How to name twins

Shared generation character: one character in common, with the other distinguishing their personalities. Contrasting form: similar imagery or structure, such as mountains and rivers, the sun and the moon, pines and cypresses. Shared temperament: no character in common, but the same cultural imagery throughout.

Settle how the names relate first, and then look at each child's own BaZi and favourable elements, so that tidiness does not cost one of them what they need.

There is no single right answer on how the two should relate. Some families prefer a shared character, some prefer contrast, some only want the same imagery throughout. Agreeing on the preference first makes choosing the characters far more efficient.

You do not have to force a gender difference into the names, but if you use the same set of characters, it is better if they suit either gender, or if each carries a gender character without feeling forced.

Also think ahead to the day the two of you use the names separately: on registration documents, and between the baby nickname and the school name. Do not tie them together so tightly that they cannot stand apart.

A baby nickname can be very affectionate, while the school name should be more complete. If the nickname and the school name are too far apart in style, things get muddled at school and at the registry, so it is worth working out how they correspond in advance.

Twins are not necessarily born in the same hour, and their BaZi may differ, so you cannot assume the same favourable elements.

Even when they share a character, check the five grids, the sound and how each name feels on its own separately.

If the two charts differ, their favourable directions may differ too. A shared character is fine, but symmetry must not make you ignore the temperament each child's own chart actually needs.

The two names can share their imagery, but they should not differ by a single character, sit too close in sound, or copy each other's structure exactly — otherwise calling them, checking documents and school scenes all become confusing.

The better approach is to make the names like a set of works: from the same source, answering each other, with each name carrying a complete character on its own.

A teacher calling the roll, classmates telling them apart, parents calling out in the street — all of these happen constantly. Names that are too similar are charming for a while and a source of miscalling for years.

Twins' names get shown side by side, but in life they are used separately far more often. Each name has to hold up to being introduced on its own, signed, called out and put on a document.

If the pair looks lovely together but one of them sounds weak, is hard to say or carries an incomplete meaning, it needs another pass.

Ask about each one separately: is the name complete when you introduce yourself with it? Is it comfortable to sign? Once both pass, look at the pair.

List a batch of candidates for each child, screen each down to two or three on its own, and only then put them together to look at the echo between them — rather than fixing a pair on the spot.

Once the names are settled, read each of them with the surname, and read them together, checking the homophones, how common the names are and how distinguishable they are on documents.

The best pair of twin names is not the most similar one, but the pair where each stands well on its own and yet comes together naturally as a set.

If the older generation cares a great deal about symmetry, keep the bottom line: symmetry must not come at the cost of how comfortably each name works on its own.

After settling, you can also ask separately: which name is more complete on its own, which is more comfortable to sign — and only confirm once both pass.