Baby Names

Oh Baby ! Your Name !

Naming your baby can be easy. But, it can also be agonizing and one of the hardest things you'll ever do, especially if you and your spouse don't agree. Some of us choose a name before the baby is born. Others wait to meet the baby and then discover that a certain name just fits.

Give your baby a name that is the right size and shape. It should be appropriate, compatible and help to equip your baby for life. You want it to make him/her feel worthy, well, strong and healthy.

Your name has a power that few of us completely understand. It can affect your personality and your life. Your name can actually influence your success or failure in life. This has been known since ancient times. When Confucius was asked what he would do if he were made Emperor of China, he said that he would change the names of all the cities!

Baby Names List

You can find lists of names and their meanings on tons of web sites . They can help you find the perfect name. Your friends and family will probably give you suggestions. (That could be good or bad, especially from family, depending on how much they think you should value their opinion!) Or perhaps you want to give your baby a name from your heritage. You may even want to search for the history of names. Names can serve as a vital connection between today's parents and their mother's and father's families. Your child's heritage is an essential part of who he or she is and you may want the name to reflect that.

Baby Middle Names

Don’t forget to give thought to a middle name. You could even use two middle names. One idea is to give your daughter the middle name of both her grandmothers. Or your son his grandfathers' names. It means the children can connect in a family way to other members and is a beautiful expression of loyalty and love.

Ideas

It’s a lot to think about. You need the perfect name. To help, here are some of our ideas on how to choose a name:

Name a baby after someone who is a:

• Family member
• Friend
• Nobel Peace Prize winner
• Royalty
• Astronaut
• Favorite artist
• Celebrity baby names
• Figure from history
• Mythological (a source of beautiful and meaningful names)
• Inventor
• Biblical character

You can also:

• Choose a character from a movie
• Find a geographically inspired name (Like Montana - call him Monty)
• Use a traditional name, but spell it differently (Staci)
• Pick a color (Color-inspired names such as Ruby and Scarlet fall into the not-too-weird category.)

Also, look for recently invented names which just sound good -- such as Chantal -- and the uncomplicated English names -- such as Joy or Hope.

Watch For Unwanted Nicknames or Initials

Watch out for potential nicknames and initials that spell bad or insulting words. Write the full name initials down. Initials that spell DIP, no matter how much you love the name Daniel Isaiah Proctor, can be tough to live with.

And kids can be cruel when it comes to nicknames, so try to anticipate any potentially embarrassing ones. Of course, just because you can’t think of one doesn't mean some clever second-grader down the line won't — and he'll probably find it utterly hilarious. You'll never stop some kids from being mean, but avoid the obvious and make it harder for them to come up with something hurtful.

Bear in mind that your newborn will one day grow up. Try not to give a name which will hamper chances of him/her enjoying a proper career.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• How does the name sound? The sound when it's spoken out loud is one of the most important things to think about. Is it melodious? Or does is have a harsh sound? Is it difficult to say?

• Does it go well with your last name?

• Do you want a name that is down to earth, sophisticated, simple or unique?

• Do you want an unusual name? An unusual name has the advantage of making someone stand out from the crowd. On the other hand, a name no one has heard of and few can pronounce can bring attention a child would rather avoid.

• How do you want to spell the name? But be thoughtful of the child. If you spell it unusually, your child may spend his/her life telling people how to spell it correctly.

Uncommon Baby Names

You may want an uncommon name, but be sure you don't choose one that has a humorous ring to it or is absurd.  The child who is reared as "Moon Unit" will undoubtedly face different challenges in early life than the one named "Jane Conner" or "John Field."   However, sometimes these challenges are all that bad.

Here are a few examples of funny names. Do you think the parents realized what they were doing?

• Adam Zapple
• Anna Gram
• Arthur Ritus
• Bob Katz
• Ben Dover
• Bud Wieser
• Earl E. Byrd
• Emma Wroids
• Evelyn Tent
• Marsha Mellow
• May Day
• Noah Count
• Norma Leigh Lucid
• Oliver Sudden
• Owen Monie
• Phillip Mytank (owns a gas station)

Try Out the Baby Name

Create a list of favorites well ahead of time and say the full name often. That way you're not prone to spontaneous "cuteness" you might later regret and you'll have a name you and your child will like. Then pick the one that "fits" best.

Get Opinions

Tell your friends and family about your choice. This will give you valuable feedback. People will give their opinion off the top of their head. You may hear horrible nicknames, etc., that you would never have thought of. Or you may find that your favorite name gets a negative reaction from people. Time to rethink.

Remember, one day your child will probably ask you why you chose the name you did. Be prepared to explain what is special about the name, its virtues, characteristics, its origin and meaning. A name should have meaning that can inspire a child to great things.

Names Spelled Backwards

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