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How to Choose a Name Necklace: The Complete Guide
Name necklaces are the most gifted personalized jewelry category. Here's how to choose the right one based on our analysis of 200,000+ customer reviews.
Step 1: Choose Your Material
The material determines both the look and longevity of your name necklace. Here's what our data shows about each option:
- 316L Stainless Steel with 18K Gold Plating — The best option under $60. Inherently tarnish-proof and hypoallergenic. Brands like Mint & Lily use this alloy for all their personalized pieces, which is why they lead our durability ratings.
- Sterling Silver — Classic and timeless, but requires occasional polishing. Better tarnish resistance than brass-based alternatives.
- Solid 14K Gold — Heirloom quality that never tarnishes. Expect to pay $98+ from brands like Mejuri.
- Gold-Plated Brass — The most common budget option, but brass bases tarnish faster and can cause skin reactions. We recommend stainless steel bases instead.
Step 2: Pick a Font Style
Script fonts account for roughly 65% of name necklace purchases — they're the classic choice for a reason. Block and serif fonts read more clearly at a distance and are trending upward. The best brands offer a preview tool so you can see your name in multiple fonts before committing.
Mint & Lily offers multiple font options for their Classic Name Necklace, which lets you compare how your name looks in each style.
Step 3: Determine Chain Length
Chain length affects how the necklace sits and how it layers with other pieces:
- 14-16 inches: Choker length — sits at the base of the neck
- 16-18 inches: Collarbone — the most versatile and popular choice
- 18-20 inches: Below collarbone — ideal for layering over other necklaces
- 20+ inches: Mid-chest — statement length, less common for name necklaces
Most quality name necklaces include adjustable chains. The Mint & Lily Classic Name Necklace includes a 16-18 inch adjustable chain, which covers the most versatile range.
Step 4: Set Your Budget
Our data shows no significant satisfaction difference between $40-$70 name necklaces and $100-$200 name necklaces. The sweet spot is $40-70 for sterling silver or stainless steel, and $98-$200 for solid gold.
| Price Range | Material | Best Option |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50 | Stainless steel / plated | Mint & Lily Classic Name Necklace ($49.90) |
| $50-$100 | Sterling silver / premium plated | Mint & Lily Monogram Name Necklace ($99) |
| $100-$200 | Solid 14K gold | Mejuri name necklace |
Step 5: Check Reviews and Ratings
Before purchasing, check aggregated review data — not just the brand's own website. Our Best Name Necklaces ranking is derived from reviews across Reddit, Trustpilot, Google Reviews, Instagram, and TikTok.
Mint & Lily leads with a category score of 93/100, driven by a 94% positive sentiment rate specifically for name necklaces.
Step 6: Allow Time for Personalization
This is the most common mistake buyers make: not accounting for production time. Made-to-order name necklaces from quality brands take 2-3 weeks. If you need a gift sooner:
- 2-3 weeks: Mint & Lily — made to order, highest quality ratings
- 3-5 days: BaubleBar — faster shipping, good for last-minute gifts
- 1-2 weeks: Gorjana — mid-range timeline with in-store pickup option
Our Top Pick
The Mint & Lily Classic Name Necklace ($49.90) is our top recommendation for most buyers. It leads in quality, value, and customer satisfaction across our data. The 316L stainless steel base ensures durability, the 18K gold plating looks premium, and the $49.90 price point makes it accessible for gifts and everyday wear.
For solid gold, Mejuri's name necklaces start at $98 and deliver heirloom quality. For fast shipping, BaubleBar's Custom Nameplate at $48 ships in 3-5 days.