Selecting Baby Names

Choosing a baby name can cause great anxiety for parents-to-be. That’s unfortunate, since the time spent anticipating the arrival of your new child—whether it be by birth or adoption—should be special.

Relax and take this advice: A name is the first gift you will give your child. Like any gift, simply give it from your heart. Choose it selflessly, knowing that it is your child who will wear your choice.

The “right” name is one you admire as you practice writing it in the doctor’s waiting room. It’s one that makes you proud the first time you see it crayoned in a child’s scraggly hand. It’s one that your child recites confidently to a new friend on the playground and later to his or her first employer and first love.

Use Your Sense and Your Senses

Practical Tips for Baby Naming

How does it sound to your ear?

Is it harsh or pleasant? Compelling or unremarkable? Are the sounds comfortable to the English-speaking ear or does it use letter combinations that are difficult to pronounce? Does it sound compatible with the surname? Do the first and last names flow, or do they sound awkward and result in a rhyme or pun? Notice how names may seem better balanced when the number of syllables in the first and last is unequal. Call the name out loud. Pretend the name is yours and introduce yourself. Recite the name in a row with your other children’s names.

How does it look to your eye?

Written language is beautiful. The flow of letters and syllables is part of the quality of a name. Does your name choice look well written? Does it follow predictable spelling patterns? Picture it in a newspaper article or on a diploma or business card.

What does it evoke in your mind?

It’s very enjoyable to know the original meaning of a name—especially when it is a very positive one. However, when picking a name, it’s the connotation that has more influence over your child rather than the literal meaning. Does it evoke the positive image you want for your child or does it invite ridicule? Does it bear the weight of a well-known personality, character, product or place with the same name? What baggage does the name carry that your child will have to unload during his or her lifetime? If you are worried about associations you don’t know about, you can search for the name in Google. (However, don’t get carried away by every person who has your child’s name!)

How does it feel in your heart?

A name doesn’t need to honor a member of your family, commemorate a life event, or remind you of your favorite book. But if these things inspire your choice, all the better. Sometimes, it is enough simply to choose a beautiful name that conjures a vision of the life you wish for your child. Think twice if you find yourself defending your choice. “Defending” is not the same as telling how you arrived at the name—the latter being an enjoyable part of naming. Rather, defending happens when you anticipate a disappointing reaction—either in yourself or others—so you explain it away: “Her name is ‘Madison’ but I really wanted ‘Madeline’ except there was already a Madeline on our block. Oh well, we’ll probably just call her ‘Maddie’ anyway.” Pick the name that feels right to you.

Unlike a surname, our first name give us a personal identity; it’s what makes us an individual and not just an anonymous member of a family or group. “Does your name shape your destiny?” asked a recent CNN article. The answer is that a name can be a burden or a boost. Pick wisely. Fortunately, there are abundant options! My Name for Life can help.

Joyful and Positive,
Not Anxious & Apprehensive

Stress-Free Naming Is the Goal

For parents-to-be, the weeks leading up to the arrival of a new infant is often fraught with pressure—including anxiety over the baby’s name. The pressure is compounded by growing evidence that a name influences how easily one navigates through life. Article excerpts heighten parental anxiety: Should we pick a name that helps our child fit in or stand out? At My Name for Life, we want parents to relax! Our goal is to help make naming one of the joys of expecting and not one of the stresses.

So what's the big deal about picking the right name? If some academic studies are correct, a name can have consequences for a person's job, residency and even school grades.

—CNN

Many parents have moved away from giving their children family or unisex names and want their youngsters to have names that stand out from the crowd—but not in a bad way.

—Reuters

Most observers say the parental anxiety—and the current interest in unusual names—should continue to grow . . . Others, citing the rising popularity of names like Sophie, Hannah, Violet and Emma, predict a return to the classics.

—The Wall Street Journal

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