Choosing the Perfect Baby Name

Choosing a baby name can be one of the most fun and challenging aspects of having a new baby.Your baby's name will be an introduction to the type of person he or she is - for example, is yourbaby girl a 'Lilly', or is she a 'Rose'? In your baby boy a 'George' or a 'William'? Should your baby'sname mean 'strength' or 'desire', or is the name's meaning not important?

Parents, grandparents, friends, siblings, and family will be sharing their advice and ideas in helpingyou find a name for your child. Chances are you will spend hours trying to pin down that perfectbaby name and you'll change your mind more than once along the way. But eventually, you will finda few names that you like best.

Once you find a few different names, you can ask friends and family which name they like best. Youcan also compare your list to the top 100 baby names by decade or the most popular names of aspecific year - maybe you want a popular baby name or maybe you prefer a unique name. Eventually,you will find the perfect baby name, and it will instill you with a sense of pride and achievement,both for you and eventually for your child.welsh girl names

Selecting a popular name for your baby

Today's favorite names may or may not be around tomorrow. While some names have proven the testof time, others have come and gone like leg warmers. There is an easy way to determine if a namehas staying power, simply review the top 100 names by year using this site. We list the top 100 babynames for the past 125 years, by year. While choosing a very popular name today can be fun, it maymean your son or daughter will be one of many in their classes growing up. This isn't necessarilybad, but something to consider when selecting that perfect baby name.

Selecting a baby name with the perfect meaning

A great method in finding a perfect baby name is to understand the name meaning. You can find theperfect baby name meaning using one of two methods: 1) you can look up the meanings of yourfavorite names, and/or 2) you can take the BabyNamesUSA test. The tests helps you find the perfectbaby name by choosing words that you believe are important or are words you want your futurebaby to possess - like loving, or gentle, or intelligent.

The test will allow you to choose meanings that are significant and/or important to you - whether it'sa characteristic you find admirable, or one in which you want your future baby to possess to becomesuccessful in life.

Searching for a baby name using the origin/ethnicity/religion of the name

One of the most common methods for selecting a baby name is using the origin and/or ethnicity ofthe baby name. This will give the baby an immediate source of identity and an understanding of theculture and origin of the baby's family heritage. In some religions, like Judaism, it is common toname a baby after a deceased family member, to honor loved ones who've passed. In many casesthese names were from a different generation (see top 100 baby names by year, above) and may be'out of style'. If this is the case, middle names are the perfect solution.

Choose a baby name for each sex - so whatever the baby is, you are ready.

Once you get the wonderful news that a new babyis coming, it will be a while until you can determinethe baby's sex - IF you are considering finding outat all (food for thought - there is no better surprise,and nothing more worth waiting for). Having aboy's name and girl's name is a great start.

Naming the baby after the parent - either a singlename, or the entire name

In order for your baby boy to become a Jr. (junior), or the 'II' (the second), the entire name should bethe same as the father's. The father is the Sr. (senior), the son becomes the Jr. For example, JohnWilliam Smith names his son John William Smith, the father is the Sr. /I, the son is the Jr. /II. If theson is the third generation to receive the name, the baby boy typically becomes the III (third). Besure you want to name your baby boy, or baby girl, the same as a parent - it can lead to confusiongrowing up. If you know you want to name the baby after a parent, selecting a unique middle namemay be the perfect solution.

Your child will have to live with this name for a lifetime.

The name you choose for your baby (and future child/adult) should be worn happily. Will family,friends and one day, employers 'take notice' for the wrong reasons? Remember, kids can be cruel -don't make life more challenging than it needs to be.

Choose a baby name that you are proud of, and makes you smile.

Naming your baby after family and friends that have a special place in your heart is a great place tostart. Are their special attributes you want your baby to carry - choosing a name that meanssomething special is also a great idea.

Make sure the full name (first, middle and last) sounds good together.

Say the baby's name aloud - is it easy or difficult to say the name? Choose a name that flows welltogether. Stay away from Jim Shoe (gym shoe) or names that when pieced together can have analternate meaning.

Write the full baby name down - as well as the initials of all names.

If your baby name's initials make up another word - be sure you are comfortable with what results.For example James Earl Thompson (JET) may be acceptable, but think twice about names like DanielIrving Petty (DIP).

Spell it!! When writing the name down, was it difficult to spell and/or say? If you had problems, youmay want to reconsider the name.

Nicknames are inevitable.

When your child goes to school, joins a sports team or club, chances are a nickname may be closebehind. Some nicknames can be endearing, but others may not be what you had in mind when

naming your baby. Many times, Alan Jackson results in AJ - be sure this is acceptable, as many times,it is ultimately out of the parents control.

Naming your baby after a sports figure, movie star, or political hero

Be sure you want to go this route, prior to naming your baby. While the name may be beautiful - itcould become overly popular. Or, if the person falls out of favor, it may result in giving the name anegative stigma.

Naming multiple babies

If your family is going to increase by more than one baby, there a few things to consider. First,naming babies with the same first initial may be confusing - for you, the babies and future teachers.You may want to consider choosing different initials - giving each child a unique name. Second,choosing different initials may make things easier when accepting gifts containing your babies'initials. If each baby's name contains the same letters - it will be difficult in determining which giftsbelong to which baby. This will only get more challenging.

Religious & Traditional considerations

Some families have a tradition in passing down names from generation to generation. Make sure youcheck with both parents' families first. Also, some religions don't allow babies to be named afterliving family members. Be sure to check your religious beliefs as well.

Select multiple names for your baby.

Chances are, you and your partner, your family, and others will all have a different name in mind.While the decision ultimately comes down to the parent(s), keep your mind open to suggestions. Notonly will this help in selecting the best name for your baby, but it will make your life easier along theway.

What if there is a pet with the same name we wanted to name our baby.

Unless the name is Fido or Spot - we wouldn't worry much about it. We had a dog name Jordan (afterMichael Jordan), and I've met many other people named Jordan. It is inevitable that someonesomewhere named a dog, cat, fish or rabbit the same name you are considering for your baby. If youlove the name - don't look back.

I have a friend/family member who is considering the name I wanted for my baby.

There are a few things you can do. If the person is going to move forward with the name, you mayneed to choose a new one (or try talking with them). Or you can find the meaning of the name, andsee if a different name with the same meaning is appealing to you.

For you parents that have yet to choose a name for your baby - you should learn from this lesson.You may want to keep you favorite names secret - or only share with people that 1) aren't going tohave kids anytime soon or 2) you can definitely trust. Well-liked and/or unique names can becomevery popular, very quickly.

I love the name - but others do not.

Two points on this.

1. If the opinions of these people mean something to you, it is up to you and your partner whether ornot you let other people's opinions change your mind. If their points are valid - it may be worthlistening to the person. See 'Selecting a Name'

2. You will always be able to find someone that isn't crazy about the name you've chosen for yourbaby. If you are happy with your choice - then tune the person out. If that doesn't work, tell themthanks for sharing their opinion with you, and name your baby what you wanted to anyway.

I like one baby name - my partner likes a different name.

There are several things you can do to compromise.

1. One of you pick the first name, the other can select the middle name - or a nick-name for the baby.

2. Each of you can select a few names you each like, and see if one of those baby names makes youboth happy.

3. If you are planning on having multiple children, you can take turns selecting the baby's name. Youcan pick the name for the first child, and your partner can pick the name of the next baby. Be aware- if you decide to do it this way, one of you may not be happy when it comes to the next baby's name.

4. Dart board - Put the different baby names on a dart board (or something similar), and throw away!If that doesn't work, try the 'flip-a-coin' method.

My partner wants to name the baby after a family member - but I really don't care for the name (orthe family member).

Honesty is typically the best policy in most cases. If you are not thrilled with the name your partnerhas chosen for the baby, see article 'I like one baby name - my partner likes a different name'. Thereare ideas here that will help.