Baby Care

Choosing a name for your baby is a very important and lifelong decision!

So what are the factors that need to be considered when choosing a name?

1. Choose names both you and your partner like and make a list. Refer to it occasionally to see if you continue to feel the same way! You will probably add/delete/amend this list many times-it will be a work in progress!
2. Give thought to whether you want your child’s name to be traditional or alternative or different. You may want to name your child after someone- perhaps a special relative or friend or you might use you or your partner’s own names or variations of. You may like the more old fashioned names or perhaps make up your own! You may also want to consider names that reflect your cultural heritage.
3. Look closely at initials and if they spell out something undesirable- think again! You do not want your child to be the subject of cruel name calling because of your inattention to this!
4. Look for names that have interesting meanings or sentimental significance. It is nice for children to have a story attached to how they acquired their name.Repeat the full name including surname over and over again to make sure it doesn’t sound/rhyme with anything you may not want it to! Do the same with the first initial and surname and initials. You could save a lot of heartache! It is also important that the name flows. Write it down, say it and think of any rhyming words!
5. Think about the nicknames your child may be called or whether the name can be shortened. Does it still sound ok with your surname? Do you like the short version? Chances are that your child will at some stage be called the short version regardless of whether you want them to or not!
6. Think about the spelling too. It might be trendy to have different spelling but it can also mean a lot of correcting, spelling out and frustration for your child.