BABY NAMES - STOP AND THINK BEFORE NAMING

Naming your baby can be one of the easiest or hardest decisions in life!! However, giving your baby his name is one of the most important jobs any parent can do. Sometimes you just 'know' what name you are going to use. Other times you make lists and lists, pin them up on the fridge, and you still can't decide.

Do you choose:

• a family name,
• a traditional name,
• a modern name,
• an unusual name,
• or just something you like - it's got to be right!

First things first, if your mom does not like the name you have picked - it doesn't matter, he or she is your baby. The same applies to names that family members insist you use - again it is your baby, your decision.

Rare and unique names

Is a name so unusual or so old fashioned the child will get teased? OK, so you might not choose Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii (honestly that is a real name given to a child), but to be the only child in the school or neighbourhood with that name can make them stand out. This can be a good thing too, sometimes to be a little different is fine. Sometimes an unusual name is grinding though, do you want them to have to spell their name out all the time to ensure correct spelling. If you get their older brother or sister too involved in choosing the name you could be heading for disaster!

Common names

If your child has the same name as six other kids in their class, it is likely they will be known by something else, (not of your choosing) their initials or my least favourite their first name and last initial. John B, John F, or John K - just to establish who they are.

Sometimes there is a long tradition of a particular name in your family. We thought the name we chose was reasonably unusual in the family, but researching the family tree a little revealed lots of them. This pleased us as our son now had a family name, not just one we liked.

You may be under pressure to pick a family name, which may not suit, but you could pick it as a middle name and pacify many people. Take care though, just because there are lots of Wilfred's in your family, your Dad is called Wilfred and you like the name, doesn't mean it is kind to name a baby in this day and age Wilfred. Your child will have to bare the brunt if you decide to give him a name that went out of fashion long ago.

Names that remind you of someone

Some names conjure bad memories or remind you of people you dislike. You don't want to be reminded of them every time you call out for your child. Equally, your partner may not be comfortable giving your child the same name as your ex, even if it is a great name.

Trendy names:

Are you choosing a name that is trendy now, but will be just strange five years from now? Remember your child will have the name for their whole life, if they want to be a lawyer or a Doctor, do they really want to be called Elvis? People do make assumptions about people just from their name. Do you want your daughter's CV for a solicitors office to get put to the back of the pile because she is called Hartlepool?

Rhyming names

In the school playground kids can be cruel. Be aware of names that rhyme with another word Plain Jane, Charlotte the Harlot, Bendy Wendy.

Names that make sentences

What about names that make phrases when put together with your surname. I have actually known a Gordon Bennett, and a Rob Banks. What about Dylan Thomas, or, well the list goes on.

How easily spoken is the name, does the first name fit with the second? Names can sound different in your head to when spoken out loud - Daisy Maisie sounds silly, but Daisy Leigh, or Maisie Olivia sound nice. Are you thinking of spelling a name unusually? Amy, Amie, or Aimee might go through life spelling her name to people.

Will your baby's initials spell out something you'd rather not have? e.g. Edward George Green = EGG.

What does the name actually mean? Would you rather your son's name meant Warrior or Little Sheep?

There are lots of books that detail name meanings. Online Mum's ebook of baby names and their meanings can be downloaded free.

Agree on the name together

If you are having a child as part of a couple - remember both of you have to agree on a name - if either of you wants to drop a name - then do. There are plenty of other names. You would not want them to insist on a name you don't like - so don't do the same to them.

Write it down.

Making lists of potential names is a good idea, and remember you don't have to make a decision until after your baby is born. Our son was called Daniel right through the pregnancy, 10 minutes after he was born we looked at him and we knew what his name was - and it wasn't Daniel.

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