Winifred or Willow? Thomas or Troy? The name you choose for your child will last a lifetime. Whether you're looking for something original that will stand out from the crowd or a traditional name that people will instantly recognize, choosing a name for your new baby is a huge responsibility.
It goes without saying that you as the parents must like the name. Names that hold bad associations for you are out (Jeremy was a bore at school, you can't stand Bella in the Tweenies), and if you consider your own name uninteresting, you may wish to choose something more exotic - or vice versa.
Think carefully about combinations of first name and surname. Are they compatible? You may like a mixture of an unusual first name with a more familiar surname (Zara Phillips), but be careful about rhyming the two names - Mark Clarke won't thank you for it. Beware initials that could cause hilarity to your child's future friends - Ethan Thomas or Peter Oliver Ogilvie won't be joining in the giggles! Trying to be clever can also cause grief - Poppy Fields or Summer Winters may sound cute at the time, but can eventually grate on everyone's nerves!
If she's called Grace, will she turn out to be butter-fingered? Will Maximus grow into a Mr. Puniverse? Is Jordan a boy or a girl? What will Elizabeth grow up as? Lizzie? Beth? Liza? And as for Ashleigh, Ashley, Ashlee, Ashlea and Ashlie - all in circulation at the moment - how is anyone supposed to find a name that is both special and appropriate?
Fortunately, sources of inspiration can be found everywhere. You can avoid the throng of Chloes, Emilys, Jacobs and Jacks topping the baby name charts for the past few years, and choose from a huge variety of names collected in specialist books and on the Internet. Some parents prefer biblical names - Rebecca, Abigail, Joshua, Samuel and Joseph are all very popular at the moment. Names inspired by nature include Blossom, Lily or Skye and even Tiger for boys. Place names (Paris, Lamorna), colours (Coral, Ebony), astronomy, music, and sport - all provide a wealth of ideas and choice.
Naming twins presents its own set of challenges. You may wish to link the names in some way using the same first letter (Jack and Jill?) or a theme such as Liberty and Faith, or even similar names like Leo and Eleonora. However, you might end up having two very independent children who don't wish to be connected by name as well as birthday. A less obvious connection involves using different names with similar meanings such as Columba and Jemima (both meaning dove), or Jonathan and Matthew (gift of God).
For those of us who still haven't decided even when the stork delivers, the arrival of your newborn may give you all the inspiration you need! Christmas babies often appear as Noel or Noelle, Natalie or Natasha, nighttime births produce star inspired names such as Stella, Esther or Sterling, and for thankful parents after a difficult birth, Nathaniel (gift of God), Abigail (father's joy) or Miranda (wonderful) might fit the bill.
So whether you plump for Clifford or Condor, Harriet or Harmony, have fun choosing that special name - and with careful thought, your child will grow up bearing a name you can all be proud of!
Claire Kolarova is a busy mother, teacher and webmaster of http://www.littlekidsgamesonline.com, where you can also find http://www.littlekidsgamesonline.com.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HarePerhaps I could make a lot of money by founding... Read More
Here is a list of ways to convey the message... Read More
Children bombard parents with many challenging behaviours. We are delighted... Read More
Until about the age of six, children do not generally... Read More
As I sit here and reflect on the past two... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
To every thing there is a season, and a time... Read More
Vouchers, which give tax money to parents to pay for... Read More
The following spelling games can be used by parents to... Read More
Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it... Read More
21 Reasons I Love Being A DadWhat you will read... Read More
Imagine having no television for an entire season. Such was... Read More
Saturday mornings. Cold cereal and Scooby Doo. How many parents... Read More
Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More
This time, I would like to talk about a subject... Read More
An estimated five million scooters will be sold this year... Read More
Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More
Is there a fathering instinct?Celebrated child development expert Erik Erikson... Read More
I have always been aware of my number one weakness:... Read More
Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More
Search for Assurance: The Power of BelongingThe job hunt is... Read More
Single parenting has seemingly become an acceptable norm which is... Read More
It was blisteringly hot last Saturday. As I took that... Read More
Homes should be run by parents, not children. So many... Read More
At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Here are some tips that I have picked up from... Read More
In today's mental health system there is a pattern of... Read More
Children do what feels good to them and follow their... Read More
Sitting by her Pinocchio lamp, she smiled at me as... Read More
Along with eating healthier we need to be more active.... Read More
According to the American Sleep Association 70% of all babies... Read More
Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to... Read More
To every thing there is a season, and a time... Read More
Ever feel like you're out of the loop when it... Read More
With the beginning of the new school year coming VERY... Read More
"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine,... Read More
There are times when my ideas of raising a child... Read More
Anyone can splurge on a formal dinner or a pricey... Read More
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is making... Read More
Home, home on the range, Where never is heard A... Read More
One of the few decisions you'll make during pregnancy that... Read More
As a parent, you can learn a lot about your... Read More
Although, not a well publicized statistic, childhood obesity has more... Read More
Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal... Read More
Dads, please let me encourage you to change some things... Read More
Child Safety Restraints and children in work vehiclesIf you take... Read More
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I... Read More
This may come as a surprise, but many parents are... Read More
Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More
'Picky Eater' is a label coined to describe the phenomenon... Read More
Parenting |