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.
Just don’t choose homosexual names like..Barak or Obama’.
Screw diversity - traditional names never go out of style
TheDingoAteMyBaby, I understand why this article attracted you, luckily my parents were normal and named me ansel12.
Never begin a first name with the syllable “La-” or “Da-” or “Ka-” or “Ta-” and never put a capital letter in the middle of a name.
Baby name ping!
Mine were into amphibians and KNEW I’d be a mother some day.
I named my kid “Oliver Boliver Butt”
It was a toss up between that and “Marvin O’gravel Balloonface”
Was I wrong?
I would add: Giving a common name with one accepted spelling a different spelling. “Maddisyn” instead of Madison, for example (my cousin did this with the name Emily for her daughter).
There is a gal at work named Anita Head
Also a Dick Roy....
LOL! Seriously though, I’m probably not going to have children of my own, so I have this desire to name a child. If a couple really wanted to honor me, I would like to be able to suggest names for their baby.
I knew her brother Richard (Dick)
Yeah, we were pretty boring name givers. My 3 kids all have Biblical/Saints names. Utterly boring. Not an Ophiucus in the house ;)
Actually I dont understand what the problem is.
My parents could never get our names straight
It was always “Bleepdang diddly darn KIDS!”
That guy was a real jerk LoL
Prison attracts the names Dashawn, Rashawn, and Rayshawn. Its a proven fact. Parents should be aware of this evil force and protect their children by skipping those choices.
Amanda Lynn
I have an outline for a novel or screenplay I hope to bring to fruition someday. The names of the two main characters are Ruby and Tirzah. I think those are beautiful names.
Ditto for name endings.
I know which Dr. Seuss story you’ve been reading! :)
Would it be even worse if his mother were Asian?
We are trying to come up with a good baby name, and having so much fun with making up atrocious ones. Our last name is an actual word so we can make some pretty good doozies. Don’t worry - we wouldn’t give them to an actual baby.
made me laugh when I was a kid and it still makes me laugh now!
LoL!
_____ Wayne _____
I have a cousin named Dick Ed.
When labeling a baby, envision them at 35 and focusing on their careers, children, marriage, and their own personal identity. A name should not burden them, or pre label them, think “Sunshine” “Woodstock”, “Latisha”, “Chastity”.
One of my uncles was named Homer..my father Owen..my father was named..after..the family name of an ancestor who married his great grandfather. Her name was Emily Owen.
Emily married a man..who joined the Confederate Army.
So I guess I'd just name him Ruh Roh.
Good thinking! LoL
Daddy!!!
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?
LoL!
Friends of ours have two daughters. “Annie and Clarabelle”.
Anyone with young children will know the significance....
They didn’t realize it until it was too late...
If I had a daughter i would name her Take. So for the rest of her life she would be known as...Miss.Take.
Believe me kids will still make fun of your name. I was Lucas Pukus, Lucas Mucus.
I know a man named that.
Doesnt seem to hinder him
Lookie Wookie?
Better than Mrs Damark
Biggest chuckle of the night. :)
Then there are the truly lamentable ones that were just overlooked like P.J. Thomas or I.P. Freely
Never a Wayne and never a Jr.
“Never begin a first name with the syllable La- or Da- or Ka- or Ta- and never put a capital letter in the middle of a name.”
Apostrophes are a surefire branding, too. The only way the kid gets out of that is becoming a pro-bowler.
If I name my son Woops and my daughter Watery Tart I'm pretty sure they will take care of me before either one turns 18 ...
...and they won't be tried as adults. ;^)
Jose Maria Juan Carlos Hipolito Moran de Guzman el moron
I can’t tell you home many times I have had people say to me “Luke I am your father”
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