Choosing the name for your baby can be an overwhelming task---there are literally thousands of names to pick from. In addition, there are many things to consider such as relative suggestions, preventing embarrassing nicknames and any names that are connected to bad memories. Because you can't please everyone, it is important to pick a name that you and your partner feel good about. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this.
Step 1
Consider family history. Keep Kids Healthy.com suggests looking back through your family tree and choosing a name that you like. Pick a beloved grandparent or even someone you never met.
Step 2
Pick a name that sounds melodious and fits well with your last name. The Babycenter websire suggests avoiding first names that rhyme or create a pun with the last name, such as Hollie Wood.
Step 3
Choose the name of a favorite celebrity, TV character or singer. But keep in mind that many other people choose famous names as well.
Step 4
Find a name that is unique and stands out from other children. Just be sure it is not so unusual that it draws unwanted attention or cannot be easily pronounced. Consider picking a unique first name if your last name is fairly common or vice versa. For instance, if your last name is Williams, refrain from picking a name such as Joe.
Step 5
Look up the meaning of names in a baby book. If your pregnancy was especially complicated, consider naming your baby something like Hope or Wyatt, which means "strong." Finding out the meaning beforehand can also save your baby embarrassment--a child named Brody may not be thrilled to find out that his name means "muddy place."
Tips and Warnings
- Anticipate any embarrassing nicknames when considering your baby's name. Because children can be cruel, the Babycenter website explains that it is important to avoid anything obvious. Be sure that your child's initials don't spell anything that can invoke teasing. For instance, Francis Anne Taylor spells FAT with her initials.
- The Keep Kids Healthy website warns that choosing names that are at the top of the popularity list can be a risky choice. Not only is their popularity temporary, your baby's name will be the same as many other children, making school complicated later.
Things You'll Need
- Baby book
