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.
executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport car~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Results of the Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233Percentage... Read More
The initial state of happiness about an own child is... Read More
Do you ever wonder what is behind the occasional nasty... Read More
There is little doubt that reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic are... Read More
When was the last time you and your kids rolled... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
Chaim Ginott was a schoolteacher whose ideas and observations helped... Read More
IntroductionAs a parent who wants the best for your children,... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
Here is a top secret to make your child genius... Read More
Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More
What is hard for parentsLetting them learn from their mistakes.Trying... Read More
"I don't know and I don't care."I've heard those words... Read More
The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
How would you like to have a closer relationship with... Read More
Now I know that is not how the song goes,... Read More
Reading is the most efficient and economical way to help... Read More
There is no doubt that mothers play an all-important leading... Read More
Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not... Read More
As parents and teachers, sometimes we want to praise, at... Read More
Q: Our son has been in honors classes all through... Read More
Do you feel like someone has abducted your sweet, innocent... Read More
Who Can Register A Birth? The child's mother... Read More
Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a... Read More
What do you do when your child begins talking to... Read More
O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..From the book Spider's Night on the BoomI've only begun... Read More
Strollers offer a wonderful and convenient service to parents and... Read More
It was blisteringly hot last Saturday. As I took that... Read More
Minus all meningitis thoughts. The flu symptons were strong. Headache,... Read More
One of my first memories of childhood is that of... Read More
Your Virgo Baby..August 23 - September 22Virgo children are honest... Read More
1. New Word of the DayIntroduce your preschooler to a... Read More
Moms, did you ever question your value as a role... Read More
In speaking with parents a comment I frequently hear is... Read More
Saying no to our children is not always easy or... Read More
Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry... Read More
Until about the age of six, children do not generally... Read More
"Get down from the table top right now! What are... Read More
Family decision-making is an intriguing phenomenon. Many factors become part... Read More
As with everything, names go through cycles of change with... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
O.K. So now you have taken the step of having... Read More
(Excerpted from Jim Rohn's 2004 Weekend Leadership Event)You have to... Read More
There are so many learning labels floating around these days... Read More
I am sure that this list can be jogged and... Read More
Having been a parent educator and a PBS consultant for... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
I look out of the window as I am writing... Read More
I was reading "A Modern Infant Armada", a humor column... Read More
While youth gangs are nothing new -- they've been traced... Read More
Parenting |