Naming Your Baby
Overcome the Hurdles
In the hectic frenzy that goes into preparing or caring for a newborn, selecting a name may seem to be the least of the challenges. While for some the process of selecting a name may be quite uneventful, for others there may be some hurdles.
• Difference of opinion: Couples may sometimes have a problem agreeing upon a name for their baby. To avoid this, it helps if both parents jointly list potential names, for boys and girls, early on during the pregnancy. Each can then select names that appeal to them individually. There are bound to be at least some common choices and the final selection may be made from among these matches.
• Criticism from others: The name you finally choose could provoke criticism from others. If this happens to be from people whose opinions matter to you, it may be a difficult choice to make. It is ultimately up to you to decide whether you want to stick to your resolve or change your plan to please others.
• Family traditions: Sometimes family tradition may dictate the choice of names. If you don’t like them, it is up to you to decide whether you should honor the tradition at the cost of your own wishes. One option would be to go along with the tradition, but shorten or modify the name to make it sound more modern.
• Unsolicited suggestions: Prospective parents are often subjected to endless advice on various matters, and that includes options for naming the baby. This can be exasperating, but the best way to deal with it would be to at least consider the options offered. You may even like some of them. If you don’t, you can of course reject them.
Unexpected Naming Issues
You may have expended thought and consideration in selecting an appropriate name for your child. However, some things you could overlook may result in your child’s name ending up with an unintentional blooper attached to it.
Consider the following points while selecting your child’s name:
• Avoid names that lead to cruel nicknames: Accepted, kids will always be kids, and almost any name can be twisted to conjure up an appropriately cruel nickname. However, try to avoid names that obviously lend themselves to a negative nickname.
• Consider your child’s initials: While choosing a name, always keep in mind the initials that the name will form along with the middle name and the surname. Write these initials down and check that they do not connote something negative or undesirable. For instance, if your child’s full name is Peter Oliver Taylor, the initials will spell out as ‘POT,’ which may not exactly be flattering.
• Consider how the name will be shortened: Almost all names having two or more syllables invariably get shortened to an informal abbreviation. Consider what the most obvious shortened version of your child’s name will be. For instance, its fine when Timothy becomes Tim and Daniel is shortened to Dan, but remember, Madison will be Mad, and Fatima, Fat!
Some common naming trends include selecting names on the basis of:
• Tradition: Parents today are rediscovering names from earlier times that somehow lost out to more trendy ones. These not only include names that were in vogue until not so long ago, but may even be drawn directly from ancient or historical sources, for instance, biblical names such as Ananiel, Delilah, or Hanamiel.
• Exotic value: Many parents increasingly opt for exotic names with foreign ethnic roots for their children. These may include familiar names in their foreign versions, such as the Greek Georgius for George, or more unfamiliar ones such as Tatyana or Estefania.
• Meaning:There is a trend of naming children with words of positive or personal significance. While overall a good trend, parents need to avoid choosing names that could typecast the child with specific aspirations.
• Novelty: Many parents create new names by combining two or more accepted names. Others convert surnames into names or switch traditional names between genders. However, parents need to understand that, especially in the case of the latter, such names may expose children to unnecessary ridicule.
A list of most popular baby names of girls and boys.
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