THE NAMESAKE
NEED SOME BABY-NAMING GUIDANCE? HERE'S YOUR HOW-TO FOR FINDING A  MONIKER
WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF MOXIE

Baby frames monogrammed with “Apple,”, “Avis,” “Ever”
and “Ptolemy” may glitter on celebs’ mantles like last year’s
Golden Globes, but what will make your baby’s name shine?
Choosing a baby name isn’t actually child’s play. Firstly,
you’ve got your own personal faves to weigh along with
your spouse’s, not to mention cultures and religions to honor,
plus your family’s two—or ten—cents. (Choosing between iconic
Pampers Cruisers or Earth-friendly Seventh Generation was easier, by far!)

Yes, that one, true name will be said out loud from homeroom roll calls to graduation ceremonies, from playgrounds to playing fields. It will be printed on everything from first job resumes to marriage certificates, and can build or erode self-esteem for years to come. Basically, this name will define your child forever—for better or for worse.

So, settling on that special one takes research, compromise, reflection, a few trips down memory lane, finesse—and of course, a smidgen of vision and common sense. Here’s how to keep your mind sane, your marriage sound, the fun bubbling up and—most important.y—the sanctity of your child’s spirit intact.

WHAT TO CONSIDER...

Goooal!
Think about your goal. Are you aiming for a name that is unique and über-creative or are you bringing classic back? Are you thinking trendy or retro? How about a name with cultural or religious significance? Or are you looking for a name with an ultra-feminine, alpha-male or a unisex overtone? Or do you want to convey a certain theme or feeling? Like Grace, after a difficult pregnancy, or Faith, after a long journey to motherhood, or Poppy, after a smooth one. Perhaps you just want your child’s first name to sound good with the last name. No matter what your motivation may be, thinking about these possibilities and ascertaining your ultimate goal is the best place to start.

To All the Names You've Loved Before
List all of the names that you and your partner have previously liked or loved, thus far. Be sure to include family names, themes, seasons and nature, even geographic locations that you’ve visited or that have special meaning. The list is a terrific brainstorming tool to calibrate what names you both like, what names can be crossed off and what names you might be able to creatively fuse together.

Sound System
Are you into alliteration? You know when the first and last names start with the same letters or sound like Helen Hunt, Janet Jackson, George Jefferson and Calvin Klein. Or what do you think about your baby’s first name ending with the same sound as heard in beginning of the last name like Shelly Yates? It almost sounds like one word—are you into it?

What about a good rhyme?
Rhyming couplets are one thing when they show up in a John Mayer song or Elizabeth Barrett Browning sonnet, but in your child’s name (think: Kaylee Bailey), well, not so much. You might want to leave the rhyming to the musicians.

Sound it out.
Consider whether or not the name is fairly manageable to pronounce when read aloud. You want to be sure your child’s teachers, friends, supervisors and resume readers won’t need a pronunciation key. And your little one has many more important things to say then spending a lifetime repeating his name for others.

Size matters.
Think about how long your child's full name will be. Multi-syllabic first and last names is not only a mouthful but may also be time-consuming to say, read and write. Grace Carpenter or Lisa Papadopoulos may be more manageable than Alexandria Christensen. Your formula for success is to pair a short first name with a longer last name or vice versa or go for the already well-matched duo of a two-syllabic first and last name.

Say it loud and proud.
Say your baby’s first name out loud many, many, many times. See if it’s a name you actually enjoy saying, especially on repeat. Next, make sure all the names flow nicely together, including the middle name.

Growing old together
Consider if your child’s name is age-appropriate. Some names are perfect for toddlers, but isn’t what you envision a 20-, 30- or even 60-year old adult.

But what does it mean?
When naming your child, think about all the possible meanings. Jezebel is a warm, unique name, but its historical reference may be a bit more, uh, open and shut than you’d like your daughter to be.

Me too!
Going totally traditional or popular for your child’s name may mean that other kids have that name too. Brittany P., Britney A., and Brittney Y. may all end up having a play date together. Do you really want all of them to come running when Brittany P.'s mom calls for just her?

Spellbound
A different spelling of a particular name may make your child stand out, but it can also turn into an ordeal when it comes to paperwork and correcting people.

A note on nicknames
Your son may want to shorten his name later on so think about names that mesh well with his last name. Richard Seaman is stately, but what if he wants to be called Dick?

We are fa-mi-ly
You love that your first child now has a perpetual playmate, so when naming your new baby imagine calling them for chores: can you say their names seamlessly or do you get tripped up? Do both children’s names sound too similar? This stumble is especially important to keep in mind for twins or multiples.

Pick one . . . or two of three
Congratulations, you’ve settled on the ideal name for your new baby. But wait—he doesn’t really look like a Joshua. Keep handy two or three alternate names that you love just (or almost) as much. You and your spouse might be inspired at the last minute and have a change of heart—especially when you hold your baby for the very first time.

We’re in this love together
So you’ve always loved the name Isabella – it’s just that gorgeous. But keep in mind that it’s important you and your partner agree. It’ll take two of you to raise your child, so it takes two of you to name your child.

WHAT TO RESIST...

Celeb-coveting
Celebs have a lock on creative names—case in point: Harlow Winter Kate (Nicole Ritchie), Suri (TomKat), Shiloh Nouvel (Brangelina), Jessie James (Diddy), Thijs (Matt Lauer), Johnnie Rose (Melissa Etheridge), Heaven Rain (Brooke Burke), Angel Iris (Spice Girl Melanie Brown). But unusual names are no surprise in a surreal, unusual world. For you and your real-life baby, you may want to resist the celeb-luxe moniker. Here’s why: you don’t want to look like a star-stalker; can you imagine your investment banker daughter named Princess or professor son Ptolemy being taken seriously? That’s a lot of hype to live up to.

Trend-obsessing
When it comes to your new baby, you might want to reconsider the unisex, stylized name trend. Not only may your child’s name be dated in the future, but it may be hard to tell whether Jordan S., Jordan P. or Jordan K. is a boy or girl.

The tease-, cruel-, and joke-worthy
When playing the name game—as your child’s elementary school playground-mates are sure to do—steer clear of all acronyms, nicknames, puns and initials that may have lewd, crude or cruel connotations. Katharine Kay Kringle’s initials could offend and Jack Offutt’s nickname may make him wish he could change what’s on his birth certificate. Guess what? With his parent’s permission, he can.

So, whether you wait to see your little one’s face or decide months in advance, choosing your baby’s name is a daunting responsibility. Keep in mind that while it is about what you like, ultimately, it is all about your child. Think of it like this: a good name is your first, most special gift to your baby—words that will last a lifetime.

WORDS TO LIVE BY
NEED SOME NAME NOURISHMENT? CHECK OUT THESE LABEL CONSICOUS BOOKS

	The Baby Name Wizard: A Magical Method for Finding the Perfect Name for Your Baby by Laura Wattenberg ($10.36, www.amazon.com). A TFG fave, this book is accessible guide shares the inside scoop, fun variations and commentary on each name.     The Complete Book of Baby Names by Lesley Bolton ($10.36, www.amazon.com) This in-depth, comprehensive guide covers baby-naming from the historical to the hip.

The Everything Baby Names Book by June Rifkin ($10.17, www.amazon.com) A big, colorful how-to, chock full of fun facts and offbeat lists like “What Rock Stars Name Their Kids.”     And if you’re really stuck . .   The Complete Idiot’s Guide to 30,000 Baby Names by Marcia Layton Turner and Robbi Hess ($10.85, www.amazon.com). Don’t let the title fool you. This tightly-focused guide is heavy on engaging, helpful lists and includes last name features —as well as some silly moments to keep things light.