After you realize that you are expecting, the “to-do” list suddenly seems to grow by leaps and bounds. Your free time is often spent shopping for maternity clothes, choosing a theme for the nursery, getting daily care items, car seat(s), blankets, and more. As you prepare, you are frequently asked a few common questions: “When are you due?” ,“Is it a boy or girl?” and “What are you going to name the baby?” This last question can be one that requires the most thought. If your family has a name that has been passed down from generation to generation, then you may already know what you are naming your baby. However, if this is not the case, or if you want to break away from tradition (“No, I will not name him ‘Horace the 8th’!”), then you face the challenge of finding the perfect name for your soon-to-arrive bundle of joy.
First, decide if you want a traditional, popular, or unique name. Religious and historically popular names are very trendy, but before you decide on the name “Cain” or “Marie Antoinette,” you may want to brush up on your cultural references and reconsider. You can check out the Social Security Administration’s website to see what names are popular based on decade. If you want to create your own name, try your best to make sure it is “bully-proof.” Look out for rhymes, hidden words and how the name links with your surname. Pay attention to the initials: Denise Alice Marsh, for example, will likely receive some unwanted comments. Note how the name might be shortened. Long first names typically sound good when paired with short surnames and vice versa. Make a list of names you love, and be sure to include any family member’s names that you wish to honor, but try not to “punish” your future child by bestowing them with a particularly horrid ancestral name, unless you have an immediate nickname picked out!
As you consider names, ask whether the name ages well. For instance, “Starshine” might be cute when they are young, but consider that moniker for an adult or senior citizen. Spelling is a major factor, and since we live in a society with culturally accepted pronunciations, don’t be upset if you name your child “Tammus” and it’s pronounced “Tay-mus” instead of “Thomas”. You know the kind of names of which I speak; the kind that trip up every new teacher or graduation announcer! Switch around the first and middle names to see if one way sounds or looks better than another way, such as Mary Rose from Rose Mary. It is ill advised for parents to go to the hospital with just one name picked out because you may change your mind after the baby is born. Lastly, don’t feel pressured to tell others the child’s name before it’s born; if you really like the name, and you would rather not have your joy hindered by other’s sour opinions, keep the name private. This will delightfully add to the surprise surrounding the birth for everyone involved!