o it’s your turn to name a baby!! I bet you never thought it'd come so soon!
Just like your parents before you and billions of people before them your turn has finally come around to think of a name or two for your unborn child!
So, is it really that important? Well, YES it really is. Imagine if your parents had called you Gertrude, Randolf, Godfrey, Paulette or Gwendolyn. No one wants their child to be laughed at at school. No child wants to spend his time all alone in the playground as the other kids exclude them from their games – simply because you called him Annabelle. Now there’s nothing wrong with the name Anabelle but just don’t give that name to your son – it will have harmful side effects!
So, chose wisely. It’s not a decision you should make after a heavy night on the town, or during a big bong session at your mates place. Here is a simple list for guidance…
1. Choose a boys name for a boy and a girls name for a girl
This may sound like common sense but over the years there have been many parents that have failed at this very first hurdle. What were Alice Coopers parents thinking?! Paris Hilton!! Surely Paris is a boys name? Well it used to be. Ashley? Chris? Try not to confuse your child!2. Whatever you do, don’t name the child after the place where it was conceived
Yes, yes, the Beckhams chose Brooklyn as the name for their first born. Who are they trying to kid? The Bronx would have been much cooler name – and he could have grown up to be a wrestler. Anyway, if the place of conception genuinely happened to have been somewhere with a name befitting a person then by all means – but don’t try and fool everyone by pretending that you conceived in Paris, Adelaide or Sienna when it was really Skegness, Cancun or Bangkok.3. Remember, you’re not a Hollywood movie star
Don’t pretend that you are by naming your child something very unfortunate like Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily, Fifi-Trixibelle, Apple, or Prince Michael Jackson III. While the attention may have been on you for a few months and you and your partner may think you’re Brad and Angelina, when was the last time Hello or Vanity Fair magazine was buzzing at your gate with a blank cheque? Please don’t make a freak of your child!4. Only choose ONE name
You may really like two names and just can’t decide between them but please resist the temptation of giving your child two names. It’s not big and it’s not clever. Sue-Ellen, Mary Lou, Suellen, Julyann, Jean-Claude and Julie-Anne, may sound funky to you, but it’s seriously going to really annoy your child. Does it have a hyphen? Is it two words? Is it one word? You may not realise this annoyance for his first few years but just wait til he's old enough to drive your brand new car!5. Don’t try and design a brand new name
Your child isn’t a new designer label or model of car – it’s a living person, with emotions and feelings. There are already thousands and thousands of names in existence. Don’t be the cause of school yard bullying – select a nice name from a list (boys or girls) instead of making up a new one of your own. It’s not fun to have to spell your name EVERY time you say it!6. Natural names are great but please respect Mother Nature!
Names like Sky, Blossom, Summer, Lily, and Rose are great. But please be sensible… names like Tree, Swamp, Boulder, and Tectonic Plate are not such clever choices.7. Remember the initials!
Your child’s first name, middle name and surname will create his or her initials. Try not to spell out something embarrassing. Fiona Ulrika Kennedy and Travis Ian Thompson may sound like lovely names in theory but please - just be careful.8. Don't forget to consider your surname
Some of us have surnames that are very similar to common first names. In these situations it is highly recommended to steer clear of the first name that most resembles your surname. This may sound like common sense but try telling that to the parents of Michael Michaelson, Edward Woodward, or William Williams.
