Naming your baby is a very personal decision. You will always have people who say they don’t like the name you’ve chosen for one reason or another, but if you like it, then that’s all that counts. However, you should think about a few things before you name your baby so you can be sure this is a name that is going to serve them well throughout their lifetime. Take a look and see what you need to think about:
Is This A Real Name?
Is the name you’re thinking of a real name, or have you made it up? This might not be a bad thing – Wendy was once a name made up by the author of Peter Pan. However, you want to make sure that other people won’t have trouble pronouncing or spelling it too much.
Does The Name Mean Something That Other People Might Find Strange Or Offensive?
There are all kinds of strange names all over the world, as you can imagine. Just some of the (very real) strange names include:
- Marijuana Pepsi
- Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii
- Batman Bin Suparman
- Jed I Knight
Some of the above people may love their names and it might be the thing that makes them stand out. However, others might struggle, whether they are at a job interview or introducing themselves to somebody. They could always change their name if they really wanted to, but do you really want to have to make them do that? Make sure you look up the meaning of a name before you give it to your baby.
How Will They Feel About Their Name When They Have Grown Up?
A name might be cute on them as a child, but what about when they are all grown up? Names like Minnie, Dolly, Lolly, and other cutesy names might not suit a little girl that grows into a strong woman. You can use a baby name generator for inspiration if you need it. If you do want to call them something super cute, it might be better if you can make it a nickname. They can then have more control over what people call them when they grow up.
Can Their Name Be Shortened To Something You Don’t Like? How About Their Initials?
Is there a chance the name you have chosen will be shortened in a way that you won’t like? Will their initials get a ton of comments or laughs?
Things To Remember:
- The family will get used to it even if they say they don’t like it now
- You’ll probably realize it isn’t unique, as many parents hear their chosen name everywhere after bringing the baby home
- Some people still won’t get it if you’ve chosen a unique name, but they don’t matter
- Name associations don’t last, so don’t give up your favorite name because of somebody at work you don’t like
- Go with your first instincts. You don’t know your baby’s personality yet, so if you’re torn on a few names, go with your gut.
