What is in a name? It’s a lot. Naming your baby can feel like the most challenging part of pregnancy (aside from actual labor). When naming your baby, think about what is important to you. Are you looking for something different, traditional, or somewhere in-between? We can’t help you choose your baby names, but we can offer some suggestions.
Does the name allow for growth?
While it is true that you are naming your baby, the name you choose must grow with him beyond toddlerhood. It may be a cute baby name, but can you imagine it as an adult?
That is how you can practice saying it loudly: How would this name look on a job application for a job?
What is the popularity of the name?
Have you ever heard someone calling out your name but not speaking to you in a crowd? If you pick a famous baby name, this could happen to your child. There is plenty of information available about the popularity of names. Check out the Social Security Administration’s ranking of your chosen name.
Do not get too obsessed with popularity. The impressive thing about existing naming movements for girls is that Abelia, the most popular Black Girl Name in 2021, was only given to 1%.
One last thought: Names are loved because they are popular.
Do You Want a Unique Name?
Some parents might choose a unique name for their baby, avoiding the popularity of others. It is good to consult the S.S.A. names list to see which name ranks highest.
This approach is best tried first. You can go to a coffee shop and tell the barista what name you prefer. What does it sound like when they call it? Was it misspelt? Did they spell it correctly?
It’s easy to determine if your child will have problems later in life if the name is too different. It’s okay to be unique, however.
Would you like to honor a family member?
Passing on the name of an inspirational family member is a great way to pay tribute to them! Was your Grandma Elizabeth, your famous someone rising? You can honor her legacy by giving your child her name.
Another way to make a family name is Inspiration. Name your baby Eliza or anything that begins with the letter “E”.
Do you like the possible Nicknames?
Do you love Maddie but not the name Madeline? A maybe something you might consider. You can guide your friends and family to use her full name, but her most obvious nickname will likely be used at some point in her life. If you don’t like the handle, just skip it.
Are You and Your Partner in Agreement?
It can be difficult enough to find a name that you love, let alone one you enjoy with your partner. When it comes to naming, you and your partner must agree on everything. You can compromise if you have trouble deciding. Dad names the first baby, and Mom names the second. Mom may choose the middle name, while Dad will name the third.
Would you like to be named the name you choose?
Try to imagine yourself in their shoes. Consider: Your little one will have a baby name for the rest of their lives. Would you choose the name that you chose?
Fears of Mispronouncing
Mom Rhalee Perry’s family is known for its unique baby names. Her mother Rhalee, a descendant of Rachel Perry’s great-grandmother Rhalee, created Rhalee (pronounced like Raleigh) in her memory.
Rhee states, “I would like to give our daughter an unusual, beautiful name that honours family members — Betty Elsie Marsha and Sarah — using parts of their names.” Her mother has made lists for her grandkids for many decades, and she already has several options, including Ballen, Bevan. Brooklyn. Ellen. Meadow. Millar. Show some. Solar. You thought your mom was excited to become a grandma.
What’s the trip-up? Yoav, her husband, has a Hebrew name that is frequently mispronounced in English (it is yo-AHV). He is worried that people will misspell their unique names. For Yoav’s family, the Perrys prefer a name that is easy to pronounce in Hebrew.
Here’s the advice:
The Perrys are not the only ones who want a unique baby name. Rosenkrantz states that many millennial parents were raised with famous names and felt this had taken away some of their individuality. Rosenkrantz warns against going too far
Parents’ pick:
Rhee states that “many of the baby names suggested by the pros are common in Hebrew” and was on her mom’s list.
The Perry’s were still undecided and pregnant when we reached out to them. Still, they had these finalists: Elenee (Even), Marais, Seelie, and Marais. Marais, a charming Parisian neighborhood, was their frontrunner. Yoav proposed to her in the City of Light.
It’s a boy! It’s a Boy!
Two weeks before my due date, an ultrasound revealed that he was a girl. Daniella was my choice because it would add an extra ‘la to everything!” GG Benitez, San Diego.
What is the lesson? The lesson?
Unsolicited Initials
is my husband’s father. After naming him, we realized that we had given our child the initials A.R.F. — Like a barking dog. Kendra Fleeger; Battle Ground, Indiana.
The lesson? Try all situations. Do you have strange nicknames? Unfortunate initials? Retry again.
Incorrect Spelling
The second I submitted the birth certificate form; I began to bawl. I suddenly realized that her name should contain one Z. We were confident of it!” Emily Reed, Phenix City (Alabama).
