Learning to respect and appreciate names starts at a young age. Reading children’s books about names is a fun way to help your kids do this.
Why Read Children’s Books About Names
Everyone has a name, so little ones must know how to address people.
By learning about different people’s names and the importance of names, little ones can come to appreciate and respect names that sound different than their own.
Many of the children’s books about names listed below have names that may not be familiar.
This is a perfect way to introduce different names to your little ones.
Some of the children’s books about names also go into detail about how names are chosen or how they are given.
What a great way to show different naming traditions.
Building friendships all begin when two kids are introduced.
Learning to pronounce and respect the other person’s name is the first part of beginning a friendship.
Keep reading to find out the top children’s books about names.
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Children’s Books About Names Top Picks
My Name is Cool by Sarah Antonio Scare
Help your little one to see the beauty in their heritage and the things that make them different by reading this cute story about Anotonio.
Your Name Is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
A little girl is frustrated after a day of people mispronouncing her name. Her mother plans to show her little girl that there are many wonderful and inspiring people with African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names.
My Name is Not Isabella by Jennifer Fosberry
Learn about many extraordinary women with this fun pick for the children’s books about names list. Self-identity and self-affirmation are both encouraged in this book.
That’s Not My Name! by Anoosha Syed
Mama helps to show Mirha how unique her name is after her classmates mispronounced it all day. Fueled with determination, Mirha heads to school the next day, ready to help her classmates learn to say her name— no matter how long it takes.
My Name is a Story by Ashanti
Learning to love your name doesn’t always come easily. Ashanti’s mom helps to teach Ashanti that every letter of her name means something special– just like she is.
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
Alma is curious how she got all her names– six in total! Her Daddy helps her see that all her names have a special meaning, and when she puts them together, they are perfect for her.
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
A big move from Korea wasn’t Unhei’s biggest hurdle; people pronouncing her name is. She decides to pick an American name from a glass jar, but with each name she picks, none of the names seem to fit her.
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Chrysanthemum adored her name — that is, until the first day of school. Kids picked on her for her name, and Chrysanthemum felt defeated. Will she ever be able to adore her name once again?
Naming Ceremony by Seina Wedlick
Read about the beauty in the naming ceremony of Amira’s baby sister. This book celebrates a multigenerational Nigerian family, sisterly love, and the special meanings that go into choosing the perfect name.
Millions of Maxes by Meg Wolitzer
Little Max was shocked to learn that there were more kids named Max than just him. He figures out that despite being named the same thing, each kid has extraordinary and unique things about themselves.
Books about Names for Kids
Reading children’s books about names isn’t only so little ones are exposed to different names, but also so littles can see how kids feel when their names are mispronounced.
So curl up together and enjoy reading some name books with each other.