Cute Babies

Choosing The Perfect Baby Name

Every baby is uniqueFor many expectant parents, choosing the perfect name for their baby is among the most difficult tasks they face. A name is something that stays with the baby throughout childhood and adulthood, so you want to make sure it is a good one. Factor in well-intentioned friends and relatives who happily express their opinions about what name to choose, and you can see why this process can be tough.

Here are some suggestions for finding and selecting a great name for your baby:

1. Decide between yourselves whether or not you will share with friends and relatives the names you are considering. Some people love to talk about potential names to solicit feedback, while others prefer to keep the deliberations to themselves to avoid potential conflict and discomfort along the way. The important thing is to decide on the process that’s right for you and then stick with it. If friends or relatives object, be polite but firm and be sure to support each other during these discussions.
2. Invest in a baby name book and search some of the many baby name sites on the internet. Make a list of all names you like or think you might like; don’t worry if it’s a long list, because you will reduce the number of names as you go through it time and time again. Some couples like to create this list together, while others like to create it separately and then see which names appear on both lists.
3. Consider how a potential name sounds when put together with your last name. Be careful about rhyming, and about choosing a name that starts with the same letter as the last name. Also think about how the name sounds when paired with the middle name, and how all three names sound when spoken together.
4. Check the initials created by the first, middle, and last name to be sure they don’t spell out something that could subject your child to teasing or ridicule down the road.
5. Think about how difficult the name is to spell. Many names can be spelled in several different ways, and if you choose an unusual spelling your child will spend his or her life having to provide people with the correct spelling. This is especially important if you have a last name that is also difficult to spell. In that case, consider selecting an easy to spell first name.
6. Brainstorm what nicknames might be created with each name. If any of them are inappropriate, or would subject your child to teasing and ridicule, think very carefully before using that name.
7. Family names can be a very powerful and emotional subject, especially when there is pressure from expectant grandparents to use a favorite name from one side of the family or the other. Many couples choose to use a family name for the middle name, a nice compromise that honors a family member while still allowing the couple to select a name they truly want for the first name.
8. If you have other children already, think about how the new name goes with the existing names. Some people like to have all of their children’s names begin with the same letter, while others don’t have a preference about this. Try to avoid selecting a name that sounds very similar to an older child’s name, in part to avoid confusion later on and in part to avoid creating resentment in that older child.
9. Start collecting names early, and don’t feel rushed into making a selection too quickly. Most couples find their thoughts and ideas evolve during the pregnancy months, so chances are you will consider many different names during that time. Don’t wait until the last minute to select a name, however, because if you are under too much time pressure you might not end up selecting the name you really think is best.
10. Finally, have fun with this process. Selecting your baby’s name is one of the first ways you will have impact and influence on your child’s life, so think about the message and meaning you want to convey. Perhaps you want a special name based in your heritage so your child will grow up identifying with your ancestry, or maybe you want a name that translates to a word or phrase you particularly like.