Suggestions To Help You Choose A Baby Name
Can a child’s name really affect her personality, her ability to interact with others she will meet; and the way she will be seen by strangers? Yes, according to sociologists, teachers and other baby experts. So choosing a name for your baby is one of the most important tasks faced by new parents - no pressure then! Here are a few ideas to help you make that decision.
- Being different: So many parents these days want to give their baby a unique name, either by changing the spelling of a traditional name or inventing a completely new one. If you mess about with the spelling all that will happen is that in later life few people will spell your child’s name correctly - one friend of ours says the only ones to spell her name right are her mother and her husband.
- Made up names: Another way of giving baby a ‘unique’ name is to make one up. The problem is that many parents go overboard and choose really weird names for baby. Celebrities are renowned for this of course and, to some extent, their kids are insulated from the real world by wealth. Remember that your baby is going to grow into an adult and a cute name for a baby may not sound so good for a strapping six footer. We met twin babies recently called Porche and Mercedes! The cost of raising the twins will probably be similar to the cost of the cars, and maybe Daddy would have preferred the motors!
- Initials: Check to ensure that the initials of baby’s names, including the last name, do not make a word; or at least not an unfortunate word that will lead to your child’s embarrassment in later years.
- Puns: Most of us have heard the song ‘A Boy Named Sue’. Great song, bad idea. Some names are amusing when coupled with certain last names. I worked with a girl called Hazel Nutt, and knew a nurse called Rosie Bottom - readers in the UK will smile at the that, those across the pond should substitute ‘Butt’ for ‘Bottom’ to see the point. Both girls joined in the laughter each time someone new heard their names, or was the smile really a grimace?!
- Sound: General advice is if the last name is short, choose a long first name and vice versa. Also, if the last name starts with a vowel, avoid a first name that ends in a vowel; otherwise the names tend to run into one.
- Meanings of Names: Maybe you have compiled a short-list but can’t decide on names for baby? Try looking up the meanings of the names, it may help you to decide. You probably wish to give baby two names, so how about names that mean the same, or have opposite meanings. Kevin and Alan both mean ‘Handsome’; Lucy and Phoebe both mean ‘Light’, whereas ‘Melanie means ‘Dark’.
- Twins: Choosing names for one baby is hard enough, but twins! The suggestion in the last paragraph is useful here. Tasmin and Tammy both mean ‘Twins’; Patrick and Archie both mean ‘Noble’; Carl and Brian both mean ‘Strong’; Cheryl and Charity both mean ‘Dear’; and of course there are many names that are also the names of flowers.
The name you give your baby is a gift and perhaps the most important apart from life itself. So take time and care when choosing the name and make it one she will be proud of.
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