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The 7 Biggest Mistakes Newbie Baby Namers Make
Parent Dish ^ | Apr 7, 2011 | Pamela Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz

Posted on 04/16/2011 11:46:10 PM PDT by TheDingoAteMyBaby

There are few things more thrilling in life than having your first baby. But newbie baby namers are prone to making some mistakes that more experienced name choosers are able to avoid.

If you're choosing a baby name for the first time, don't make one of these seven common mistakes:

1. Believing that the names that were popular -- and creative -- when you were a kid still have the same status.

Name tastes have changed radically over the last decade or two. Goodbye, Jessica and Josh, hello Layla and Serenity, Landon and Tristan -- all top 100 names.

2. Thinking that the playground rules are the same as they were back in the day.

Kids no longer get teased for having names that are unique, androgynous, exotic or hard to pronounce or spell. Rather, name diversity is celebrated.

3. Letting your parents have too much say in the baby's name.

Baby names can undoubtedly be a fun topic of family conversation. But the person who changes the diapers at 3 a.m. gets to name the baby.

4. Clinging too tightly to the name you always swore you'd give your first child.

A lot of people -- let's face it: girls -- spend their childhoods coming up with fanciful names they want to give their children. But if that name you always loved has suddenly become uber-popular or clashes with your new last name, let it go.

5. Caring too much about how cool the name choice makes you look.

Sure, pregnancy is cooler than it used to be, with cuter clothes and celebrity role models. But putting a name's cool factor above all else won't make little Bronx's life very easy.

6. Not considering subsequent children's names.

First-time namers are likely to think about, well, their first child's name, but if you name Baby No. 1 Tallulah, then you pretty much rule out Lula, Lila, Delilah, Sula, Tally and maybe even Louis for subsequent children.

7. Not realizing that there's going to be a real live baby ... and child ... and, eventually, grownup on the other end of the naming decision.

We get it that it can seem like your pregnancy is all about you. Sometimes, it can almost come as a shock when an actual baby emerges in the delivery room, instantly asserting her own needs and personality. Try to keep that little (and eventually big) person in mind when you choose the name she'll live with forever.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Humor; Miscellaneous; Society
KEYWORDS: babies; babynames; children; names; parenting; parents
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To: mmercier

“If I get lucky a tornado will kill me before work.”

Hopefully you’ll have an unlucky day!


101 posted on 04/17/2011 4:53:20 AM PDT by ari-freedom
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To: mylife

True story. A Korean girl in my grade 10 class was named Ding My Dong.


102 posted on 04/17/2011 4:55:19 AM PDT by rickmichaels
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To: Celtic Conservative

My neighbors named their triplets: Faith, Hope and Richard.


103 posted on 04/17/2011 4:57:10 AM PDT by cotton
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To: ziravan
"When naming a child, the final test should always be to go out your front door and scream the whole name at the top of your lungs."

How about this kid by the name of "FUNNY NOT FUNNY! THAT'S RACIST!!!"

104 posted on 04/17/2011 4:58:20 AM PDT by ari-freedom
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby

Sometimes last names can have some strange results. I knew a urologist ..Dr. Dick. However you can also find some interesting names in your family tree. I have maternal grandmothers named Sophrona and Mahitable.


105 posted on 04/17/2011 5:00:08 AM PDT by The Great RJ (The Bill of Rights: Another bill members of Congress haven't read.)
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To: rickmichaels

“True story. A Korean girl in my grade 10 class was named Ding My Dong.”

I’ve got a girl named Rama Lama Ding Dong. She’s everything to me.


106 posted on 04/17/2011 5:02:06 AM PDT by ari-freedom
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To: LukeL

Just on a side note, I find the name “Luke” to be very masculine sounding. I love the name! Just a thought.


107 posted on 04/17/2011 5:06:02 AM PDT by momtothree
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To: momtothree

“But I was going into Toshi Station to pick up some power converters!” - not masculine


108 posted on 04/17/2011 5:07:05 AM PDT by ari-freedom
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To: The SISU kid

I worked with his uncle, Hugh Jardon.


109 posted on 04/17/2011 5:20:47 AM PDT by j_tull (I may make you feel, but I can't make you think.)
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To: golux
We have a friend whose girl’s name is “Scout.” Which is a great girl’s name! I love it! But is it such a great woman’s name?

Yes, if she has an eight figure trust fund and hangs in those circles.

110 posted on 04/17/2011 5:50:43 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby; Elsie
Here's the source for every Mormon Wannabe Kid Namer

Hat tip to Elsie

111 posted on 04/17/2011 6:00:31 AM PDT by Utah Binger (Southern Utah where the Inman FReepers Meet July 23 Pray Jim Rob Can Make It)
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To: TN4Liberty
We used to have a female wildlife officer here named Fonda Payne. Eventually she married, and we had some fun imagining different married names for her. Peters was a favorite. Very nice lady actually.

We had an female officer in our unit whose last name was Burger. She was dating a fellow officer whose last name was King. Can you imagine a Burger - King wedding? She was also a very nice lady.

112 posted on 04/17/2011 6:24:14 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (TX and MI - When the going gets tough, the dims run and hide.)
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby
When choosing my children's names I tried to imagine what it would sound like if it were announced over a hospital public announcement system.

For instance:

Dr. Ruth Winter, Code blue East Wing.

....or....Dr. Honeybunch Winter, Code Blue East Wing.

113 posted on 04/17/2011 6:27:36 AM PDT by wintertime
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To: Arrowhead1952

I bruised a rib about a week ago. Reading this topic was a huge mistake. I hurt... lol


114 posted on 04/17/2011 6:49:14 AM PDT by Sporke (USS-Iowa BB-61)
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To: TigersEye

Ed Zackary


115 posted on 04/17/2011 6:54:15 AM PDT by Osage Orange (I knew what I was feeling, but what was I thinking!)
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To: Tainan

116 posted on 04/17/2011 6:54:23 AM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby

I have to chuckle at the lack of creativity in naming children sometimes, or at least some thought should be given at reviving ancient naming customs, where men are simply named “So and So” son of “ So and so.”
My scottish husband has relatives named Lachlan Maclachlan, and knew a Magnus Magnuson...
I made a snide comment to him about it... but then I ended up working with a John Johnson...


117 posted on 04/17/2011 6:58:59 AM PDT by Katya (Homo Nosce Te Ipsum)
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To: AndyJackson

Yes, Scout was the girl’s name in To Kill a Mockingbird.

BUT, it was a nickname. I think her name was something like Jean Louise Finch.

Of course, in this day and time, we dispense with the “real” names and just give the kid a nickname.

I had a friend whose given name was “Ed”. Never did figure out what his parents were thinking.


118 posted on 04/17/2011 6:59:32 AM PDT by jaybee
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To: Sporke

She actually also dated a guy whose last name was Furr. Can you imagine if they had a Furr - Burger wedding? That is the kind of thinking Mr. Furr actually had.


119 posted on 04/17/2011 6:59:47 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (TX and MI - When the going gets tough, the dims run and hide.)
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To: donmeaker
Yeah.

I was a bit of a hellion ☺

120 posted on 04/17/2011 7:02:14 AM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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