the stars get their chance to shine. So, it’s no surprise that...

226 African & African American Names for Boys

Powerful names from various African countriesThe countries of Africa all have a rich history and a unique culture, so it’s no surprise that there are a variety of beautiful African names for boys. If you want to honor ...

The Best Baby Names That Mean Ice for Your Little One

Plus, icy name ideas that mean snow & winterWhether you’re expecting a baby in the winter or simply love the beauty of the coldest season, there are plenty of names that mean “ice” and capture its frosty magic. In ...

200+ Baby Names That Mean Death & Darkness for Boys & Girls

Your guide to death-related names throughout world cultures & folklore Are you looking for a baby name with power, gravity, and a connection to the concept of death or darkness? While some people may think a name that me...

140+ Royal Surnames That Are Fit for the Throne

A list of the best royal surnames from history & fictionWhether you’re writing a novel, creating a character, or simply daydreaming, this detailed list of royal last names is sure to help! We scoured the internet for t...

115 Mysterious Names That Mean Shadow, Darkness, or Night

Plus, learn the symbolic meanings of each nameAre you looking for cool, interesting names that mean “shadow”? Whether you want to celebrate all things dark with a shadowy name for a baby or a character you’re writi...

60+ Names That Mean Sun, Sunshine, or Light

Find unique and joyful names in Greek, Spanish, and moreThe sun is undeniably beautiful, powerful, and full of radiant energy—qualities that many of us aspire to embody! So, whether you’re naming your baby, a pet (ak...

Top 350 British Names for Boys (and Their Meanings)

Choose the perfect British-inspired boy nameBritish names have a sense of elegance and sophistication. Whether you’re looking to embrace your British heritage or simply looking for a classic name for your baby boy, the...

122 Victorian Era Last Names & Their Meanings

Find the perfect Victorian surname for a fictional characterSo you’ve come up with an amazing idea for a story set in the Victorian era, but you’re having trouble coming up with last names for your characters that ar...

150+ Common Italian Last Names + Meanings

Study the history of Italian, Sicilian, & Italian-American surnamesItaly is not only renowned for its food, art, history, and landscapes, but also for its surnames that have unique and culturally-rich meanings. Italian s...

165+ Medieval Last Names and Surnames From England & Europe

Plus, learn how to create your own historic surname with a generatorAre you interested in last names that date back to the Middle Ages? Keep reading, because we’ve put together a list of over 180 medieval last names th...

150+ Baby Names That Mean Fire for Boys & Girls

A guide to fire-related names in mythology, history & world languages Do you want to give your child an unforgettable name with a unique, fiery spark? There’s no shortage of names related to fire, regardless of your cu...

140+ Baby Names Meaning Blue, Sky, Ocean & More

The best blue-inspired names from different languages & culturesBlue is a powerful color that symbolizes peace, tranquility, and trust, making it a great source of name inspiration for your child. In this article, we’v...

200+ Lovely Girls', Boys', and Unisex Names That Mean Light

Baby names meaning "light" from different cultures & languages If you’re looking for a luminous name that reflects the dazzling nature of light in all its forms, you’ve come to the right place. There are powerful and...

75 Dark, Gothic, & Witchy Names for Boys

Find the perfect mysterious and broody boy name Do you enjoy the darker side of life? If so, a dark baby name may be right up your alley! We’ve compiled a list of the best dark, gothic, and witchy boy names, with sugge...

The Coolest Character Names for Male & Female Characters

Plus, our character name generator for unlimited ideas!Looking for a cool name for your male or female character? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re providing an extensive list of cool character names for ...
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