How to Name Your Baby

You, Mom and Dad, are blessed with the task of choosing your baby's name. Family and friends are great resources for ideas, but the choice is yours. Don't be pressured by hints, suggestions, or down-right demands for a specific name. The decision of naming baby is all yours. At the same time, don't reject any resource for ideas. For example, a particularly disagreeable uncle might suggest the perfect moniker for your bundle of joy. Or, you might find your baby's name in a baby-naming book, a classic novel, a favorite movie, or even a soap opera. Now that your mind is open to any and all ideas, resources, and suggestions, here are some questions to ask yourself in making that all-important decision: the name by which this person, so new to the world, will be known for a lifetime.

My Name is Alex!

How does the name sound?

Repeat the name aloud several times and make sure you love what you hear. Avoid something that sounds too much like a tongue-twister or a nursery rhyme; but, consider names that provide a bit of rhythm or melody. You might want to combine first and last names that have a different number of syllables such as Elizabeth Ross (4 syllables & 1 syllable). You can hear the beauty and melody of mixing syllables in some famous names such as Jack Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, Benjamin Franklin, or Harper Lee. Just be sure that the name makes you smile when you hear it or say it.

What will the "other kids" call your kid?

My Father loved the name Theresa, but was flat-out against Terry. Guess what my teenage friends chose for my nick-name? (I'm still Theresa in my parents home.) I go by Teri, and am happy with that handle, but some nick-names can sound insulting or cruel. For example, if the name rhymes with a word that you don't want associated with your child, rethink it.

Will the name stand the test of time?

It can be tricky to select a name that will still sound interesting, or beautiful, or sophisticated, or unique in 20, 40, or 60 years. Will Gwyneth Paltrow's little Apple like being a big Apple? A name that is soooo cute for that little punkin in the pram might not be right for the partner in a pediatric practice.

Do you want to honor a
family member, friend or mentor?

You might want to honor someone by bestowing that person's name on your child. If the association with the family member or friend is close, you may choose the name for the middle to prevent confusion.

What does the name mean?

A name's meaning can provide a sense of history or spirituality. Check several different name books for meanings since not all resources will provide accurate information.

Would you want these initials?

Will your child be BAD, SAD, or MAD? It's easy enough to jot down the first letters and decide whether they would look good initialed on a document or monogrammed on towels.

Does the name have any bad
connotations or associations for you?

This is probably very obvious; you wouldn't choose a name that makes your stomach turn because you knew a bad soul with that name. However, you may desperately love a particular name and have wished for the day that you could pass that name to your offspring only to find that it has bad associations for your partner. Be sure that you are sensitive to his or her feelings; find a name that you both love.

How often will you or your child need
to spell or pronounce the name for people?

You may or may not consider it a problem to spell the name every time you give it, but it's something to think about. If you choose a common name such as Lucy or Nick and decide to jazz-up the spelling to Lucee or Nik, it will need to be spelled or pronounced often. (Yes, I must spell the name T-e-r-i every time I give it.)

Does the ethnicity of the first
name work with the last name?

My brother-in-law named his French poodle, Swede. Cute and funny for a dog. For a human it may be important to decide if the ethnicity of the first and last names work together. As with all guidelines, this is a very personal choice.

My Name is Sam!

A Short Naming Story

As young, expectant parents starting a new business, moving to a new home, and raising two children, my husband and I put-off naming baby number 3. While rushing out the door on the way to the hospital, I grabbed my baby-naming book. While being transported to the hospital I cracked open my brand-new, never been viewed, 300 page guide: Every Thing You Could Ever Want to Know About How to Name Your Baby. While thumbing to the list of names, starting with "A", I went into full labor. I got as far as "Adam" and it sounded good to me. I closed the book and very shortly "Adam Robert" came into the world. Thirty years later I'm happy I only got to the "A"s in my book. My husband and I love the name and, of course, love the man who owns it.

This guide is submitted with affection for parents-to-be.

Best Wishes!
Teri at Punkin Products