Deciding on a name for your baby is a task that should not be taken lightly. Unless your child wants to go through the complicated process of having his name changed, he will need to live with it for the rest of his life. If you need ideas for names, you can browse through baby-name books or look to you or your spouse's family tree for inspiration. You or your spouse will likely need to compromise to pick a name that you both like.
Step 1
Say the full name aloud several times to determine if it sounds good together and flows. If you have a lengthy first name and middle name picked out, it may sound awkward if your last name is long as well.
Step 2
Go over possible nicknames. For instance, you may love the name "Dominic," but could live without the nickname Dom. In some cases, you cannot control what others call the child, and he may end up with a name you don't like.
Step 3
Review the meaning of the name. If you are caught between two names, a nice definition could make the difference. Baby-name books typically contain the origin and meaning of the name.
Step 4
Visit websites with the popularity rank of baby names. If you want to be an original, you may not want to select a name from the top 10.
Step 5
Ask a few close friends and relatives. The Pregnancy and Baby website suggests that you question a few level-headed friends or relatives on the names you are considering. Although you shouldn't let anyone bully you into choosing a different name, they may give you insight into something you missed, such as a funny nickname or the fact that the name belongs to a tabloid celebrity.
Step 6
Look at the baby. According to Adoption.com, some parents don't decide on a baby name until they see the child at birth and determine if their favorite names suit her.
Things You'll Need
- Baby name books
- Baby name websites
