How to Choose a Baby Name

Deciding on a name for your baby is one of the biggest choices you will have to make in your life. It can be a very difficult decision to make. There are thousands of web sites for baby names, and many people have written books on the meaning of a name. You will get so many opinions, wanted or not, about what you should name the little bundle of joy. Ultimately the decision is yours. When trying to narrow down the results here are a few things to keep in mind.

Step1

Choose several names that are appealing to you. Don't worry about what your mother-in-law says. She has already been given the opportunity to name her children. Don't let her influence you into naming your baby something you are not sure of. You can accept suggestions, but don't allow anyone to pressure you or give you a guilt trip.

Step2

Once you have narrowed down a few names that you think you may like. Say them, over and over, out loud. How do they sound. Say the first, middle, and last names together. Do the names mesh together? For instance, you wouldn't want to name your child Janis Francis Lance would you? That just doesn't even sound normal. Listen to how the names sound. Think about when your child is a teenager and you are calling for them, you will eventually call all three names together. You don't want it to sound silly like Carrie Terrie Perry.

Step3

Discuss different names with the child's other parent. They also have a say in what to name your child. Maybe you like Bradley, and they like Keegan. You can come to a compromise by naming the baby Bradley Keegan. They may even come up with a name that you will like better.

Step4

Keep a pad of paper handy for anytime you think of a new baby name that interests you. Write it down to ponder while you wait for the birth. That way you won't forget, forty weeks is a long time to try to keep all the names in your head.

Step5

Don't be afraid to change your mind. Nothing is set in stone. Once your baby is born, even if you have already decided on a name, you may take one look at him or her and suddenly come up with something totally different.

Step6

Whatever name you choose, make sure it is something that you truly love, you will be saying it for the rest of your life.