Baby names: questions to consider

When naming your baby there are several factors that you must consider. You want a name that is not only adorable and which you love, but also one that is practical and won’t lead to teasing. So check out our list of questions to consider when choosing the perfect name for your baby.

1. Do you both love the name? It has to be a name both you and your partner love, after all you both will be saying the name.

2. Is it hard to say or spell?Many of the more unique baby names can be difficult for others to pronounce or spell, making it a bit of a Catch-22 situation. Will you be ok with correcting the pronunciation and spelling of your baby’s name for many years to come? If so, go for it, many beautiful names are hard to say and/or spell, but once people have heard them once they’re unforgettable.

Will the name Benjamin William Austin fit in that space?
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3. Will there be enough space on official documents? Many documents, including school enrollment forms, government administration forms and travel documents ask you to fill your personal details into boxes which allow for a certain number of characters. When choosing a name for your baby, consider the length of the name and any difficulty that could arise when it comes to filling in the information on such documents.

4. How popular is the name? If you’re on the hunt for an original name, it’s worth the trouble of checking out how popular a certain name is. My mum thought when she named my sister Tiffany 20+ years ago she was giving her an original name, only to discover that its popularity had skyrocketed that year and two years later it was one of the most popular names in the world.

5. What nicknames are linked to your baby’s name? A lot of of people are better known by their nickname, so it is important to consider all of the nicknames that could arise from your baby’s name. For example, if you don’t think you will like your child having the nickname Dick, it’s probably best to steer clear of the name Richard. Also, some parents choose to give their baby a certain name, because they love the nickname, such as Lizzie for Elizabeth.

6. What do the initials of your baby’s name spell? This is a factor many parents don’t consider. They are often surprised on the first day of school when they write their child’s initials on their new lunch box only to realise those initials spell an unattractive word. For example, Adam Stephen Smith or Penny Isabel Grant.

7. What does the name mean? We’re not saying your baby’s name should have a deep meaning, in fact few people actually know what their names mean. However, it’s still not a bad idea to find out just what that name means not only in English, but in other foreign languages. For example, the popular French name Fanny would not go without teasing in a British school and you never know what the future holds for you and your family.

8. Does your baby’s name flow well with your surname? One of the worst things is when your child’s given name and surname just don’t match or match too much. Say it out loud along with your surname to make sure it works or you could end up with a child named Toby Lerone or Holly Wood. It’s also worth checking if all of your children’s name go well together, you don’t want a string of names that sounds really weird when put together.

9. Would you hire an adult with that name?Remember, the name your child has will be with him or her for the rest of her life. So consider how the name would look to university administrators and prospective employers. Is it really adult appropriate? Cute nicknames can always be outgrown or kept within the family, so feel free to have fun with those.

Would you hire someone named Princess Leah?
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10. Does that name carry any connotations for you? The name of an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend is probably not a good idea, because even if you like the name, you and your partner will always be reminded of that person when you say your baby’s name. Always, be sure only good memories are associated with the name you choose for your baby.

11. How would it look in an email address? A lot of educational institutions and companies issue email addresses which are based on an individual’s first initial and surname, so make sure they go together. You don’t want your child to have an email address like EAtwood@domain.com, because you named her Elaine. However, if your surname is Amos you may quite like the idea of your baby Frank’s future email address being FAmos@domain.com.

Remember though, the most important thing is #1 you and your partner have got to love the name you give your baby, you don’t want to regret your choice in the future.

Sources of inspiration for baby names