When Do Babies Know Their Name? Tips to Reach This Milestone

One of the developmental milestones I wondered when my babies were little was when do babies know their name? Your little baby is growing so fast and has so many things to experience in this world. The first few months with your newborn seems like a never ending cycle of feeding, changing and sleeping but sometimes you don’t realize they are actually learning non-stop. 

The rate of their learning and growing is so fast we sometimes miss major milestones or get nervous about when our babies should meet new ones. Some of the most important are based on communicating with each other. We crave connection with our babies and they love connecting with us.

One of the most fun moments is when we realize our baby recognize their name. 

At What Age do Babies Start Recognizing their Name?

The normal age that babies start recognizing their name is between 4 – 9 months. Usually it is 6-7 months but a little before or after is still considered normal. But definitely in the first year of life you should see recognition of their own name.

How to help your baby to know their name?

5 Easy Tips to Help your Baby Know their Own Name. 

1. Narrate your day – Babies need to hear words to increase their overall language skills. The best way is to be constantly talking and showing them things as you go through your day to day activities. This was hard for me as I am not much of a talker and like others who don’t like the sound of your voice. When going for a walk point out trees and animals. Point to different people and say who they are such as Mommy, Daddy and Brother, and then point to them and say their own name. 
2. Use Mirror – Point in a mirror to yourself and say Mommy or Daddy and then point to their reflection and say their name. Be sure to also add in funny faces and noises. A great way to make a fussy baby start to smile.
3. Sing – There are many songs that can use your baby’s name. Find a lullaby and just replace your baby’s name. Or just make up a silly tune. 
4. Repeat Repeat Repeat – repetition is the best way to learn. Hearing the sound of their name many times is the best way to learn. Have different family members say your baby’s name when they see them. Get everyone involved in speaking to your little one.
5. Use Different Voices – mix things up so they don’t get bored. Say your baby’s name sometimes in a low voice and sometimes in a high voice. They are so young they will lose attention quickly and one way to gain it back is to change the tone of your voice. Even baby talk works to mix things up. As long as you are using affectionate tones your little one will have fun.

Signs your baby knows their name.

It is so exciting when you realize they understand their name. Usually signs that your baby recognizes their name are turning towards you, moving their eye contact to you when you say their name, smiling or cooing and even kicking their legs. 

When will your baby say their name?

A normal time frame for a baby to say their own name is 18 – 24 months. 

Babies will first babble and say easy words such as mama and dada before saying their own name. These first words that are simple one syllable words usually start at 12 months but saying something that may be a little more complicated such as their own name for the first time my take until 18 to 24 months.

What to do when your 6, 7, 8 or 9 month old doesn’t recognize their name? 

When your baby is below 9 months of age do not worry. Begin to use some of the steps listed above to help your baby recognize words and objects. A baby’s name recognition is a big milestone that each kid learns at their own pace.

What to do when you 10 month old or older baby doesn’t recognize their name?

Look for signs that they can hear other sounds. Do they startle at a loud noise? Do they make squealing sounds or babble? If not then please make an appointment with your pediatrician who may recommend an audiologist or speech pathologist. This does not necessarily mean there is a developmental delay. There could be many ways to have early intervention to help easily achieve this important milestone.

Related Posts: 8 Unique Activities to Stimulate Brain Development in Infants. 

Conclusion:

Recognition of words is the first step to getting babies close to saying their first words. This developmental milestone doesn’t normally happen until closer to 12 months of age. Other verbal skills will come later. I always looked forward to being able to communicate with my little ones and would watch closely to my baby’s responses when I was speaking to them.

Remember your baby’s development happens in their own timeline. A baby’s communication skills are growing at different rates during the early months and there is no need to compare. I promise in Kindergarten there will not be a prize for who recognized their name first. Whether you are new parents or experiences parents this is not a race but it is a good idea to keep track of their development to be aware if there were to ever be a problem with your baby’s communication skills.

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