If you're looking for the perfect name for your little bundle of joy, then we have a selection that scientists have determined are the most beautiful sounding.
The study, carried out by the University of Birmingham, England, looked at the breakdown of the names -- using phonetics -- and the effect they had on people's emotions when they were spoken aloud.
Dr. Bodo Winter, an associate professor of cognitive linguistics, conducted the research, while taking into account "cultural influences, gender and history," according to the Daily Mail.
"The names that ranked the most highly, provoked the most positive emotions when spoken out loud and therefore are likely to sound most beautiful to the human ear," Winter shared in his report that was made in conjunction with My 1st Years.
Interestingly, the results were different between the United States and the United Kingdom. In England, "Zayn" took the top spot, whereas in the USA, a name of one of the Apostles proved to be the most beautiful-sounding.
Among the top 50 names that were published, the vast majority also happen to belong to some very prominent figures in the Bible and Church history. So if you're looking for a name that corresponds with your faith, while sounding beautiful to the ear, here are the top 10, along with essential information about the saint.
Matthew
The former tax collector was called to follow Jesus and became one of His 12 Apostles. Meaning "gift of God," it's a wonderful choice for your baby boy, especially with the diminutives available.
Julian
There are a number of saints called Julian in the Catholic Church -- notably, Julian the Hospitaller, a European saint who died in the 4th century. He built many hospitals in his lifetime, as well as doing other charitable work, and is particularly venerated in Malta. The timeless name actually means "sky father" and "youthful."
William
Legend has it that this Scottish saint, known as William of Perth, was a baker by trade who was killed by his son while they were on a trip to visit holy places in England. His death is considered a martyrdom as he was on a pilgrimage at the time. Meaning "strong-willed warrior," this is a truly classic name.
Isaiah
This 8th-century BC Israelite prophet has a book named after him in the Bible. The Gospel of John stated that Isaiah "saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him." Hopefully your little boy would also be a witness to this glory as he grows in faith.
Leo
Leo has been a very popular choice of name among the popes during the centuries, with Leo the Great being a notable saint among them. Meaning "lion-hearted," this is the perfect choice for a courageous little chap.
Levi
This was actually the birth name of Matthew the Apostle, so he has two names in the top 10! The meaning of the name is really quite poetic: "united," or "joined in harmony."
Joseph
This is one of the most classical boys' names in the Catholic Church, belonging of course to the earthly father of Jesus Christ. It's one of those names that has so often been found in Catholic families over the centuries, and still works beautifully today. Meaning "The Lord shall add," it is simply the perfect choice for a new arrival.
Theo
Short for Theodore, this name belonged to the 4th-century Turkish saint, Theodore Tiron. The soldier is one of the Church's warrior saints, or Great Martyrs, whom legend says was a dragon slayer. Meaning "gift of God," this is the perfect description of any new addition to your family.
Isaac
The Bible figure Isaac, being the son of Abraham and Sarah, was the second of the patriarchs of Israel, and father to Jacob and Esau. The grandfather of the 12 tribes of Israel, Isaac is a key figure in Abrahamic religions. The meaning of Isaac being "one who rejoices" will surely spread some love and laughter in your house.
Samuel
This Bible figure is described as the last judge of Israel. Like Isaac, he is venerated in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. As a result, the name, meaning "God heard" or "name of God," is popular throughout the world.
