How do you approach a decision of a lifetime: with care and thoughtfulness or with a blindfold reaching into a hat?

When it comes to finding names for babies, many of us may already have a name in mind and so choosing isn’t even a factor.

Yet for those of us taking on the challenge of choosing a name for our baby, there are many things that you could consider.

So, let’s take a look at some of your options including the importance of choosing well, baby name inspiration, as well as resources and baby name guides that help you choose the perfect name for your child.

A Rule or Two about Finding Baby Names

Making a good choice for your baby’s name is important for several reasons.  First of all it will go with him or her for their lifetime.  So choosing a compound name that is 4 names long with a hyphenated last name just isn’t practical.

Or weird spellings of common names may make an unusual baby name and you may get all sort of interesting comments - but think of your son or daughter and how they will have to manage that handle for the rest of their life.

The Johnny Cash song, A Boy Named Sue, is a prime example of naming your child in a way that may set him or her up for ridicule.  Fanny or Gay just wouldn’t be good names anymore for obvious reasons.   As you can see, finding names for babies can take some thinking ahead on your part.  With that in mind, a thoughtful parent will take time to select one that is just right for all concerned.

Choosing a Name of a Family Member

Of course, it can be as easy as taking a name from a family member or relative.  A name is a very personal thing to both the parent and eventually to the child.  So, choosing a name of your great aunt may mean something to you - but do consider your daughter and perhaps make that her middle name if it’s out of date.

You never know just how the name will be taken by your child and naming him Herbert or her Nellie might set you up for some troubles later even if Grandpa was named Herbert.  Keep that in mind as you mull over possible baby names.  Past President of the United States, Harry S Truman, never had a full middle name but only “S” as he took the first initial of both his grandfathers to avoid hard feelings.

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Popular Names Lists

Of course, choosing your baby’s name could be as simple as scanning the top 100 baby boy names or top 100 baby girl names.  How these names become the most popular is because parents to be see a movie or read a book and their child gets the new label based on a celebrity or character name - as do thousands of other kids!

How many Emma’s (thanks to Emma Thompson) do you know of?  By the way, as of the writing of this article Emily and Jacob are the most popular names according to the Social Security Administration.

Southern Names

Some parents like to take parts of their own names and make a new name from them.  This is quite common in the south, where folks have an affinity to choose distinctly southern baby names like Betty Jean or Bobby Joe. Or they contract it even more like Earlene is derived from Earl, for example or Daylyne, from David and Lynne, would make an unusual baby girl name.

Rare or Unusual Baby Names

Another factor may be that you want to choose an unusual baby name, one that is unique to your child. You could consult this same top 100 baby names list and take one and change around the spelling like Robin as Robbyn or Cheryl as Sherryll or take two names and come up with something entirely new – Mardrianne from Mary and Adrianne.  Cymynet and Skyvy were just two unusual baby names to be found in an unusual baby names list.

Old Fashioned Baby Names

As with choosing a name of a family member, taking an old name like Catherine or Montgomery can be quite distinctive and you can always shorten it to a nickname like Cathie, Kate, or Kit or Monty for the boy’s name.

Or another route is to make initials the name, like James Pierpont Morgan is better known as JP Morgan.  Some parents just like the sound of initials like AJ or GG so they choose unique baby names to fit those initials.  So, with that let’s take a look at some resources that will help you sort out the possibilities.

Resources for Finding Baby Names

There are tons of resources available to parents these days.  Using the Internet is becoming popular when you need baby name help with lists and even some free programs to try out.  But there are many books you can borrow from the library or buy.  There is even software you can install on your PC to help you decide which name is right for you.

The great thing about these resources is that you may find that the name you’ve chosen isn’t appropriate for some reason.  You will find yourself either giggling or thoughtful as you read though and realize the name you may have in mind just isn’t right.

Why? All names have an origin of meaning.  Many are based on characters in history or from the Bible.  Like William or Jonathan or Abigail or Suzanne.  These names often carried an even more original definition - like the name Rebekah means “noose” in Hebrew.

Might be nice to know you were naming your child “noose” before you stuck her with it.  Of course, then there are the names Jezebel and Judas, which folks in the Judeo-Christian community will avoid.

And the software takes it one step further so that you can type in a meaning, like “love,” and you get forms of love like Charity and Aime (Amy). You can actually compose a beautiful name rich with meaning to you and your child using baby naming software.

Suppose you wanted to use a form of John for your son.  You get back, Jon, Jonathan, Jean, Juan, Sean, Shawn just to name a few.  Bet you didn’t know that there were so many things to consider!

Choosing your baby’s name is a special thoughtful process.  It is your first gift to your little one.  Keep that in mind as you set about finding your baby’s name and bless him or her with a moniker that you feel will best represent her in the world.

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