Picking the right name
What to call the little soul growing inside you can cause problems before he and she is even born. Finding a name that both Mum and Dad agree on can be much harder than you ever imagined. But at least if you start discussing it early, you may just about find one you both like – at least for your first baby!
The decision is yours…….
What’s most important is to ignore advice from family and friends. This baby is yours and your partner’s. The only people who have to like (or preferably love) the name are the two of you (and hopefully your child).
But it might be wise to remember the following….
The style of name: what kind of names do you actually like?
Do you favour the biblical or religious (David, Mary or Mohammed) or contemporary (Scarlet, Lola or Ethan)? Remember that fashions can change (there are an awful lot of children, born in the late 80s, who are called Kylie and Jason).
Do you want something unusual (actress Gretchen Mol has just given birth to her son, Ptolemy John) or something where the child will easily fit in? Jack has been the most popular name in the UK since the start of the 21st century. But if it’s a name you love, then you might have to get used to hearing your child called by his first name and the first initial of his surname!
In recent years, old-fashioned names like Ruby, Alfie, Ella and Grace, have become hugely popular. Many of these were common at the beginning of the 20th century. This suggests that soon, names from the next generation along (the 1930s) may well experience a comeback. Perhaps you should get ahead of the game by having a Joan, Shirley or Victor!
Strange spellings
Don’t burden your child with strange spelling – unless you really have to.
Does your Rebekkah really have to be spelt like that? Couldn’t a more traditional spelling do? After all, the sound of the name remains the same. And it's your child who'll have to live with the misspellings, not you.
Surname sounds
It’s sensible to sound out the name you’ve chosen for your child along with his surname (and remember that this may not be your surname, but your partner’s).
For example, Jack may be your most favourite name, but does Jack Jackson really sound that great? If nothing else, it makes you sound pretty unoriginal. What about Ruby Reed or Claire Blair? Rhyming names are rarely a good idea, but longer names often sound good with short surnames.
You also need to take care of initials. Barry Oliver Gordon could get quite a bit of teasing at school just because of what his initials spell. Barry David Gordon will probably be okay.
Remember that your child will grow up
Some names sound sweet on a baby, but may not seem quite so appealing on a nuclear scientist (Professor Bluebell Madonna Halliwell anyone?). This may not bother you, but it may bother your child. It may also explain why so many parents call their children by one name (Jamie, for example) but actually Christen them with the full version, James, to be used on more important occasions.
Family pressure.
You may be under pressure to include a “family name”. If it’s something you don’t like, you could stand your ground, or compromise. One suggestion might be to agree to use your great grandpa's name, but as a middle name. Another possible compromise could be to use the initial of the name demanded, rather than the full name (Steven rather than Sidney, for example).
Meaning
Most names mean something. Some are appealing (Ruben means “Behold, a son”, for example, which may be perfect for a boy born after two sisters, while Ryan means “king.”) Others are less so.
Whatever you choose, make sure you love it. After all, you’ll all be living with it for some time to come!
Top 10 names for girls and boys born in England and Wales
(source: ONS, 2006)
- Olivia Jack
- Grace Thomas
- Jessica Joshua
- Ruby Oliver
- Emily Harry
- Sophie James
- Chloe William
- Lucy Samuel
- Lily Daniel
- Ellie Charlie