Having a hard time thinking of a great name for your baby? Here are some tips to help you get that name.
Giving a baby a fitting name is one that's exciting, but also one that's not easy to make. To help parents give the right name, TheBump.com shares a few tips in choosing a name for your little champ.
Communicate with your partner.
Nameberry.com cofounder Pamela Redmond Satran says that “for most couples, picking a name has become a nine-month process — even beyond.” New parents can start with just an idea, pen and paper; couples can have fun thinking about a great name for their baby, and may get ideas from a lot of sources, like grandparents' names, favorite movies, even favorite teachers.
Be adventurous.
In checking out ideas, be adventurous about it and try looking at newspaper captions, for instance.
One mom, in a TheBump.com message board, commented that “a radio talk show host here in the Philadelphia area suggested watching credits to shows and movies.”
Search!
Books are a great source to get name ideas from. You can find good baby name books while browsing through the local bookstore, or in Amazon.com. The pregnancy website suggests "The Complete Book of Baby Names" by Lesley Bolton, and "Cool Names for Babies" by Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz.
Also, parents can try to search for many name ideas on the internet. Try checking out names by country/regions, popularity, and meanings.
Get creative, but not too much.
Parents can play with the names of people, and even combine them. “I wanted Jackson but my husband thought it was too popular and really wanted Paxton. Obviously, we came to a compromise and we both love it: Jaxton,” says a mom on TheBump.com.
However, getting too creative might give your kids a hard time spelling their name, so be careful.
Think of the future.
While some names sound really cute for babies, parents have to think about the future: if the name will sound good when the kid looks for a job when he/she reaches age.
Satran says that names embody how parents want the child to feel and be, as well as how others see them. The kids, she adds, will carry them for a lifetime.
Ultimately, go with your gut.
No matter what website, book, or whoever might suggest a name, the parents are still the ones who will choose the name for their baby. TheBump writer Erin van Vuuren said, "Take your time and find a name that fits your new family to a tee."
