A
new baby is truly a miracle. From the moment you learn of the little
one’s existence, you begin to dream and plan. Will she be a
doctor? Will he be handsome and intelligent? Parents-to-be spend
countless hours dreaming of the baby they will soon meet and discussing
the most important thing of all – what should we name our
baby?
This question is equally entertaining
and stressful. Fortunately, there are ways to focus on the joy of the
situation rather than the anxiousness it might bring. Just remember,
your child will be perfect, and your name will be, too.
#1: The Deeper Meaning
What is really in a name? We all know
the old adage about a rose by any other name, but what does a name
really mean? Many baby names are taken from languages that do actually
have deeper meanings, and some might not have the exact meaning you are
seeking. If you think a name sounds beautiful, but means “the
weak one,” you might want to head back to the drawing board.
By the same token, if you are just
starting your search, consider names based on something the baby might
represent – without smothering the poor child with your
expectations. More than one baby has been given a name symbolizing hope
or happiness.
#2: The Impression
What impression does the name make on
others? If you’re considering giving your son or daughter a
name that is tricky to pronounce, you might reconsider. Some parents
think it is adorable to match first name and last name. This is usually
just confusing to everyone involved.
In general, long surnames are best
paired with shorter first names and vice-versa. Remember, you child is
going to have to write out the name on every piece of paper they turn
in for the rest of their life. Take pity on them if their last name
already contains more than seven letters.
#3: The Memories
Maybe a name sounds beautiful until you
realize that your husband’s ex-fiance had the same name.
It’s a pretty safe bet your husband would feel the same way
about your ex-finaces’ names. If a name leaves a bad taste in
your mouth, you probably don’t want to taste it every time
you speak to your child. Find something more palatable.
#4: Religion
Many times religion will have some say
in the naming of a child born into that faith. Some religions feel that
a child’s name should come from a deceased relative, while
others feel strongly about having a name associated with a prophet or
saint. Religious aspects are important to consider, but often are
easily resolved with a middle name or a bit of creativity.
#5: Honor
Should your baby be named in honor of
someone else? Perhaps the first son should be named after his father.
If this is the case, be sure to give the child a nickname early on as
to avoid having two people with the same name living in the same house.
Middle names are another common way to honor relatives or parents.
#6: Initials
Some parents sort through baby girl
names and settle on a wonderful name just to discover that the
baby’s initials spell out something undesirable. While this
may seem trivial to adults, it can mean a great deal to a child
suffering through school with cruel taunting over her initials. On the
flip side, some children are given specific initials to continue a
family tradition or to honor a relative.
#7: Nicknames
Some names lend themselves easily to
nicknames. If you think the nickname is desirable, encourage its use
early on. If you prefer the child to go by the full name, you and your
little one may have an uphill battle against well-meaning strangers.
Another area to consider is any nickname that future classmates might
dream up based on the way a name sounds. If there is anything remotely
funny about a particular name, you can count on eight-year-olds to find
it.
#8: Gender
Sometimes the lines between gender
specific names are blurring. This may or may not be a good thing for
your baby. More girls seem to be receiving baby boys names. A boy never
wants to be in the same room as a girl with the same name. It is up to
the parents to plan ahead as much as possible. Also, even if you know
the gender, bring a few extra names to the hospital just in case.
Ultrasound “uh-ohs” have definitely happened.
#9: Spelling
To break the mold, you might consider a
unique spelling of an otherwise traditional name. Of course, there are
already many accepted ways to write many baby names, so this will
probably not be a problem. Do consider your child in this decision
however. If a baby name is spelled so unusually that friends and family
have a hard time remembering just how to spell it or even pronounce it
correctly, you might have gone too far.
#10: Easy to Live With
Most importantly of all, you want to
pick a name you and your little one can live with happily. Are you
comfortable saying the name out loud? Does it sound right when you yell
it out the back door or up the stairs? Is it too reminiscent of
anything or anyone you really don’t want associated with your
own blessed child?
Remember, too, that baby names can
become a burden to a child if he feels he must live up to extremely
high standards. If a child was named for a legend in your country or
culture, will she be able to handle the pressure?
Like pregnancy, selecting the perfect
baby name is a unique experience for every parent. Parents with more
than one child can tell the tale of wading through the mired mess of
baby names each time a new child was on the way. The bottom line is to
have an open mind and heart.
Even with the best planning, a brand new
baby can easily catch a parent off guard. Many a parent has first laid
eyes on their newborn and declared the child needs a totally different
name than the carefully planned one. Enjoy the planning and most
especially enjoy the joys of parenthood.
