Choosing a name for your baby can be as important as picking your obstetrician and your baby’s pediatrician. After all, what is the first thing people want to know when they meet you? It’s your name! So putting some thought into your baby’s name is time well spent, and can be a lot of fun!
Here are 7 things to consider when deciding on potential baby names:
- Can others shorten the first name?
For example, if you name your child, Daniel, there is a chance that others will call him “Dan” or “Danny.” Even if you do not call your child this, his friends or adults may shorten it. You have to be prepared for this. If you do not like the potential shortened version, you may want to look at alternate names. Think of what others may potentially shorten your child’s name to, and decide if it is something that you can live with.
- Can the name you choose “grow” with your child?
For some parents, it is important that the name chosen be suitable for both a child and an adult. In other words, some names may sound cute when your child is a baby, but may later sound childish for an adult.
- Can others pronounce the name easily?
If you are making up a name or you are choosing an uncommon one, others may not know how to pronounce it. You can decrease this by ensuring you use phonetically correct spellings, but you have to understand that there will always be people who still do not pronounce the name correctly.
- Do you want to honor someone in your family?
Naming a child after a loved one can be very satisfying. You may choose to use or include your own surname, as it may be a way for that name to live on. You may also decide to name your child after your father, grandfather, godmother, or another special person.
- Does the name’s meaning matter to you?
Every name has a meaning and a history. You can easily look up names to find out what they mean.
- How many names do you want to provide your baby?
Some people have two first names. Others have three middle names, while others have none at all. There is no right answer. It is a chance to express your individuality, while still remembering that your child is the one who will be using it all his/her life. Also, remember that often only the first middle name is what will show up on important documents, so you may want to use your favorite one first.
- Is it important that your child’s gender is evident when reading the name?
Names like Emma, Victoria, and Jennifer are obviously female names. However, names like Jamie and Kelly can be male or female ones. Uncommon names can also make the gender more difficult to identify on paper.
In summary, choosing a name can be one of the most important first decisions you make for your child. There are so many things to consider, but it can be very fun and exciting to play with all the different name combinations.