Naming your baby is an exhilarating yet daunting task. By the time you discover you’re expecting, you might already have a comprehensive list of girls’ names, boys’ names, and gender-neutral names only discover that your partner has the same, and none of your names match. Making matters even more difficult is that grannies and grandads no doubt want to be included in the decision, while trends of the day may make some names more or less desirable. In short, naming a baby can be a minefield of expectation and choice.
Some parents commence the naming process afresh with each child, and a few even defer the decision until the baby arrives. The wellspring of naming inspiration varies from one parent to another. With so much to consider and share, naming a baby can become one of the more daunting aspects of birth. But, fear not, as it needn’t be a stressful ordeal; it can actually be a delightful one. Here, we offer some important factors to consider when selecting a name for your baby:
Family Names
Let’s say your father’s name is Earl and your mother’s is Sue. Maybe those aren’t your first choices for your cherished newborn. That’s perfectly fine; delve a bit deeper. Explore some unique names within your family tree. What was your great-great-great grandmother’s name? Or that beloved aunt’s maiden name? The key is that whether the name is unique or not, it holds significance and meaning. Family names pay tribute to someone without whom neither you nor your baby would exist.
Religion and Literature
This aspect makes more sense if you’re religious. However, even if you aren’t religious, religious literature abounds with stories of saints and sages, offering inspiring narratives and fitting names to accompany them.
If religious literature isn’t your cup of tea, there are countless inspirational characters in various genres, from fantasy to Jane Austen novels. Just ensure you delve into the story; while names like Gatsby or Cressida may sound cool, their stories may not be the most uplifting.
Family Origin or Culture
Selecting an ethnic, traditional or regional name can be a wonderful way to acknowledge and celebrate your family’s heritage.
A Favourite Place
I’m not suggesting you name your baby Margate Beach or Tiger Tiger, but a place with special meaning can be a unique choice with a compelling story attached. While you don’t have to use the whole, real place name, a name that’s similar enough can be a meaningful way to preserve cherished memories.
Meaning
Begin by considering what you want your child’s name to convey, and then search for names that align with that meaning. Conversely, make sure you look up a name’s meaning in case the opposite is true. Not all names have beautiful meanings as one parent found out.
“I learned that Marijka meant ‘bitter’ and crossed that name off our list,” one mom says. Another mom explains, “The first name I liked meant someone that grows beans. Not quite what I was looking for.”
Beware the Nickname Trap
Choosing your baby’s first name often involves contemplating how it pairs with the last name. However, don’t forget to assess how potential nicknames resonate with the last name as well. One BabyCenter dad-to-be advises, “Our preferred name was Benjamin, but the shortened form, Ben, combined with our surname, Ito, resembles Benito. Not ideal.”
Of course, you needn’t let this factor deter you, especially if you’re not a fan of nicknames. Just proceed with awareness. While names like Theodore Stead and Charles Puck exude respectability and dignity, Ted Stead and Chuck Puck, well, not so much.
Watch Out for Embarrassing Initials
Alison Sarah Smith sounds perfectly charming until you notice her initials. The same goes for Samuel Andrew Davis. Whether you allow initials to influence your name choice is a personal decision. However, by checking them in advance, you can prevent any unpleasant surprises later on. “I thought I had a solid name until I realised that the initials spelt I.L.L.,” shared one BabyCenter mom-to-be. “Back to the drawing board.”
And don’t overlook monograms, where the last initial is sandwiched between the first and middle initials. “I didn’t consider monograms when naming my daughter,” another mom reveals. “Regrettably, her monogram is LSD. She’s 11 now, and all her friends have monogrammed items, but I can’t bring myself to put LSD on her school bag or sweatshirt.”
Lifelong Corrections: A Potential Hurdle
“Sigh. I suppose it’s time to accept it. My daughter, Isla (pronounced ‘eye-la’), will forever be correcting the spelling and pronunciation of her name and resenting us for it,” acknowledges popular BabyCenter blogger Betsy Shaw.
Whether this truly qualifies as a naming pitfall is a subject of debate. Many beautiful and exotic names are prone to mispronunciation.
If it’s crucial to you that your child has a name that’s easy to pronounce and spell, and you’re leaning towards an uncommon name, consider posting it in our baby names discussion group to gauge how others pronounce it. If several people pronounce it differently than you prefer, consider whether you or your child will find it burdensome to correct people.
On the flip side, you might favour a name that’s not so straightforward!
Guard Against Overpopularity
Curious about the popularity of your preferred name? Thanks to the Internet, the answer is right at your fingertips. In a survey of over 4,000 parents and parents-to-be about their naming process, 8 percent of respondents changed their minds after searching their name choices online. Overpopularity was a common reason for this switch.
“Our first choice turned out to be the most popular name in the latest census,” reveals one mom. Another explains, “I didn’t want names in or near the top ten, so we eliminated names from our list that turned out to be super popular.”
Yet another survey participant discovered that her favourite name had recently been given to a celebrity’s baby. Anticipating a surge in popularity, she discarded the name.
One simple way to gauge your top choice’s popularity is to look it up in a Baby Names Finder. You’ll see the name’s current rank and how it has trended over the past decade, which makes the choice simple
Name Pairings That Don’t Mesh
If your soon-to-arrive baby has older siblings, try this exercise: say your baby’s potential name along with your other children’s names, like, “Tsitsi and Sandy, time for bed!” If it sounds harmonious, great. If not, well… it’s something worth pondering. You’ll be saying their names together quite often.
“I made the mistake of naming my daughter Ella,” one mom shares. “On its own, it’s a beautiful name. However, her older brother’s name is Sam. When you say their names together, Sam and Ella, it sounds like a foodborne illness. ‘Salmonella, lunch is ready!'”
Beware of Humiliating Email Addresses
It’s hard to imagine, but one day, your adorable bundle will need to acquire an email address. When he or she enters the workforce or heads to college, they might end up saddled with an embarrassing email handle. Many workplaces and institutions employ a standard formula, often the first initial and last name, to assign email addresses. Consider what happens to Stephen Lavery under this formula or Samual Lutz for that matter.
Names Notorious Figures Share
What if you discovered that your 5-year-old shares both their first and last name with a notorious mafioso or cult leader? To avoid such a fate, it’s time to employ your favourite search engine. Enter the full name you’re contemplating and see what results come up.
While a name doesn’t guarantee the inheritance of a specific value or trait, it can serve as a poignant reminder to your child of what truly matters to your family. Ultimately, a child’s name should encompass more than just an appealing sound; it should encapsulate significance and depth.
Whichever way you go, you will find that by the time the child is a few years old it will become hard to imagine them with any other name. Enjoy the process and try not to let it keep you up – there’s so much more to do.
