Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson Website

Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson

Naming Consultant and Childhood Expert

Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming consultant and early childhood expert based in Liverpool, England. Dr. Wilson shares name meanings, naming tips, and other inspiration on social media @little_name_library to over 20k followers on instagram. Dr. Wilson is also a Senior Lecturer in Practice & Employability for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health & Wellbeing degree at Edge Hill University and has extensive experience working with children during early childhood. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood and Adolescence Studies, a Master’s degree in Research, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Liverpool John Moores University.

Education

  • BA (Hons) Childhood & Adolescence Studies, Liverpool John Moores University
  • Master of Research: Health Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Liverpool John Moores University
  • PGCE in Higher Education, University of Huddersfield

Professional Achievements

  • Senior Lecturer and interdisciplinary researcher with a background in psychology, creative arts, and narrative practices
  • Presented her work on reminiscence and life review at international conferences
  • Featured as a baby naming expert on platforms such as wikiHow, where she offers guidance on meaningful, psychologically resonant naming
  • Her research-informed approach is reflected in her consulting work and creative digital presence
  • Currently engaged in ongoing research projects that examine narrative meaning-making in childhood and family identity formation
  • Led and validated a foundation degree in childhood mental health and wellbeing
  • Previously worked as a supervisor in respite care services for children with complex and additional needs
  • Continues to lecture in practice & employability for CAMHS and supervises research in related fields
  • Undertakes private consulting work, applying her expertise in mental health and narrative identity to help individuals and families explore meaningful decision-making

Favorite Piece of Advice

Advice to parents: My favourite advice is to choose a name that feels meaningful to you - one that reflects your values, tells part of your story, or simply feels right when you say it out loud. It doesn’t have to be the most unusual or the most trendy - just a name that feels like it belongs to your family. The right name will carry a quiet strength and grow with your child through every stage of their life.

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Forum Comments (2)

Tell us your favorite middle names for girls
Great middle names can either ground a whimsical first name or add flair to a timeless classic. Some versatile options include: Lou, Mae, Skye, Rae, Elise, Louise, Ruth, Elizabeth, Wren, Claire, Faye, June, Rose, Blythe. When naming, it is important to aim for rhythm, flow, and balance with the first and last names.
What are your favorite unique boy names?
Some favourites: Torin (chief), Orson (little bear), and Lev (heart in Hebrew, lion in Russian). These names stand out without being difficult to wear.

I also love the nature trend right now:
Fox
River
Rowan
Oakes

And the surnames as first names trend:
Brookes
Carter
Beckett
Harrison
Dawson
Easton
Miller

Co-authored Articles (49)

60+ Names That Mean Sun, Sunshine, or Light

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares unique and joyful sunshine names from around the worldThe sun is undeniably beautiful, powerful, and full of radiant energy—qualities that many of us aspire to embody! S...

70+ Cool First & Last Names That Mean Blood or Red

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares the top names related to blood, red, or lifeWhether you want to equip your baby with a unique, blood-is-thicker-than-water type of name, or give your fictional character a...

205+ Male Last Names for Characters, Babies & More

Plus, tips for choosing the perfect male surname!Looking for the perfect last name for a boy? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re providing an extensive list of male last names, whether you want something c...

50+ Names That Mean "Time" for All Genders

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares names that mean "time" from around the worldLooking for a name for your new child (or yourself!) that's truly timeless? You can't go wrong with a name that ''means'' time!...

The 100 Best Bird Names for Baby Girls: Pretty & Unique Options

Plus tips for picking the perfect bird name for your daughter!Birds symbolize freedom, beauty, and grace, making them the perfect source of inspiration for a baby name. In this article, we’re providing an extensive lis...

230+ Beautiful & Unique Egyptian Names for Girls

Names inspired by Egyptian goddesses and queens If you have Egyptian heritage, giving your daughter an Egyptian name is a great way to honor your culture and family. Luckily, there are plenty of beautiful girls’ names ...

125+ Baby Names that Mean Storm, Thunder, or Lightning

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares perfect stormy names for baby girls or boysAre you looking for a boy or girl name that means “storm”? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re an expectant p...

125 Names That Mean Earth for Your Little One

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares earthy names for boys and girlsAre you a new parent looking for the perfect name for your future earth-lover? You’ve come to the right place! We talked to naming expert ...

100+ Names Inspired by Snakes & Serpents

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares some of her favorite snake-related namesSnakes are fascinating creatures that appear in mythology from all over the world, so it’s no surprise that many names are inspir...

The Best Baby Girl & Boy Names That Mean Wind, Sky, or Storm

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares windy nature names that have a timeless, free-spirited vibeAre you looking for a girl or boy name that means “wind” for your little one to be or for a character you’...

200 Beautiful Old English Girls’ Names (Plus a Name Generator)

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares Old English girl names with beautiful & strong meaningsAre you curious about the most unique and beautiful old-fashioned English girls’ names? You’ve come to the right...

125+ Popular & Rare Filipino Surnames (with Meanings)

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares insights into Filipino last namesMany Filipino last names have Spanish origins, due to Spanish colonization in the mid-19th century. However, some last names come from ind...

140+ Beautiful Double Names & Double Middle Names for Girls

Plus, tips to choose the perfect double name!Looking for a double name for your baby girl? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we’re providing the ultimate list of double names and double middle names, whether yo...

Charming Baby Names That Mean Lucky, Fortunate, & Blessed

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares the best baby names that mean “lucky,” “fortunate,” or “blessed”When you have a child, you, of course, want them to have a happy and successful future. So, why...

100 Beautiful Names That Mean “Ocean” or “Sea”

Plus, mythical names inspired by the oceanThe ocean is beautiful, powerful, and the perfect inspiration for baby names! In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 100 of the most beautiful names that mean “ocean” or...

60+ Most Common Indian Surnames (with Meanings)

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares some of the most common Indian surnamesIndia is a diverse and culturally rich country, and the last names definitely match. Whether you have Indian ancestry or are simply ...

60+ Unique Names That Mean “Fox” for Boys & Girls

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares foxy names from languages and cultures all around the worldFoxes are adorable, wildly intelligent, and are featured in mythological tales from around the world, so it’s ...

235 of the Best French Middle Names for Your Little One

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares her best French middle name suggestionsIf you’re an expectant parent looking for a French middle name for your son or daughter, you’re in luck! Whether you’re lookin...

170+ Princess Names and Their Meanings

Find a regal name for your little princessIf you’re a new parent expecting a baby girl, chances are you already see her as your little princess. So why not pick an elegant, regal name to match this energy? We’ve comp...

200 Common Dutch Last Names (From Patronymic to Descriptive)

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson goes over common Dutch surnames & explains where they come fromDutch last names are some of the oldest surnames in the U.S. They can vary from names based on family and location ...
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