How do you pick a name?

How difficult was it for you to pick a name?  For some parents, it takes no time at all.  They already have an idea of what they like or perhaps they are using a family name and there was no need to further discuss the issue.  More often than not, though, that's not what you hear about.  Parents talk about their struggle to pick the right name.  Some spend the entire 9 months looking and still haven't chosen a name by the time they go to the hospital.  There's also the issue of one parent immediately having a set of names that are top picks and the other parents shoots everyone of them down.  I can't tell you how many lists I've made in the past trying to pick a baby name.  Each time, I end up with a couple that Steve would even entertain. 

So, with so many names to choose from and so many factors making it that much more difficult, how do you choose a name?  There are many lists of ideas on what should be considered when choosing a name, but here are some of my favorite things to consider:


1) Make a list of names that have a special meaning to you.  It could be a family name, the name of a hero, or a name with a particular meaning.  If its special to you, its like to be special to your child as well.

2) Does the name sound good with your last name?  Carter is a cool name, but pair it with a last name like Calder and it just sounds silly.

3) Make sure the initials aren't ripe for the teasing.  Are you gonna name a girl Ashley Susanne Smith?  I hope not.  Also, do you want all of your children to have a name that begins with the same letter?

4) Will the name age well?  Princess may work for you now, but it's not going to sounds quite so cute when Princess is 30.

5) How do you feel about gender lines in naming?  There are lots of gender neutral names and plenty of names with a certain gender association that are making the switch, but how do you feel about all of that?

6) How badly do you want your child to have a unique name?  You can pick a less popular name or you can change the spelling of a name, but keep in mind that some obscure names or names spelled differently from the normal might cause your child grief later.  (I know this because there's a lot of different ways that people spell Kristi)

7) Above all else, make sure you AND your partner love the name.  Don't just settle on a name because you're sick of looking or tired of arguing.  The right one is out there and if you start early, you have a lot of time to find it!


To recap, meaning, last name compatibility, initials, name aging, gender association, uniqueness, and, most of all, mutual love of the name!

PS: If you found a name you and your partner love, STOP LOOKING! There's always going to be other names. I find myself having to beat this into my own head.