Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Choosing Your Baby's Name

One of the most exciting parts of becoming a parent is deciding what to name your baby.

It can also be one of the hardest things to choose. After all, your baby will have this name forever!

Choosing your little one's name doesn't have to be too tough, however, especially not with the wide variety of names to choose from.

More and more parents are going for unique names and moving away from rigid traditional naming customs - though if you love a traditional or family name - use it!

Starting with a Favorite

First you should decide if there are any names that are important to you (or to your partner). Is there a family name that you definitely want to use? A name that you've been hoping to use for your first baby? A name that you've heard that you just love?

Two of my children were named long before they were a twinkle in Daddy's eye - my daughter is named after an delightful little girl I babysat and my oldest son is named after a character in one of my favorite books.

If there is a name that is very important to you, choose to have that name as a first or a middle name. Sometimes the meaning of a name may be very important to you. You can always make that name a middle name even if you don't want it for a first name.

Starting from Scratch!

But what if you don't have a name for your little one? Where should you start? A great place to go is a listing of popular baby names. You can find these lists in many baby magazines, and on the US Social Security Administration website. That will give you a good idea of what baby names are popular.

Other places to look are the many baby name books on the market.

Make a list of the baby names that you love, like, and think you might like to name a child. Have your partner do the same, and then you can begin to narrow your lists down. If there are names both of you like you can begin a third list.

You might also consider a theme, such as nature names, biblical names, or even the names of Nobel Prize winners! Anything to help get your thoughts moving.

Even if you come to your baby's birthday with nothing more than a list, rest assured that when you see your baby you will probably know a name that fits! And there's nothing wrong with waiting a little while before you decide for sure. My third baby was nameless for his first few hours - as we got to know him a little better and finally decided on a name.

You'll be able to pick a name and it will suit your baby well. Even if family or friends criticize your name choice it will quickly become the only name they could imagine for your child. Take the time to pick something special, or that you love the sound of, but don't stress about it! Your baby will develop a wonderful, unique personality to go with his or her name!