When Choosing Your Baby's Name

Originally written - 07 October 2010 [as an email to a friend]

Choosing the right name is such unique challenge.

My suggestion would be to get a good baby name book, with tons of names/cultures/meanings/etc, and start a list (either you and your hubby separately or together) of what pops out at you.  Next, go through family and friends' names and any of their kids or relatives that you know, again write down the ones you like.  If it helps, for friends and family list, write down names you do NOT want to use. If there are any characters from books/movies/tv shows that stand out to you (you'd know/remember them), add them to your list.

Now you have 100+ names.

Start eliminating names.

Do you like the meaning?  Spelling?  What do the initials spell or mean?  [Do your older children have any input?]  You will find names that you like, but only for middle name or only for first names.  Play with the names to see what combinations you like.

What about nicknames?  Do these matter to you?  What nickname would you use?

Imagine your child, say some of the names you have chosen.  Does anything stick out to you?  What sounds or feels right?  Can you picture saying that name over and over and over again?  Sweetly?  Crossly?

Do you think the name(s) fit a:
Small baby?  Toddler?  Child?  Teenager? Adult? New parent? Older parent? Elderly adult? Teacher? Doctor? Scientist? Banker? Athlete? Construction worker? As a mom or dad? Whatever occupation you picture your child pursuing?

By now you should only have a small handful of names or only one.

My last advice would be to talk it over as a family and pray about it (if that's what you do); remember it's not final until you sign the birth certificate form.

Best wishes in your journey.  Your precious little one will be here before you know it.  One day you'll look back and wonder where the time went.

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Anything in the top 25 is a safe bet for off the shelf personalization of items [cups, pens, key chains].  Some things you have the option of whatever fits (think engraving or embroidery).  The social security baby name website may be useful.