So you want to make sure that you pick something you feel strongly about. But where do you start? We’ve put together five useful methods of how to decide on the perfect name for your baby.
Geography Matters
Make sure the name works in the country you live in. By that, we mean it should be easy for locals to pronounce. In a multicultural city like London or New York City, it might not matter as much.
But if you live in, let’s say, Japan, you should probably choose a Japanese name or at least something easy for the Japanese people to say and understand.
Also, consider what the name means. In some countries, the meaning might be offensive or silly. You don’t want to put your child in a difficult position socially for the rest of their life.
Be Careful When Naming After Celebrities
We would advise against naming your child after someone famous. If you want to do that, then it’s best to stick with historical figures who are no longer with us. Of course, it should be someone who had a positive impact on the world.
However, if you decide to name your kid Little Nas or Post Malone, then maybe it’s time to go back to the drawing board. We only say this because living celebrities still have plenty of time to tarnish their reputation.
Use Your Name as Inspiration
The baby’s name could act as a continuation of your own. For example, if your name is Lily, then it could be nice to name your daughter Daisy, to continue the flower theme.
Another method is taking the last letter of your name and using it as the first letter of the baby’s. If your name is John, then calling your son Nick would be an appropriate example.
Or, everyone in the family could have the same first letter. Take the Kardashians for example – Kris, Kylie, Kim, Kendall, Khloe, and Kourtney.
Naming Babies After Relatives
Many parents name a child after a family member who might no longer be alive. Using their name could be a heartwarming way to pay homage to them.
Some opportunities include using the name as the baby’s middle name, or slightly changing the name. For example, someone who lost their grandfather, whose name was Gabriel, might consider calling their newborn daughter Gabriella.
Consider the Initials
You need to make sure that the name works with your surname. Ideally, the baby’s initials shouldn’t spell out anything rude or awkward. For example, if your last name is Simons, and you call your baby Adam Stephen, that might not work out so well for him.