A good name is like a great pair of pants: It fits perfectly. It flatters your personality and style, and makes you feel confident in every situation.
Unfortunately, choosing a baby’s name isn’t always easy. Marital bickering and family drama are common occurrences, and not everyone will agree with your choice.
1. Know Yourself
Choosing a name for your baby can be stressful, and that’s not just because of the expectations placed on new parents. Family members can be pushy and find ways to sway your opinion, and friends aren’t shy about sharing their own opinions either.
To avoid these pitfalls, take some time to analyze your options and make sure you’re happy with the choices you’re making. Start by making a list and then narrowing it down. Remember that you should consider the gender of your child and any unisex names that may appeal to you as well. You should also think about nicknames and how they’ll work with your last name. Also, don’t forget to consider your child’s initials and what they might spell out (Alyssa Sydney Scott or Fiona Mary Lawrence, for instance).
Another important thing to think about is whether or not your choice will stand the test of time. Trendy names that sound oh-so-original when you’re in your third trimester have a way of going out of style by the time your little one is in kindergarten. Also, steer clear of offensive names and any names with a weird spelling twist or pop-culture references.
2. Know Your Baby
Choosing a baby name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. But it can also be an emotional process. After all, you’ll be using this name for a lifetime. That’s why it’s important to take your time and consider all of the options.
A good way to do this is by observing your child. Watch for times when they’re calmest or happiest. For example, a baby is likely to be at their calmest right after a feeding or when they wake up from their mid-morning nap. Those are great times to try out your names.
Another way to help your baby learn their name is by using it regularly. Say it to them often in a loving manner, like “Hey there, sweetie, would you like a bottle?” or “It’s time to change your diaper, Sammy.”
Many families use nicknames during pregnancy in order to decide on their baby’s official name later on. You may also choose to honor a deceased family member by selecting a name that corresponds to their personality or legacy. A backstory behind a name can inspire your child to emulate the positive qualities of their namesake.
3. Know Your Family
The baby naming process can be stressful for many parents because there are a lot of opinions to consider. It’s also a big responsibility because your child will carry that name with them for their entire lives. This is why it’s important to consider the parameters that your family and your sphere of influence will place on your name choices.
For example, if your family is religious, you may want to choose a name that has a spiritual meaning. Likewise, some families like to use their surname as a middle or first name. Using names that are a part of your family’s history can be an excellent way to honor them and start a new tradition.
You may also want to think about how the initials of your baby’s name sound together. You don’t want to unintentionally spell out swear words or give your child the same initials as a serial killer.
Additionally, you’ll also want to consider any names that could be shortened into nicknames. These may come in handy for your little one or might be bestowed on them by their friends and family members. Considering this can help you narrow down your options so you’re happy with your final decision.
4. Know Your Culture
It’s important to know your culture when choosing a name for your baby. Some cultures may have specific rules regarding naming and what is appropriate. For example, some cultures may have a naming ceremony that is held at home or in a house of worship and attended by religious leaders and family members. These ceremonies often include the giving of a spiritual name to the child that is not the same as the name that appears on the birth certificate. Learn more about haitian names for boys at the link attached here!
Also, some names might not fit your family’s tradition or could be considered offensive. This is something to consider, especially if your family’s name is already quite traditional or popular.
It’s also important to think about how your chosen name might sound when combined with other words. For example, it’s not a good idea to choose a name that rhymes with a word like snake or poop. Additionally, you should also consider how your child’s initials will look. It would be pretty embarrassing if you named your baby Alyssa Sydney Scott and she ends up having initials that spell out the word shit. Make sure to run a google search on all potential nicknames and spellings before making your final decision.
5. Know Your Geography
If your ideal name is linked to a celebrity, a local sports team or star in a popular prestige TV series, it’s worth considering how that will play out geographically. After all, the world is a pretty big place and you want to make sure your child’s name will be easy to Google and understood.
Likewise, consider the laws and language of your state. For example, California has stringent naming laws and will only allow names that are spelled using English letters and their diacritical marks. While this isn’t a deal breaker, it’s something to bear in mind if you have a name in mind that may require an accent mark or special characters. A quick web search will help you decide whether this is a concern or not.
6. Know Your Budget
Choosing your baby’s name is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a parent. It has a lifelong impact on your child and will likely be with them forever. That’s why it’s so important to choose a name that makes you happy!
A lot of families get advice on names from their friends and family. They may have good reasons why they like a certain name, but it’s up to you and your partner to decide what feels right. You can ask your loved ones for a list of boy and girl names they like to narrow your options or you could even host an online baby naming poll on social media.
When deciding on a name, consider how it will be pronounced and the meaning behind it. Also, don’t forget to consider what their nicknames will be! It would be a shame to give your little one a unique name that is abbreviated to something completely different than they expected. You don’t want to be the mom who accidentally spells her daughter’s name as a swear word!
7. Know Your Style
Choosing your baby’s name can be an interesting and fun experience. However, it is also a very serious responsibility. Your baby’s name will follow them throughout their whole life, so it is important to choose a name that you will be happy with for the rest of your life.
If you are a unique-minded person, a creative name may appeal to you. This can be a great way to show your individuality and to let others know that they are dealing with a special soul.
However, be careful that you don’t choose a very unique name that can cause your child to struggle in school. It can be difficult to spell, pronounce and explain to teachers and classmates.
If you have difficulty navigating the world of baby names, it is a good idea to work with a professional naming consultant. Like a real estate agent or interior designer, a naming consultant can help you navigate the sea of options and find a name that will stand out in the crowd. They can also help you navigate naming challenges such as a speech impediment, family dynamics or religion. A naming consultant will guide you to choices that meet your criteria while steering clear of styles that don’t interest you and leading you to options you might have overlooked.
