Baby Names

Picking a baby name is one of the most important parts of becoming a parent. Your baby’s name will be with them for the rest of their life, and you have the special honor of choosing it. Regardless of how easy or difficult it is for you to select a baby name, it will most likely be one of the most important things you do! It is important to choose one that you feel will fit your baby and your family — and most importantly, one that will grow with your child into adulthood.

Do Your Homework

Expectant parents spend hours preparing the nursery, poring over pregnancy and baby books and going to childbirth classes. Many decide their child’s given name within a matter of minutes, often spending more time selecting the right car seat or stroller, while others spend the entire nine months agonizing over the decision. If you fall into the latter category, use any resource available to help you make this decision easier. Try not to make choosing a baby name a topic of tension or frustration with your significant other — be open to their suggestions as well. Have fun with it, and remember, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet — you’ll love your baby just as much whether his name is Tom, Dick, or Harry.

First, start with the experts. The choices today are staggering with more than 50,000 common names and spelling variations. Begin with some basic homework by buying a few baby name books or a baby name software program. Search your library for baby-name books, or ask to borrow one from a friend. You can also do research on websites that are devoted to naming your baby. Many of these will list baby names by popularity, language, meaning, etc. Some websites even offer customized search programs that will offer alternatives to traditional names or provide suggestions based on your personal style and personality. As soon as you get pregnant, start keeping a list of names that are in the running.

The Ima Hogg Curse

Whether inadvertently or deliberately, plenty of parents have wreaked their share of trauma on their innocent children when naming them. While you may think Paige Turner has a cute ring to it, your daughter may someday find it annoying. Try several different combinations of first and middle names, along with your baby’s last name to see how they sound. Write them down on paper, and check the initials for any strange or inappropriate results. Be sure to show it to another person who may see something you missed. Remember to consider nicknames, as you can count on children (and immature adults) to come up with nicknames that will make you cringe. “Cooper the Pooper” will probably not appreciate the reference, nor will you after spending months carefully selecting a name only to have it dragged through the you-know-what! This is the time to ask others for their opinion, so keep an open mind and have a little fun considering a wide range of names for your little one. At the same time, keep in mind that names often bring up a myriad of emotions, and sometimes parents can have very different reactions to their partner’s favorite choices. Your husband may not want to name his daughter after an ex-girlfriend, so be sensitive to his feelings, even if you really love the name.

Trendy Names

Trendy baby names that are popular with celebrities may be have a certain je ne sais quoi or flair, but there is always something to be said for simple, traditional names that have endured the test of time. For instance, Apple or Pilot might seem like a cool choice today, but consider how the name will age with your child. How will her name take her through elementary school, high school and into adulthood? The last thing you want to do as a parent is to create any additional hardships on your child by selecting a baby name that will go out of style as quickly as this season’s fashion.

Unique Spelling

Many parents want to choose a name for their child that is unique and reflects their personal taste. Unusual spellings or pronunciations may affect your child adversely, just because it is different. Remember that kids can sometimes be cruel and a highly unusual name could become fodder for playground teasing. Do you want to give your child a name that he or she may resent later? Additionally, when you choose to spell your child’s name differently than the traditional way, such as Raychel versus Rachel, you may set them up for a lifetime of correcting others’ spelling.

It’s a good idea to choose a name for both sexes — you never know when your doctor may have read the ultrasound wrong. Make a list of several favorites, and wait until the baby is born to make the final decision. Many parents have thrown out a carefully selected list because none of them seemed “right” once they laid eyes on their child for the first time.

Everyone seems to have an opinion when it comes to baby names, and family members can be especially outspoken. While it’s fun to hear suggestions, especially during the first part of your name search, keep in mind that ultimately your child’s name is your decision. It is impossible to make everyone happy. Naming your infant is one of the most important tasks you will ever undertake. A person’s name is truly a lifetime gift, and it helps define your child — within the family, to friends, at school and to the outside world. If you consider the options carefully and select one with love, you can’t go wrong.

About The Author

Nancy Wurtzel founded her ecommerce business, All About Baby, in 1995. All About Baby located online at www.allbaby.com specializes in personalized and memorable gifts for children as well as interesting and helpful child-related site content. Ms. Wurtzel consults with small businesses seeking to expand.

Visit Nancy’s website at www.allbaby.com.