Who is Taylor A. Humphrey?

Taylor A. Humphrey is a professional “Name Consultant” or “Naming Specialist” based in New York City. She has turned the traditionally informal act of brainstorming baby names into a formal, high-end consulting business. With a background that includes work in the film industry and a degree from NYU, she applies a project management and creative development approach to the process of naming a child.

Her clientele is diverse but often consists of professionals, celebrities, and couples who are either overwhelmed by the options, facing disagreement, or simply view their child’s name as a significant branding decision worthy of professional investment.

The Core Service: What Does She Actually Do?

Taylor Humphrey doesn’t just provide a list of names. Her service is a comprehensive, collaborative process. The central offering is a “Name Consultation,” for which she charges a starting price of $1,500, with rates going up to $10,000 or more for premium packages.

The process typically unfolds in several detailed stages:

1. The In-Depth Intake Questionnaire

Before any naming begins, clients fill out an extensive questionnaire. This is the foundational step and covers areas such as:

  • Family & Heritage: Surnames, cultural background, names of important family members to honor or avoid.
  • Likes & Dislikes: Clients must provide specific examples of names they love and, crucially, names they hate, with reasons.
  • Aesthetic & Vibe: What “feeling” should the name evoke? (e.g., strong and classic, soft and whimsical, modern and gender-neutral).
  • Personal Interests: Hobbies, favorite books, artists, travel destinations, etc., that could serve as inspiration.
  • Practical Considerations: Preferences on nickname potential, popularity (do they want a top-10 name or something unique?), and flow with the middle and last name.

2. The Creative Brief and “Sourcing”

Using the intake form, Humphrey creates a creative brief, much like an advertising agency would for a new product. She then begins her “sourcing” phase, which involves:

  • Deep-dive research into etymology, mythology, and history.
  • Scouring literature, art, and pop culture for inspiration.
  • Analyzing name databases with a critical eye for emerging trends and forgotten gems.
  • Ensuring names are vetted for unintended meanings in other languages or potential for teasing.

3. The Presentation of the “Name Dossier”

Clients do not receive a simple list. They receive a carefully curated and professionally presented dossier. This document includes:

  • A Primary Shortlist: Typically 3-5 top-tier name suggestions, each presented with a full rationale.
  • The Rationale: For each name, Humphrey provides a detailed paragraph explaining why it was chosen. This includes its meaning, origin, the “vibe” it carries, how it meets the client’s criteria, and how it flows with the surname.
  • A Supporting List: A longer list of 10-20 additional names that fit the brief, for further consideration.
  • Middle Name Pairings: Suggestions for middle names that complement the first-name choices.
  • The “Story”: She often weaves a narrative around the name, connecting it to the family’s interests or heritage, making the choice feel destined and deeply personal.

4. The Consultation Call

The package includes a dedicated video or phone call (typically 60-90 minutes) to discuss the dossier. During this call, she:

  • Presents her top choices and walks the clients through her thought process.
  • Answers questions and addresses concerns.
  • Helps mediate disagreements between partners by providing an objective, third-party perspective grounded in the agreed-upon creative brief.
  • Offers real-time brainstorming and refinement.

Why Do People Pay For This? The Value Proposition

To many, paying four figures for name ideas seems absurd. However, her business thrives because she addresses several real pain points:

  1. Decision Paralysis: There are thousands of potential names. Couples can become overwhelmed. Humphrey acts as a filter, doing the heavy lifting to present only the most relevant, vetted options.
  2. Conflict Resolution: Disagreeing on a name is a common relationship stressor. As a neutral third party, she can bridge stylistic gaps and find compromises that satisfy both partners.
  3. The “Branding” of a Child: In an increasingly competitive and digital world, some parents view a name as the first and most important piece of their child’s identity. They see it as an investment in the child’s future, akin to a private school education.
  4. Time is Money: Her clients are often high-net-worth individuals whose time is valuable. Outsourcing hours of research and debate is a logical efficiency for them.
  5. The Desire for Uniqueness and Meaning: She specializes in finding names that are not just beautiful but have a layered, personal story behind them, moving beyond the top 100 lists.

Public Reaction and Criticism

Taylor Humphrey’s business model has garnered significant media attention (from The New York Times, Today Show, etc.) and sparked intense debate online.

  • Criticism: The most common criticism is that the service is the epitome of modern-day elitism and a solution to a “first-world problem.” Detractors argue that naming a child is an intimate, personal decision that should not be outsourced, and that the high cost makes it accessible only to the wealthy.
  • Support: Supporters and clients argue that people pay interior designers, wedding planners, and financial advisors for their expertise. They see name consulting as a legitimate specialization that provides tangible value, reduces stress, and delivers a result (a child’s name) that lasts a lifetime.

The Broader Trend: The Professionalization of Parenthood

Taylor A. Humphrey is not an isolated case. She is a prominent example of a broader trend: the “professionalization” of parenting. This includes:

  • Baby Sleep Consultants
  • Lactation Consultants
  • Potty-Training Specialists
  • Childproofing Experts

In an age of information overload and high parental anxiety, turning to a certified “expert” provides a sense of security and a clear path forward. Humphrey has simply applied this model to one of the earliest and most weighty decisions parents make.

Final Thought

Taylor A. Humphrey’s business is far more than selling baby names. She is selling a curated, conflict-free, and meaningful experience. She provides a service that combines the skills of a researcher, a therapist, a storyteller, and a brand manager. While her fees place her services in the luxury category, her success demonstrates a market of parents who see value in expert guidance for crafting the foundational piece of their child’s identity, viewing it not as an expense, but as a profound and worthwhile investment.