January 24th, 2010
When trying to decide on a name for their new baby, many parents find themselves overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. However, there are many strategies that can be used to make this important decision as stress-free as possible.
Meanings
Firstly, it is helpful to have a general idea of what kind of qualities you are looking for. Some parents feel that their baby’s name should have some sort of meaning behind it. Names can have many meanings and large amounts of history behind them. If a parent wishes their child to have a biblical or historical name, there are many books and websites purely devoted to these topics. There is also the option of choosing a heavily symbolic name. In ancient times, it was tradition to name a child after something that had qualities the parents wished their child to “absorb”. Modern examples include Lance (strong, very masculine, and assertive) and Rose (gentle, very feminine, and beautiful).
Flow
No matter what kind of name you choose to pursue, most parents insist that it has to have a certain “flow” with their surname. It may be beneficial for you to take into consideration how many syllables you wish the child’s name to have. Longer surnames tend to roll off the tongue easier when preceded by a short first name. The same can be said for the opposite. Also, some people find that rhyming first and last names tend to be a little less appealing.
The Effects
Finally, too many mothers and fathers worry about the impact their child’s name will have on their social life. Yes, it is true that their name will be the first determining factor for others to judge them by, but it is not the only factor. A little teasing is inevitable, especially in the earlier years. This should not hold you back from choosing a name that you find fitting.
Tags: child names, child naming, naming child
Posted in Picking a Baby Name | No Comments »
January 22nd, 2010
A baby’s name is often their first presentation to the world. This is how they will make a first impression when their resume is read, when roll call is shouted out to a classroom, how others will create an impression based upon the birthday invitation. How can you pick the right baby name? Or, given the number of choices, how can you avoid the wrong one?
1. Do not select names based upon funny combinations of initials. If you find it funny now, the odds are that your child will not. Even if the entire family likes the hilarity or irony, you have created an instant route for this child to be ridiculed.
2. Do not automatically name a child for someone who has died, whether they are a friend or family member. When we name a child for someone, we often subconsciously lay the expectations of that lost person onto the child.
3. Avoid overly unique names unless they are existing nouns. Extremely unique names sound neat but saddle a child with the constant need to spell and explain them. Using nouns like “Sky”, ”Flint” and other common words are distinguishing without creating confusion on spelling and pronunciation.
4. When naming a child, stand outside and practice yelling it out to a backyard. If it sounds bad at that time, do not use it.
5. Only use common and top 20 baby names if you like the name. Never name your child something because it is popular. After all, they have to live with the name far longer than the fad will list.
6. If selecting a baby name that has a common nick name, consider naming your child the nickname. For example, instead of selecting the baby name Abigail as the legal name and calling her “Abby”, make her legal name “Abby”. It is simpler for the child to have the name they are called and is different. That is, of course, not to be done if the common nick name is not one you like. If you abhor the nickname, consider a different name instead.
Tags: child, naming your child, not naming child
Posted in Picking a Baby Name | No Comments »
January 18th, 2010
Deciding on just one name for your baby can be a difficult process, especially when it involves consensus between you and the baby’s other parent or other important persons in the baby’s life. There are a few things you can do to make this adventure a little easier and ensure you choose a name that makes you happy.
Make A List
Start by writing down any and all names you would like to consider. Don’t worry about filtering at this point. There will be plenty of time for editing later. At this stage you just want to compile a list of all your options. You can take suggestions from friends and family, make note of names that stand out to you such as those of actors, literary characters, kids you meet, etc. You can page through a book of names if you need more ideas, but many will come to you as you are going about your life.
Live With It
Review your list and narrow it down to several that you and any other decision-maker are seriously considering. Choose only the ones that you are really drawn to. Eliminate any names you definitely will not use and any about which you feel ambivalent. At this point, start trying the names out to see how they feel. Write them down, say them out loud, do some research to see how popular or unique the name is, share them with friends for feedback, think about how it will feel to use this name for years to come.
The Final Cut
In making the final decision, keep a few things in mind. This is your decision, not your mom’s, best friend’s, or in-laws’. You have politely considered their advice, but your baby’s name should be something you feel good about regardless of others’ opinions. It needs to be a name you will still love even if it ends up that 5 other kids in your child’s kindergarten class have the same name. You do want to consider whether a name may cause unnecessary teasing or result in less than ideal initials. You might want to reserve your final decision until the baby is born. Some people find once they meet their child they know whether a name fits them or not.
Try to have fun with this process and if you are really unsure, you could always wait a couple years and let your baby choose his/her own name!
Tags: baby name, best name, Picking a Baby Name
Posted in Picking a Baby Name | No Comments »
January 15th, 2010
Naming your baby is one of the very first ways you can set your child up for success, or it can be one of the very first discussions your child has with his or her future therapist. It’s a fine line to walk, if your name is too inventive or too improbably spelled, your child has a long life of playground taunting and bumbling mispronunciations ahead. On the other hand, if your name is too common, your child may wind up being the ninth Madison in her sixth-grade class. Here are two practical tips to help you nail the name game.
Don’t Follow Celebrity Trends
Just because someone in US Weekly thought it was a great idea to name her kid after her favorite shoe brand, doesn’t mean it will fly in the suburbs. Names say a lot about a family’s cultural background and socioeconomic status. You are better off fitting a name to your actual experiences, not your future financial or social aspirations, or else everyone around you will immediately spot the wannabe in their midst. In other words, when you name your child Chanel, you will be substantially reducing her chances for ever affording Chanel in the future. Creative spelling is usually also a questionable idea. There is a great Steve Martin movie from the early 90’s, L.A. Story, where Sarah Jessica Parker played a character named sAnDEe*! I’m pretty sure that name would give college admission staff everywhere a great laugh.
Middle Names Are Important Too
If you’re anything like most parents, you will use your child’s full name to warn him or her if they are treading on dangerous territory (as in “John Michael Joseph, get away from that hot stove!”). A frivolous middle name will lessen that warning’s impact and possibly reduce your public dignity. Can you imagine hollering at Jayne Applebee to stop pulling down all the stuffed animals in Target? On the other hand, a family name or a slightly unusual name can be great for a middle name, there will be no question about which Amy Hazel should get out of the pool when it’s time to leave.
Following these two common-sense tips will allow you and your family to express your creativity and heritage without setting anyone up for lots of future trauma. Congratulations on your little bundle of joy!
Tags: advice, baby advice, baby names
Posted in Picking a Baby Name | No Comments »
January 13th, 2010
Let’s face it, drama stinks, and if you’re finding yourself caught in the middle of it, you’re going to find that you’re going to want to avoid it.
Be Frank About Your Expectations
If there is something specific you are looking for in a name, let your partner know early. For example, if your family has a tradition of using certain names, or you want your childrens’ names to start with the same letter or follow a certain pattern, you and your partner need to discuss that before you can even start thinking about specific names.
Look For Trends
Explore what kinds of names you and your partner respond to. If you discover that you both like classic names, or historical names, or modern names, you will have a great starting point for discussion. It will also help you both avoid the frustration that comes when you make a list of names you like, and find that your partner hates three quarters of them. If you know up front that your partner dislikes names with unusual spellings, but likes very feminine names like Sophia or Annabelle, when you are thinking about names on your own, you are more likely to come up with things that both of you will like.
Be Flexible
Try not to get your heart set on one particular name early, and be open to what your partner wants as well. Even if you have always dreamed of having a boy named Phineas, as you and your partner go through names, let yourself consider other names that you might grow to like as well or better than your dream name.
No-Questions-Asked Vetoes
As you and your partner are discussing names, make a clear decision that either of you can veto names for any reason, without having to defend yourself. Of course, you should keep in mind the previous rule and be flexible to considering names that you might not love at first, but neither of you should be forced to accept a name you dislike because of guilt or pressure.
Tags: baby name drama, baby names, drama
Posted in Picking a Baby Name | No Comments »
