Help
Where do the numbers come from?
UK figures add together the official baby-name lists for England and Wales (Office for National Statistics), Scotland (National Records of Scotland) and Northern Ireland (NISRA), from 1996. US figures come from the Social Security Administration's national list, from 1880. If you choose Somewhere else, Nameling adds the UK and US records together from 1996, when both begin. Each name's page says which year its figures are from.
Why can't I find a name?
The records leave out names given to very few babies in a year (fewer than 3 in the UK, fewer than 5 in the US), so very rare names can't be counted. Search also lists rarer names that were recorded but are too rare to appear in the swipe deck. Check the filters too: you may have hidden that kind of name. Every name in the deck also has its own page on this website, in Names A to Z.
What's the difference between Like and Love?
Like a name you'd consider (swipe right, or tap Like). Love the ones you like most (swipe up, or tap Love): they get their own list at the top of your shortlist, and a name you and your partner both love is marked with two stars. Both count as a yes when Nameling looks for names you both like.
How does pairing work?
One of you opens Together and creates a code; the other joins with it, from the link or by typing the code (there's an "I've got a pair code" button on the welcome screen too). You each swipe on your own phone, and Nameling shows the names you both liked. Neither of you ever sees the other's passes. You can see how many names your partner likes, and swipe through the ones they liked that you haven't seen yet; turn on hints in the Together screen to have their likes marked on your cards as well. By default the app also skips names your partner has turned down; you can change that there too.
How do I move to a new phone?
If you're paired, copy the restore code from the Together screen and paste it into Settings → Restore from another phone on the new one. Otherwise use Settings → Export and Import.
How do I delete my data?
Settings → Start over clears your swipes on this device. Together → Unpair deletes the whole pairing, both of your names and lists, from Nameling's server. See the privacy page for the details.
Who writes the meanings?
Meanings credited to Wiktionary come from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). The rest are short notes Nameling wrote with the help of AI. They can be wrong, so check anything that matters to you, and tell us if you spot a mistake.
Does it cost anything?
No. Nameling is free, with no adverts, no account to make and nothing to buy.
Does Nameling track me?
No. If you agree when it asks, it sends anonymous counts, such as how many names are swiped, with nothing that identifies you. You can change your answer in Settings → Send anonymous usage counts. The privacy page has the details.
Contact us
A question, something not working, or a name or meaning we've got wrong? Send a message and we'll reply by email, usually within a few days.