Decision Guide: Naming your baby

Decision Guide: Naming your baby

For many couples, settling on a name for their baby is one of the most fun parts of pregnancy. For others, it's a tortuous process of negotiation. Either way it's an important decision that will likely last a lifetime (unless your little one decides to rename himself along the way). Here are some important factors to consider when you're deciding on a name:

• Sound and compatibility. How your baby's name sounds when it's said aloud is one of the most essential things to think about. Is it melodious? Harsh? Does it go well with your last name? One thing to avoid: Choosing a first name that ends in the same sound as the beginning of your last name. Bradley Yardley and Sierra Adams don't exactly roll off the tongue.

• Uniqueness. An unusual name has the advantage of making your child stand out from the crowd. On the other hand, a name no one has heard of and few can pronounce can bring attention your child might rather avoid. Spelling variations can help make a name unique, but choosing a name with numerous spellings can sow confusion in your child's life for years to come.

• Relatives and friends. Many parents choose to name their babies after a grandparent, other relative, or close friend. Don't want too many Johns in your house? Look way back in your family tree for hidden treasures. And if you're worried about hurt feelings, consider a first name from one side of the family and a middle name from the other. According to a BabyCenter survey, middle names are a must for most parents; 98 percent give their child a middle name, with 7 percent of those parents giving their child two or more middle names.

• Ancestry and heritage. Your child's heritage is an essential part of who he is, and you may want his name to reflect that. Read history books focusing on your family's country of origin to find appropriate possibilities.

• Meaning. No one is likely to treat your daughter Ingrid differently because her name means "hero's daughter," but the derivation of your baby's name is something you may want to think about. Use BabyCenter's Baby Name tool to learn the meaning of over 5,000 names.

• Initials and nicknames. People, especially kids, can be cruel when it comes to nicknames, so try to anticipate any potentially embarrassing ones. Consider your child's initials as well, so you don't inadvertently saddle him with a doozy like Z.I.T. or P.E.E.

Our initials would be:
JHY
MEY
LHY

One of the best tests for a baby name is to yell it out loud, preferably at a playground. If you feel uncomfortable saying the name in that setting, it might not be the best choice.


• Many folks going through pregnancy like to refer to their growing baby by name — or nickname. What about you?

We call him/her Leon, Leona, Babar, Little Y, Baby Yesawich, Zygote to name a few

I think I felt the first little kicks today. While I was laying in bed this morning I felt these little taps on the inside of my lower abdomen. It's not a sensation I have felt before and it I think it was the first kicks.