How to Choose a Baby Name

Need to choose that special name? Do it with grace, and you will give your child a name to be proud of.

There are some steps which could help you to choose a good baby name.

Steps:

1. Remember that your child will have this name for their whole life, and is your first gift to your child, so make it something special.

2. Write lists of names you love, people you want to honor, names that have special meanings, etc. (both you and your partner should do this). Compare the lists - are there names you both love? Maybe your partner likes a name that you can't stand. Cross off the names you don't like and add names you do like to your list. These lists probably will change over time.

3. Make sure it's a name that you both love. Try saying your child's name over and over to see if you'll get tired of hearing it. As a parent, you'll be saying it a lot.

4. Will the Name Age Well?One very important factor is if the name will age gracefully. What fits a baby or young child may not fit an older individual. Can you see a grown up named Coco? Or as a senior citizen?

5. Make sure the name sounds good with your last name. You may want to avoid using a name whose last letter is the same as the first letter in your last name (i.e. George Johnson, Annabell Loor, Roger Rine).

6. Consider if you want a traditional, popular, or unique name. Consider carefully if you want your child's name to stand out or be conventional and classy, stand the test of time, or be flashy and make a statement.

7. Consider carefully 'ethnic names'. Unfortunately, a name that clearly marks an individual as part of a group that often meets with discrimination may make the child's life harder, such as finding a job. But it could help foster pride in that child's background. So pick carefully.

8. Consider carefully names inspired by your beliefs In many ways, this is a beautiful way to affirm your religious beliefs. Or your hopes for the child (Joy, Faith, Grace, etc.) But sometimes the child grows up and it does not suit them. He or she may convert, or may not embody his or her name name, (for instance, Grace might turn out to be rather clumsy!)

9. Decide ahead of time when you want to reveal the name. Some couples wait until the baby is born, while others tell their family, friends, and anyone who asks right away when the pregnancy is announced.

10. Think about how it might be shortened. Lots of people shorten their names, and you need to choose one that you like and will still sound good with your surname - e.g. the names Richard Wickes might sound OK, but what if he prefers to be called Rick?

11. Spelling Counts. Sometimes there are several variations on a name, and different spellings of the same name. A unique spelling may help your child stand out, but may make for headaches when it comes to correcting people and paperwork!

12. Consider if you really want the names of your children - particularly if they are the same sex - have the same initials. When they are older and a letter arrives for J. Smith, how will you know if it's for Josh, Jack, Joseph or Jordan? (Although many families do this and are happy with the results.)

13. Ignore the Rules! A safe, traditional, nice-sounding name is all well and good, and perhaps most desireable for most parents. But there's a lot of room for the unusual, unique, and offbeat, and the choice is yours.

Tips:

• If you are expecting multiples, see if the names sound good with each other, because you are going to say them a lot together. But at the same time, are they too similar? It may not help them develop separate identities. Twins Alexander and Alexandra are never going to forgive you!

• Also think about not naming all of your kids in a theme, such as Emerald, Ruby, and Opal or Forrest, Ocean, and River. (Although some families do this and like the results.)

• If you last name could the butt of many jokes (Hogg, Pigg, etc.), don't name your kids anything to accentuate that. Ima, Shesa and Youra is just cruel.

• Put your name through the "bully" test. Rhyme it with anything you can think of, look for hidden words in the name, etc. Have an elementary-aged or high school aged child help you if you can't think of anything. Kids are very quick to spot odd things about names and exploit them.

• Look at the initials to see if they spell something embarrassing. Andrew Samuel Sanderson won't be happy to share his middle name with anyone.

• Google your choice to make sure it hasn't been co-opted by strippers and porn stars.

• Check the Social Security Administration's website to see the popularity of the name.

• Short names go better with long last names and vice versa. A long name with a long surname will look and sound odd.

• How do all the names sound together? While they may sound good at first, that could change when you add a middle name.

• If you have first and last names picked out take your names and mix and match first and middle names. You may be very surprised at what you thought of as a first name may end up as a last name and vice versa.

• If you have a family tree, try browsing it for a list of names, or try talking to family members for more ideas. Grandma just might come up with a great one.

• Probably the best tip is don't go to the hospital with just one name. When the baby arrives your second choice may just end up being your first choice. Some names and babies just go together!

• Remember the child can always have a nickname, whatever is on the birth certificate.