As soon as you knew you were going to have a baby, you picked up a baby names dictionary.
Am I right? It's one of the first things new parents do! The thought of naming your child can be both daunting and exciting, and a baby names dictionary can help you find the perfect title for your little one.
However, there are some things to remember as you search for a name to fall in love with in the pages of the baby names dictionary.
Consider each of the names you will give your child.
Your surname is a given, but what about the first and middle names? They should sound appropriate when spoken together, look good when written on a page, and spell out initials that will not be a nasty surprise later.
A name that spells out the words MAD or FAT will probably wind up getting your child teased mercilessly in school.
Say the names out loud.
You need to know how your baby's name will sound! It might look beautiful on paper and have a very special meaning to you, but if the words don't flow together well, your child will likely wind up abbreviating the name or using a nickname instead - which makes the beautiful name you have chosen a moot point.
Make sure you say it out loud, not only to yourself, but to others who will give you an objective opinion on whether or not it sounds appealing.
Watch your pronunciation.
Some people believe that by giving their child a common name but a strange spelling, they are bestowing something unique enough to get noticed.
But when you substitute one vowel for another or even swap consonants around, you could be setting yourself up for a pronunciation problem later on.
Make sure your name choice is easily read by someone who is unfamiliar with it, and then ask them to pronounce the name to you.
If the pronunciation is consistently wrong, then you probably need to go back to the drawing board.
Don't be enchanted by trendy names, or even by the most unusual name you find.
While celebrities seem to love naming their children things that stand out, many of those young starlets later say they hate the names their parents gave them.
Some go so far as to legally change those names! So make sure that what you choose will not be too unique for a child to handle.
There is a baby names dictionary for every kind of name, whether you are looking for something Irish or something that reflects an Aboriginal culture.
When choosing a baby names dictionary, make certain that it contains a wide variety of name choices, includes those from different cultures or traditions, and includes detailed explanations of name meanings.
Naming your baby is one of the most exciting parts of your pregnancy.
Take this time to find a good baby names dictionary and start searching for the baby name of your dreams!