Hundreds of babies are born every minute of every day and even though they are all very different, they also all have one thing in common – a name.
One of the most important jobs we do as a parent is to give our baby the perfect name. A name that not only suits them when they have squishy cheeks but one that will also suit them when they fulfill the high hopes we have for them.
But many parents find such an important decision to be the cause of enormous stress.
So if the question What should I name my child is keeping you up at night, don’t panic, our guide will set you on the right path.
What Makes Up A Name
Your child’s name is made up of either two or three key components, depending on whether you opt for a middle name.
Given Name
This is another term for your first name. It is not your family name but the name or names chosen for you at birth by your parents.
Surname
This is a person’s last name or family name. All members of a family share the same surname.
Legal Name
Your legal name will be the one that is listed on your birth certificate. It is used to identify you for any legal reasons and is used by other official channels.
Middle Name
This is the name given to you at birth, it comes after your given name and before your surname. Some people are known by their middle name rather than their given name.
What Can You Name Your Child?
The truth is that you can call your child almost anything you want, but you need to be mindful that it will be with them for the rest of their life. And what may seem cute when they are a tiny baby won’t be so cute when they are teenagers.
So where can you look for inspiration?
Family Tradition
Many families have traditions when it comes to naming babies. This may be the use of the same name passed down from one generation to the next. Or it may be choosing names that begin with a certain letter.
If you aren’t sure now may be the perfect time to have a chat with relatives or take a look at your family tree. You may find the name of a long lost relative that you fall in love with. Not only is it perfect for your new baby but it also provides them with a connection to their family.
Your Culture
Your family culture can also inspire your choice of baby name. And even if you no longer have connections with that culture you can still choose to honor it with your choice of baby name.
- Japanese
- Greek
- Native American
Memories
I know that there have been celebrities that have taken to naming their children some weird and bizarre names because of a fond memory they have. But you don’t have to go this far. You can still use a memory you have as a base for finding the perfect name for your child, without it becoming crazy.
- Favorite city.
- Country
- Favorite actor or character.
Nicknames
Even if you decide not to shorten your little one’s name there will definitely be someone in the course of their life that will. And if you don’t like the shortened version of their name you may want to reconsider your name choice. Even traditional names like Robert, Charles, and Richard all have diminutive forms like Bob, Chuck, and Dick.
Trends
Please don’t be the parent that follows the latest trend in baby names, I guarantee you will regret it. And if you don’t your baby definitely will. Your name choice should stand the test of time, so ask yourself ‘will this name sound ridiculous in 10 years time? Will other children ridicule yours because of their weird name?’ If it’s a yes then you need to rethink your name choice.
What To Be Careful of When Choosing A Name for Your Baby
Most parents opt to give their child a first name, a middle name, and a surname. When it comes to choosing those combinations of names there are a few things that you need to take into consideration.
Initials
The first and most important thing to consider is if your baby’s initials will spell out something undesirable. It’s not going to be fun if you find the perfect combination of names and when you see the initials monogrammed on a baby blanket realize that it spells out ‘RAT’ or ‘DOG’ or even something worse.
Flow of Name
Remember that you will be saying this name for the rest of your life and you don’t want to be tripping over your words every time you say it out loud. Practice saying it in conversations, say it to other people, and gauge their reactions. If it feels clumsy or is difficult to get out then it isn’t the right combination of names.
Check the Meanings
There is an endless choice of names from different cultures, languages, and religions that you can use for your baby. But be careful when choosing a name and make sure that you check the meaning of the name to avoid any weird translations. The name Claudia is beautiful but it means ‘lame’, Giselle is another perfect name for a little girl but it does mean ‘hostage’.
Consider Sibling Names
If this is not your first baby or if you intend on having more than one child you also have to consider sibling names that go together. Its no good if you have names that just don’t roll off the tongue but instead fall out like a lump of cement. Remember you will be saying these names together for a very long time so consider sibling names when deciding on that baby name.
Disagreement Between You and Your Partner
There is no guarantee that you and your partner are going to agree on a baby name straight away. It’s common for there to be disagreements when it comes to choosing a baby name and the difficult issue of trying to merge two different family traditions can add even more stress. Do not panic.
If you find that you simply cannot agree on a suitable name for your baby then ask your partner to provide you with a list of their top ten boys’ and girls’ names. It will narrow down what you have to work with and provide you with an idea of what they consider to be a suitable name. If they like traditional names then you know that they are not going to fall in love with a very unique name and vice versa. You may even find that there is a name on their list that you don’t hate but that a variation of that name is one you can both agree on.
Find A Baby Name Thats Right For You
There are an endless number of baby name options for you to choose from but herre are a few that we have looked into deeper, providing you with all you need to know about them.
- Mia
- Maria
- Aria
- Nova
- Silas
- Lauren
- Benjamin
- Ophelia
- Levi
- James
- Evan
Choosing That Perfect Name
Choosing the right name for a baby can leave many parents feeling stressed and worried. The realization that your child will have the name you choose for a lifetime is overwhelming, to say the least. But try not to panic there is plenty of time to find the perfect name. Now I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be thinking long and hard about this or taking it seriously, but you can have some fun too.
You can give your child a name that is steeped in family history and tradition, one that has deep roots in your culture, or a name that just has a beautiful meaning. Whichever you opt for remember that this will be with them for the rest of their life. The important thing to remember is that choosing your baby’s name is a huge part of becoming parents and should be a joyful experience rather than a stressful one, and trust yourself that you will choose the right one.