(1) Baby Name Meaning - If you choose a baby name with the baby name meaning being of high importance, remember the meaning of the name chosen, is an attribute that you wish for your child. It will not simply be instilled in them by the choosing of that name for your child. If your chosen baby name means “kind” understand that it is You that above all value kindness as a personal attribute, and thus you must show and teach your child kindness. If the baby name you chose has as its meaning “Brave” then likewise, you need to show them the difference between brave, and foolish, brave and bully etc,
(2) School – Kids can be cruel, and they’ll make fun of your child’s name no matter what, but its still worth doing a quick check to see if you’ve given them a name that will result in years of misery. Consider these gaffs.
Peter Enis. How often at school are lists done with the first name as an initial? P.Enis?
Wayne King. Now that’s just plain cruel. Or thoughtless, same goes for his friend Wayne Kerr.
Annette Eiter. Poor Ann, how many times were ants put in her lunch box?
How about these names?
Gaylord? - No commentary necessary
John. - Seems fine yes? Good strong religious name yes? Sure, but it also is slang for toilet, and client of a prostitute.
Ralph - Slang for vomit.
William - (willy)
Woody - (erect penis)
Likely your son will survive Richard(Dick) but may not thank you. I’m with a “Richard” and as I write this, he is shaking his head at the number of times in tech drawing class at school he was asked. “Can I borrow your pencil, Dick?. Have you got a rubber... Dick?
Just do a quick check. Make sure phonetically it’s not a disaster, think of what the name rhymes with and what it becomes when abbreviated.
(3) Celebrity Names – Are great, just don’t be too disappointed if your little Beyoncé can not hold a tune.
(4) How the name sounds. Personally, I think this is one of the most important factors in choosing a name. Say your prospective baby name 10 times, see how it rolls out. Get some friends to do it too.
(5) Family Names? Names like Eugene, Constance, Heime may be strong family names, but these need not be a family tradition you should foist on your child.
(6) The name is your child’s. Our name is such a fundamental part of who we are, yet someone else chooses it for us. Name your child knowing they will become themselves, no matter what name you choose for them, so choose a name that is theirs, not the name you would have for yourself.
