Settling on just the right name for your baby can be a real challenge. Keep in mind that the name you choose will stick with your child for the rest of his or her entire life -- from kindergarten to senior citizen. So avoid names like “Moonbeam,” which may sound cute for a toddler, but a little strange for an adult – unless, of course, they plan to join a commune or cult. If you’re expecting twins, triplets or more, avoid thematic names like April, May and June. And try not to get overly creative with spelling—Jymmie won’t make your child more unique and it will create all sorts of headaches later on as he moves through various bureaucratic systems.
Generally speaking, short names go better with long last names and vice versa. For girls, you
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may want to Google your choice to make sure the name isn’t being used by strippers or porn stars. Consider names of relatives -- past or present -- you want to honor, or historic names that mean something special to you. Browse your family tree for a list of names. And be mindful of abbreviations as well: combinations like Anne Susan Smith won’t serve your daughter well. Try sounding out the name several times to make sure it sounds good with your last name. Don’t forget that a lot of people like to shorten longer first names, so make sure the shorter name agrees with your last name. Also, avoid naming your children with the same initials—John, Joyce, Jane can get confusing in certain circumstances like letters and invitations. And most importantly, pick a name you both agree on. It’s surprising how many spouses “settle” for a name.
Deciding when to reveal the name and share it with relatives can be tricky. If your relatives are the strict “family tree” type with preset ideas for each generation, you might want to share the name with them to avoid any unpleasant surprises. If, on the other hand, your relatives are more flexible and informal, you can spring the new name on them after it’s official.
BABY NAMES 
by Alex A. Kecskes
