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The Name Game: How to Go About Naming Your Child

ByLorenzo FernandezJune 1, 2023
pregnant woman with different baby names on belly
Throughout your child’s life, there are several things you give them. For starters, you technically give them their life. You also give them things like their education, the home they live and grow up in, and the values that they’ll eventually be building on. However, among the many things you’ll be giving them throughout their life, there’s probably one that mamas give lots of thought about before they’re even born. This would be their name.
If you think about it, your little one’s name is one of the first few things you give them the moment they enter this world. It’s also one of those things that will stick with them for the rest of their life. So, it makes perfect sense why mamas give their baby’s names so much thought.
Sometimes, you might think that thinking about a name shouldn’t be too hard. But, when you really sit down and try to figure out what name will best fit them, you’l realize that it’s a lot more work than it’s made out to be. Some could argue it’s one of the hardest things you have to do as a parent. If you find yourself in this predicament, you don’t have to worry though. We understand that it can be hard. So, we figured we’d give you a few pointers to help guide you! That way, it’ll at least be easier when you finally decide to give your little one their name.

The Name Game

Names are tied with a person’s identity, if not a significant part of it. As such, it makes sense that having a really nice name may have a more positive influence on your identity, such as how you identify yourself and how people identify you. So, it should go without saying that the name you give should be one that your child will be glad to have.
With that in mind, we have a few pointers you can use as a guide should the time come that you decide on a name. This isn’t to say that this is the only way you should do it. This is here to just help you know where to start and where to go from there!

Will Pop Culture Play a Role?

Off the top of your head, when you think about names for kids, you might think of a name that’s prevalent in pop culture. From your favorite characters from a book or a movie to names of icons, there are many names that may seem appealing to name your little one. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. If anything, pop culture-related names can at least give you a list to start with. Plus, if you think about it, pop culture names become popular because people have many reasons to love those names.

Are You Naming Them After a Family Member?

On the other hand, some mamas may consider naming their little ones after a family member. This is also something worth considering. There are many reasons why you might want to name them after a family member. For example, they might be very special to you and you want to honor them in some way by naming your baby after them. It could also be a tradition in your family. Whatever the case, naming your little one after a family member—or at least a variation of their name—can give you a few options to choose from too. That makes the process a little less difficult.

Will They Be Able To Take It With Them to Adulthood?

Once you’ve got a few names you’re considering, it’s time to figure out if it’s something that’ll work. There are many ways to do this. For starters, you can think about whether or not it’s a name that they’ll be able to use when they’re older. This is because not all names may really grow with your children. Some names may only really seem like good ideas when your child’s still a baby. However, as they get older, they may end up outgrowing that name. Iff this is the case, maybe it’s better to pick another name.

Do The Nicknames Appeal to You?

Another way to figure out if a name is something you’d want to give your child, you can think about the possible nicknames that’ll come from it. If Robert sounds like a good name for you, but you don’t really like the nickname “Bob,” then that may be a sign that you should consider other names. While it sounds like too simple of a guide, it’s worth considering that nicknames may end up being used more. So, if the nickname sounds like nails to a chalkboard, you may really want to reconsider.

Would You Want That Name?

One more way to check if you want to give your child a certain name would be to see if it’s something you’d want to have. This is probably one of the best ways to help you decide. If you don’t like a name and couldn’t imagine yourself having that, then chances are your child wouldn’t want that either. It’s simple, but it makes perfect sense, right?
Giving your baby a name can be one of the first few more difficult choices you’ll make as a mama. While it may seem like an exaggeration, there are various consequences that come with the name you choose. It might seem a little extreme to call it a consequence, however, the name you choose for your child may have an impact on the latter part of their lives.
So, when considering a name for your child, it’s important to really give it some thought. That way, you won’t regret it and neither will your child. Plus, you can at least be certain that the name’s something well thought of. If you’re having trouble figuring this out, you can always use the few pointers we gave here as a guide. You’ll at least be certain that you’ll make a more informed decision by doing so!
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