Author: Trisha Leigh Zeigenhorn / Source: did you know?
Fifty or a hundred years ago, no one really minded giving their kid a name that tons of other kids had – staples like Michael and Mary not only topped the popularity lists, but were bestowed a far higher percentage of young ladies and gents than any of the top ranking names today.
Parents nowadays are looking for a moniker that won’t be called out more than once during first grade roll call…but how far is too far?
We would all do well to remember that you’re giving a name to a human being who has to live with it for the rest of their life, and go with my fallback mantra when naming characters for my books – different, but not weird.
Below are 7 other things to keep in mind when coming up with a name for your little bundle of joy, according to Sherri Suzanne, a baby name consultant and founder of My Name for Life.
#7. Is it too diminutive?
Remember that you’re not naming only a baby – he or she will, we certainly hope, one day also be an autonomous adult. That said, names that are cute for a toddler might not age all that well if your little bundle ends up holding a gavel or making a run at the presidency.
Suzanne suggests using the diminutive form as a nickname but allowing the child a formal name should he or she desire one at some point.
Example: Naming a girl Josephine and calling her Joey, Jojo, Josie, Jo etc as long as she’s okay with it.
#6. Consider your style.
Are you unusual? Classic? Trendy? The name you choose for your baby might just follow suit.
“I ask my clients to begin by observing name styles even before they need to choose – listen in stores, restaurants and parks as parents call to their children,” Suzanne says. “I ask parents to pay attention to their own visceral reaction to name styles and ask, ‘Am I drawn to contemporary names like Beckett and Harper? Do I feel more comfortable with familiar classics like Elizabeth or William?’”
Then, go from there.
#5. Do you agree with your partner?
You might not 100% agree…
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