How To Choose Your Baby Boys Name

These include:

if you wanted the name shortened or not

family traditions/members

naming them after someone

what the name really means

what the name represents

* Fashion trends and fads

* The sex of the baby

To get ideas, just listen everywhere you go and write down any names that appeal to you. If you'd like your family to get involved or perhaps input some names they like, ask them, they'll probably be only too happy to do so.

Once you've found a few names you both like, look up the names in a name dictionary. This will list many popular names, plus where they originated from and what they mean.

Remember that the child will have the name for their whole life. Write it down with the surname, does it look and sound good? If your daughter ever got married, would it sound good with many different surnames?

Think about stereotypes. For instance Jack will be associated with Mr Micholson, the famous actor, Mickey like the mouse etc. If you are going to name you child after a famous person think about if you will still like the person in ten/twenty years time. Do you just like the name from where is comes from or stands for or do you actually like the name?

If you like the name Anthony, but wouldn't like it being shortened to Ant think again. Remember that later in life it will probably be shortened by friends or even relatives, so in effect you have to like both names really before you commit. If you don't like the shortened version, look for something else. Most names, (even the ones you'd think couldn't be) can be shortened.

When it comes to intervention by well-meaning parents, try to remind them that in the end it is your decision. Don't put up with or agree to a name you don't like just to keep the peace, you'll regret it in the end - choose a name you will like for life - because that's how long it will last.