How to Pick the Best Name for Your Baby

Expectant parents spend hours preparing the nursery, poring over pregnancy and delivery books and going to childbirth classes. Yet surprisingly, many decide their child's given name within a matter of minutes, often spending more time selecting the right car seat or stroller.

What should parents-to-be consider when choosing a baby name? All About Baby, a personalized children's products company that has seen all types of name combinations, has come up with helpful tips to make the process interesting, fun and successful.

First, start with the experts. The choices today are staggering with more than 50,000 common names and spelling variations. Begin with some basic homework by buying a few baby-name books or a baby-name software program. Check online for the best buys.

You can also use the internet by tapping into dozens of internet sites that list popular baby names, some websites even offer customized search programs, complete with the meaning and origin of the names.

Somewhere during the middle of your pregnancy, start jotting down some of your favorite selections.

Next, begin mixing and matching the first and middle names along with the baby's last name to see how you like various combinations. How do the names sound together? How do they look on paper? This is the time to ask others for their opinion, so keep an open mind and have a little fun considering a wide range of names for your little one.

At the same time, keep in mind that names often bring up a myriad of emotions, and sometimes parents can have very different reactions to their partner's favorite choices. So we advise being respectful of your partner's feelings.

Trendy names are really in fashion -- especially with celebrities. However, there is always something to be said for the old standards that have endured the test of time. For instance, Bambi Nevada might seem like a cool choice today, but consider what is the best selection for an entire lifetime. What will this name look like decades later on a business card?

Along these same lines are exotic spellings and invented names, which are also in wide use today. Remember that kids can sometimes be cruel and a highly unusual name could be fodder for playground teasing.

As an adult, just think how many times during an average week you give and spell your name. Do you want to give your child a name that he or she could really resent later?

If you absolutely love a name, but can't tolerate the nickname that often goes with it, then think twice.

For example, I have a friend who named her son Michael, even though she hates the nickname, 'Mikey'. Now the mom spends far too much time and energy correcting kids, teachers and other parents who refer to him by the dreaded nickname. It's just not worth it.

Since ultrasound tests are not always interpreted correctly, All About Baby recommends choosing names for both sexes. Even when you think the gender is a certainty, it is still a good idea to have a back up name. Why? Sometimes the name that seemed perfect during your pregnancy just isn't the right match when the new baby finally arrives.

This actually happened to another mom that I know, who was having her second son, a boy. They learned the sex of the baby during pregnancy and planned for months to name their new son, Cameron Michael.

However, when I visited their home a few days after the baby's birth, I learned the parents had named him Matthew John. His mother's explanation was that after his birth, they all realized 'he just didn't look like a Cameron.' And you know, she was right, he looked like a Matthew John!

Everyone seems to have an opinion when it comes to baby names, and family members can be especially outspoken. While it's fun to hear suggestions, especially during the first part of your name search, keep in mind that ultimately your child's name is your decision. It is impossible to make everyone happy.

Naming your infant is one of the most important tasks you will ever undertake. A person's name is truly a lifetime gift, and it helps define your child -- within the family, to friends, at school and to the outside world. If you consider the options carefully and select with love, you really can't go wrong.

For a complete list of 20 Helpful Baby-Naming Tips as well as a wide variety of other interesting child-related content, visit http://www.allbaby.com.

About The Author

Nancy Wurtzel is the owner and founder of All About Baby, an ecommerce site located at http://www.allbaby.com. All About Baby specializes in personalized and memorable gifts for children as well as interesting and helpful child-related site content. Ms. Wurtzel has over 20 years of marketing and communications experience. She consults with small businesses seeking to enter the marketplace or grow their existing ecommerce business.

For a complete list of 20 Helpful Baby-Naming Tips as well as a wide variety of other interesting child-related content, visit http://www.allbaby.com.

nancy@allbaby.com

---

The Baby Crib: Your Child?s First Bed

It is up to you as parents whether you want... Read More

Baby?s First Shoes: How to Choose the Right Ones

Any parent of an active toddler has asked this question:... Read More

Potty Training At Daycare and Preschool

With 61% of children between the ages of birth and... Read More

Baby Car Seats Safety - Frequently Asked Questions

In this article you will be provided with information about... Read More

The Best Birth Gift

If you are thinking of hiring a nanny, no doubt... Read More

The Making of a Mini-Model

Baby modeling isn't an exclusive art - nor is it... Read More

The Personality Traits Of An Aries Baby

Your Aries Baby..21 March - 19 April.A typical Aries has... Read More

Baby Shower Gifts Are Not All The Same

When one talk about shower baby gifts, it is clear... Read More

The Top 10 Fun Things for Parents and Toddlers to Play With

1. Give your child a spray bottle of water and... Read More

Baby Clothes - Daywear, Nightwear, And Special

When choosing and buying baby clothes, parents can be faced... Read More

Baby Gift Baskets ? A Personalized Way to Show How Much You Care

When baby showers abound what can you give to that... Read More

A Special Formula for Baby!

Choosing to breastfeed the baby is one of the most... Read More

Fun and Easy Baby Shower Crafts

Baby shower crafts can be fun and easy to make.... Read More

Baby Shower Centerpieces That Double as a Gift!

Here you will learn how to make and where to... Read More

Freezing Homemade Baby Food

With our twin boys getting ready to start solid food,... Read More

Baby Cribs - Safety Is Key

You have just learned that you are expecting a baby.... Read More

The Personality Traits of a Capricorn Baby

Your Capricorn Baby..December 23 - January 19Capricorn babies thrive on... Read More

13 Donts on Child Safety

For years, we have been taught that 13 is an... Read More

Home Remedies for Colic

You are at the end of your rope. You have... Read More

Baby Boy Clip Art to liven up your Baby Shower Cards

Loads of baby boy clip art images are available, once... Read More

Why Convertible Cribs Make Sense

Who doesn't love cool gadgets that morph into dozens of... Read More

Baby Shower Invitations Add Style To Baby Announcements

Baby shower invitations set the tone for the big dayBaby... Read More

The Personality Traits of a Pisces Baby

Your Pisces Baby..February 19 - March 20Your baby will have... Read More

What Does that New Baby Really Need?

What your baby needs and may not need.There are so... Read More

Intersting Baby Facts - Strange But True!

* A baby is born every seven seconds.* Babies are... Read More

Unique and Unusual Baby Names

Today one of the biggest trends in naming is choosing... Read More

Baby Shower Invitations Ideas

The first thing you need to do before you order... Read More

Preparing A Layette For Your New Baby

First of all, in case you do not know, what... Read More

Traveling With Babies

If you start baby travel slowly and plan wisely, both... Read More

Advantages Of A Sheepskin Underlay For Babies

Sheepskin offers unique advantages as an underlay for babies. One... Read More

Five Easy Steps to Potty Train Your Baby

No?Don't let your child pee or poop every where and... Read More

Babies Bring Love, Joy, and Opinions

The old saying "babies aren't born with instruction manuals" has... Read More

Hints And Tips On Scrapbooking Baby?s ?Firsts?

It is true to say that a lot of people... Read More