Picking out a baby's middle name can seem daunting at first. Sometimes it can be difficult for partners to agree, and there are literally thousands of choices out there. You will want to start looking at names early during pregnancy. Once the first name is chosen, the middle name may come a little easier. Baby Names Garden suggests that you and your partner should both be happy with it. Take your time with it and, most of all, enjoy the process of naming your child.
Step 1
Once the first name is chosen, begin researching middle names that you both like. You may want to purchase a book on baby names or research on the Internet.
Step 2
Write them down in a notebook with the full name written out so you can see how it sounds. BabyCenter website suggests that the full name sound melodious when pronounced out loud.
Step 3
Look for unique names, but avoid puns or humor. You do not want your child to be teased at school.
Step 4
Think about the middle name as a chance to honor a relative. Research through a family tree or ancestry lines.
Step 5
Remember that your child will be called almost always by their first and last name. So don't make it all depend on the middle name. The first and last name need to stand alone together nicely.
Step 6
Avoid making it to hard to spell or pronounce. You want to make it easy enough on your child.
Step 7
Think about nicknames or initials. You don't want your child to be made fun of because of either.
Step 8
Understand a name's meaning. This can be something special to share with your child.
Step 9
Be proud of the name you both choose. It's a gift you are giving your baby.
Tips and Warnings
- There are no hard and fast rules when naming your child. The important part is for it to be a special experience for you and your partner. Write all the names out that you like the most and narrow it down to a few. Go with your instinct. If a name isn't likely to cause the child embarrassment for any reason and you both love it, then its time to make a final decision.
- Getting family members involved in the naming process may be more harm that its worth. You will want this special process to be between you and your partner.
Things You'll Need
- Book on baby names
- Notebook
- Pen
