Daydreaming about names for your babe?
Whether you think you have the perfect name picked out for your
little bean or you don’t want to commit until you see baby’s precious face,
make sure that the name you choose will withstand the test of time throughout
your child’s development from infancy to adulthood.
It may seem trivial in the long run, but research shows that
an individual’s name can have a lasting impact on the quality of their life.
A child’s self-esteem
may partially depend on how much they like their name.
Additionally, children’s behavior and academic tendencies in
school appear to be related to their given names. (No pressure!)
Names can also play a role in our lives as adults. Research
shows that important
life decisions, such as what state to live in or what career path to
follow, may be implicitly impacted by an individual’s name.
It’s true. There
are more dentists named Dennis and lawyers named Lawrence than other
occupations…and guess what state you can find more Virginias living in…
Our names don’t just impact our own behaviors. They can
impact the behaviors of others around us. Teachers and employers may treat individuals
differently based on their names, making assumptions based on nothing more than
the combination of a few letters.
Based on these findings, it’s no wonder you want to choose
the perfect name for your perfect little sweet pea. Before you put pen to
paper, make sure it’s the name by
taking it for a test drive first.
Make a monogram.
From
your babe’s first backpack to their wedding invitations, monograms are a tried
and true way to beautify your child’s initials.
At some point in your child’s
future, you will almost certainly get a chance to see how lovely those intertwined
letters look. Get a sneak peek by testing possible initials with different
styles of classic monograms at Mark
and Graham.
Google it!
Before
you inadvertently choose a name that belongs to someone famous (or infamous), try
searching for the first and middle name or full name online.
You may get an
idea of how “taken” the name is if your favorite search engine completes the
name before you even finish typing it.
Your child’s name should
inspire a new identity. Whether you want your child’s name to stand out or to
fit in with other peers’ names, it may be easier for your child to feel secure
in their identity if they don’t feel overshadowed by someone who shares the
same moniker.
The image of a timid teenage boy named George Michael comes to
mind. *wink*
One Frappuccino coming right up!
Head to your favorite coffee bar and order a
drink with baby’s name.
Does the barista spell it right? How easy is it to pronounce?
Do you notice any strange looks from fellow latte-sippers?
Seeing baby’s name
written and hearing it spoken out loud by someone who is unbiased may open your
eyes to possible pitfalls with the name.
For instance, research shows that
children who have names with unconventional spellings may have more
trouble learning to read and spell than children with conventionally
spelled names.
Check its historical significance.
Social
Security keeps a registry
of the historical popularity of baby names since 1900.
The registry will show
you which years your chosen name has been the most popular and will let you
know how many years it didn’t make the cut for the top 1000 names.
You can also
use the tool to compare how popular gender neutral names are for boys and girls
separately.
This tool is more than handy. It’s downright addictive. Try not to
lose a whole Sunday testing out names!
Visualize it.
Sure,
you can write it, say it, or read it, but to visualize a name means to close your eyes and see what comes to
mind when you think about it.
Do you see what your future child might look
like? Do you envision happiness? Can you see yourself calling your child by
that name or by an accompanying nickname?
If you are having trouble picturing
what life might be like with that name, check out this site for
testing baby names with a list of everyday phrases incorporating the name. So. Much. Fun.
At the end of the day, choose a name that you believe will
inspire joy and wonder in your child.
If you know in your heart that you have
chosen the right name, we say go for it.
You and baby are already connected,
after all. If you feel butterflies at the sound of a name, that may just be
your little babe sharing their excitement!
