Choosing a Baby Name

When a baby is “on board”, there is a lot that goes into preparing for the newest member of the family, including the picking of the baby name. This task can be both fun and daunting as friends and loved ones all give their two-cents. As you wade through the seemingly endless sea of possibilities, there are a few factors to consider as you hunt for your favorite name.

1. Current Trends: Many of us want to give our child a name that is both familiar and unique, and so we try to find new inspiration. Unfortunately, lots of parents find ideas in many of the same things like celebrities, pop culture and more. Therefore, be aware of the current trends so you can anticipate what your child’s third grade class will look like. Right now, parents are loving the idea of naming their children after locations; Reese Witherspoon named her child Tennessee, Ashlee Simpson named her son Bronx, Ethan Hawke named his daughter Indiana, Chris Hemsworth named his daughter India . . . the list goes on and on. Another popular trend right now is to bestow monikers with Scandinavian and Roman influences, as these provide “just the right amount” of exoticism without deviating too far from the easily-recognized. So, be aware that if you name your baby daughter Octavia as a way of differentiating her from her peers, she may just end up in a classroom full of Brooklyns, Viggos and Caesars.
2. Cruel Nicknames: Being a child and teenage is hard enough without a horrible nickname, so make sure that you aren’t giving bullies potential material. For instance, while you believe that Harry is a lovely name, you may want to rethink it if your last name is Pecker. Be aware of what the initials spell out, what bad phrases may be all-too-easily rhymed with the name. And never underestimate the creativity of children!
3. How the name will age: Certain names have certain ages associated with them – some are regarded as uptight and appropriate for older individuals, while others are overly adorable and may make being taken seriously a bit more challenging. Therefore, try to find a name that will “age well”. To be safe, consider whether your choice has numerous nicknames that your child can call upon when appropriate. For instance, Victoria; as a child she may want to be called Vicky, as she matures she might prefer Tori and revert back to Victoria when being interviewed by potential employers.
4. Reflect upon what inspires you: With there being a world of options at your fingertips, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the responsibility of settling on a name. Therefore, consider what has l meaning to you. Perhaps you want to use the name as a way to celebrate your cultural heritage, pay homage to a personal hero, honor Mother Nature or instill the characteristics of your favorite fictional hero. Say the name over and over again, and write it down so you can see what it looks like spelled out. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, just remind yourself that there is no such thing as the “right” or “wrong” name, and that your new baby is going to be wonderful regardless.

What are your thoughts on choosing a baby name?

Brian

Brian is the founder of Kids Ain’t Cheap and is now sharing his journey through parenthood.

 
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