Naming your baby

• Think about the style of names you like. - Do you prefer traditional or more contemporary names? Would you like your child's name to reflect your heritage or religious beliefs? Is there a specific meaning you would like to include in your child's name?



• Although certain names sound adorable for a toddler they don't transfer well to adulthood. Imagine your baby grown up and choose a name that will suit. Try putting the prefix Mr, Mrs or Dr in front of a name and see how it sounds if you're not sure..



• Try and avoid choosing a name that is too 'fashionable', certain names go out of fashion as quickly as they come in.



• Choose a name that is easy to say and spell - it will save your child a lot of frustration



• Go with a name that fits with your surname - shorter names often sound better with longer surnames and vice versa



• More unusual names tend to work best with plainer surnames whereas exotic last names go well with less elaborate first names .



• Avoid names that end in a vowel if your surname beings in a vowel as these can be difficult to say.



• Give first names that rhyme with your surname a miss and avoid puns



• Remember that children can be mean - imagine you are back at school and test a name by seeing how it can be shortened, what the initials spell and whether it rhymes with anything unfortunate.



• If family tradition dictates that you should call your child a name that you're not too fond of, try not to feel pressured - as a compromise maybe include it as a middle name instead.



• Remember that choosing a name should be a joint decision made by both parents - you should have a rule that if one of you really doesn't like a name, it gets taken out of the picture



• Save the final decision for when you finally see your newborn baby - only then will you be able to tell whether a name is right or not

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Related Information

	Favourite boys names		Favourite girls names
	Whose surname?		Choosing a middle name
	What to do when you don't agree		Making baby's name unique
	Should you share your baby name?		Naming twins
	Does a name affect your baby's future?