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Where to start?
There are a few parents who know what they
want to name their children years before the children are
born. For most though, naming a child seems
overwhelming. Do you choose a family name? Do you stay
mainstream? Have you thought of all the nicknames that could
result from the name you choose?
A family name: We asked parents who named
their children after mom, dad, a grandparent or other family
member the pros and cons of choosing a family name. The
biggest pros are: it is an easy and quick decision, versus
spending hours studying hundreds of baby names; it is for
many a sign of respect; and the child can share keepsakes
(some even said airline miles...) with their namesake. The
cons are: your child may be mistaken for his or her namesake
(try Googling the namesake to see what is already out
there), it may cause confusion when people call out the name
when both your child and the namesake are present, and it
may be more difficult for the child to form his or her own
identity.
Traditional versus trendy names: There's something said for
choosing a traditional name - your child's name will be easy to
pronounce and will not be misspelled too often. Ah, but your
child may also be one of several Jakes or Marys in the
class. Your decision: do you want your child to have a
unique name (or a unique spelling to a popular name), or are
you confident that your child will stand out as one of many
Mikes or Isabellas? If you choose to alter the spelling of a
traditional name, keep in mind that your child will have a
lifetime of correcting people who will misspell that name.
The name divide: In many instances, spouses
may not agree on a name. Here's a trick - each expectant
parent write down their 10 favorite names (10 girls and 10
boys if you do not know the gender) and exchange papers. You
each may have written the same name. If not, then it may at
least spark some new ideas.
Test, test and test again: So you've found
that perfect name? Say it out loud over and over again. Make
sure you like the sound of the entire name and that you are
comfortable with the great number of nicknames that could
result. Also, make sure the initials do not spell out
something like "MAD," "ASS," "FAT" and so on. Remember, kids
can be cruel.
Do you tell?
If you choose the name of your baby before (s)he
is born, do you tell family and friends? Some expectant
parents can't wait to share their wonderful news. Keep in
mind that if you tell you will undoubtedly get some
unfavorable responses. Whether you hear an ambiguous "Oh,"
or an "I knew a Travis and he was....," most people will
have some opinion on the name you choose. You can shrug off
those unsolicited opinions or choose to keep the name
private - it is up to you but make sure that both spouses
agree on the game plan.
Popular names
What are the most popular baby names in the US? Here's the
top 100 names for girls and boys.
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