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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: TheDingoAteMyBaby

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.


21 posted on 04/17/2011 12:11:04 AM PDT by TheDingoAteMyBaby
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To: shibumi
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.

Ditto for name endings.

22 posted on 04/17/2011 12:11:15 AM PDT by Barnacle (Is treason a high crime or misdemeanor?)
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To: mylife

I know which Dr. Seuss story you’ve been reading! :)


23 posted on 04/17/2011 12:11:46 AM PDT by Yaelle
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby
If your last name was Freud would it be wrong to name your son Pink?

Would it be even worse if his mother were Asian?

24 posted on 04/17/2011 12:11:59 AM PDT by TigersEye (Who crashed the markets on 9/15/08 and why?)
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby

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.


25 posted on 04/17/2011 12:13:10 AM PDT by Yaelle
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To: Yaelle

made me laugh when I was a kid and it still makes me laugh now!


26 posted on 04/17/2011 12:14:28 AM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: TigersEye

LoL!


27 posted on 04/17/2011 12:16:05 AM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: anton
Prison attracts the names Dashawn, Rashawn, and Rayshawn.

_____ Wayne _____

28 posted on 04/17/2011 12:19:03 AM PDT by re_nortex (DP...that's what I like about Texas.)
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To: MindBender26

I have a cousin named Dick Ed.


29 posted on 04/17/2011 12:20:15 AM PDT by John Valentine
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To: TigersEye

30 posted on 04/17/2011 12:20:21 AM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby

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”.


31 posted on 04/17/2011 12:21:34 AM PDT by ansel12 ( JIM DEMINT "I believe [Palins] done more for the Republican Party than anyone since Ronald Reagan")
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby

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.


32 posted on 04/17/2011 12:23:01 AM PDT by bushpilot1
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To: mylife
If I had a son I would probably expect him to be a lot like me.

So I guess I'd just name him Ruh Roh.

33 posted on 04/17/2011 12:24:15 AM PDT by TigersEye (Who crashed the markets on 9/15/08 and why?)
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To: TigersEye

Good thinking! LoL


34 posted on 04/17/2011 12:25:33 AM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: mylife

Daddy!!!


35 posted on 04/17/2011 12:25:40 AM PDT by TigersEye (Who crashed the markets on 9/15/08 and why?)
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To: max americana

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?


36 posted on 04/17/2011 12:25:44 AM PDT by golux
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To: TigersEye

LoL!


37 posted on 04/17/2011 12:27:29 AM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby

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...


38 posted on 04/17/2011 12:27:44 AM PDT by moehoward
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby

If I had a daughter i would name her Take. So for the rest of her life she would be known as...Miss.Take.


39 posted on 04/17/2011 12:28:00 AM PDT by BigCinBigD (Northern flags in South winds flutter...)
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To: TheDingoAteMyBaby

Believe me kids will still make fun of your name. I was Lucas Pukus, Lucas Mucus.


40 posted on 04/17/2011 12:28:10 AM PDT by LukeL (Barack Obama: Jimmy Carter 2 Electric Boogaloo)
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