Choosing a name for your soon-to-be-born baby boy can be a time filled with joy and excitement, but it can also cause worry and indecision over selecting the perfect name for your new arrival. According to Oliver Tavakol, author of "The Right Baby Name," you may be overwhelmed with the sheer number of baby boy names to choose from as well as from the advice and opinions offered from family and friends. The process of selecting a name for your baby boy can be a time of great excitement if you and your partner work together to make the decision.
Step 1
Make a list of any boy name you like. Encourage your partner make a list as well. Include family names, names you have heard from friends, and family members and names that you have personal reasons for writing down. Browse through baby name books to help you create a list with several options.
Step 2
Share your list with your partner. Circle any name you have both written on your list so you can begin narrowing down your options. Cross off any name on your lists if you or your partner has a strong opposition to it.
Step 3
Create a new list of any names you circled and any names you both wish to consider further. Add any additional names you or your partner has suggested since writing the original list.
Step 4
Discuss each name choice you have on your list. Consider how important a particular family name is, recommends Sylvie Nicole, author of "Baby Name Encyclopedia: The Perfect Baby Name Adviser." Think about whether any of your choices could become an obvious target for teasing or whether family or friends with shorten the name against your wishes, adds Tavakol. Talk about how important issues, such as ethnicity and popularity of a name, are to you.
Step 5
Write a new list that omits any name you have decided against during your discussions. Practice saying each of your remaining choices out loud to see if they fit with your last name, suggests Nicole.
Step 6
Trust your instincts. If you are not completely satisfied with the name you have chosen, speak with your partner and repeat the process until you have selected a name you are both happy with because your baby boy will have this name forever.
Tips and Warnings
- If you want to name your baby after family members but cannot settle on just one name, Nicole suggests combining names to create a tribute to family. Separate the names into individuals syllables and try different combinations until you find one you like. A mother's maiden name can be used as a name for your baby boy as well.
- Reconsider naming your baby something odd, cautions Nicole, because children with odd names are more likely to be teased.
Things You'll Need
- Baby name books
- Paper
- Pencil
References
- "The Right Baby Name"; Oliver Tavakol; 2007
- "Baby Name Encyclopedia: The Perfect Baby Name Adviser"; Sylvie Nicole; 2005
