Choosing a name for your baby can be either the easiest decision you’ve ever made or the hardest.
But for many of us, the whole prospect of baby naming sounds like a branding exercise from hell.
But you don’t want to be too safe or boring, either.
While this is liberating, it can also make your decision a lot harder.
A good starting point for inspiration is close to home: your own cultural heritage.
But even the names of relatives you’ve never met or previously heard of can offer intriguing options.
“Think about what kind of name meanings resonate with you,” Sarah suggested.
“Maybe you love nature and want to focus onnature names.
Now you have a starting point!”
“A name rooted in something you cherish adds layers of intention and authenticity,” she said.
But now, all that has changed.
“Everyone is pushing to be unique, to be creative.”
“Beyond the aesthetics of the name, its connotations and associations shape their identity.
But, unfortunately, even common, well-liked names can evoke negative responses through no fault of their own.
“Considering a name’s historical or cultural associations is vital,” Dumitru said.
For instance, names associated with polarizing public figures can be problematic and should be avoided.
And even names with no public negativity attached to them can be problematic for personal or family reasons.
But a lot of times, they’re saying, this is his ex-girlfriend,” she explained.
(Your pet certainly will.)
More crucially, your pet will always, in a way, be a child.
This is not the case, however, with a human baby.
So when thinking of names, don’t just envision how they’ll fit a baby.
You have two options for handling this problem.
Repeat as often as needed (but be nice!).
Are they names you (and your child) will feel comfortable hearing every day?
If not, consider a safer name choice.
Yes, it’s a lot and potential pitfalls can lurk in plain sight.
A case in point is the initials spelled out by your chosen name.
“The initials, too, warrant attention to avoid unintended word combinations,” Dumitru told The List.
“Middle names are a great help,” Suzanne toldNPR.
“I had a boy and a girl named picked out when I was pregnant.
I chose Sierra as the girl’s name.
Then, a few weeks before I gave birth, I discovered I was having twins identical girls.
“They’re 24 now, and I can tell you that has been so confusing their entire lives.
The pharmacy mixes them up.
The government mixes them up.
“We live in an age of tremendous diversity in naming,” Sandel explained.
See how you like the sound of it in later life events.
Sometimes this simple scenario test helps narrow down what names you truly feel fit your little one.”
Partner hates your name choices?
And this means, unfortunately, that you and your partner may not always agree on your name choices.
“If this leads to agreement on a favorite name or two, great!
But it can be counterproductive, especially if one parent suggests and the other rejects again and again.”
“Talk about the qualities you’d like in a name first,” she advised.
Above all, Sandel advises, keep an open mind.
Thus, Sarah recommends against getting friends and family involved.
“People feel like they can give unfiltered opinions on a name if the baby is not born yet.
“Hated being one of three Jessicas in your graduating class?
Don’t name your baby Olivia.
Loved sharing a name with your dad and grandfather?
Maybe family names are the way to go,” she said.
Suzanne agrees, saying she recommends her clients do the same thing.
