Baby Trellis by Genevieve Gail at LookLoveSend.com
For many of us, naming baby can be fraught with uncertainty and disagreement. For others who follow strong family traditions, the path may be more clear, and naming made a bit easier (if while a little less original). You could find the perfect baby name just by envisioning how the name reads on your baby birth announcement cards. Or, you could also follow some of the most popular “naming rules” people follow.
We’ve compiled some common guidelines with help from authoritative sources like Nameberry.com and countless other bloggers. Check your own name ideas against these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to finding that perfect name for baby (and for your baby birth announcement cards!).
1. Steer clear of creative spellings and made-up names. Don’t make Krysti’s life difficult. Drenden would prefer to actually have a real name.
2. Choose a middle name with some meaning. What’s the point of a middle name if it doesn’t mean something? This is where paying homage to family and tradition is most common (and convenient).
3. Consider literal meaning but not alone. No one will care that a name means “wooded hamlet” or “youngest son,” but it’s worth considering since your child will definitely want to know.
4. Be aware of what the initials spell. The parents of my old friend Paloma Madwin Schpaltz didn’t. Clearly they also didn’t follow tip #1.
5. You can’t always control the common nickname. If you love James, be ready for Jim. If you love Elizabeth, be ready for Liz. Someone will use it and it might stick!
6. Sibling names should sound distinct. If you want all your children’s names to start with the same letter, avoid overlapping sound combinations like Darren, Darlene, and Darryl.
7. The last letter of the first name should be different than the first letter of the last name. Listen for how the name sounds together, especially so it doesn’t run together: Beth Thatcher sounds like Beth Hatcher. Not a big deal, but might get annoying.
8. Help out a gender-neutral first name with a feminine or masculine middle name. This can help with identification and lessen potential confusion in email addresses, on social media, and in job applications and resumes.
9. Don’t pick a name that’s tough for most people to pronounce. Your poor child will have to correct every teacher and substitute teacher until the rest of the kids in class can do it together in unison.
10. Choose a name that evolves well from childhood into adulthood. Many people think if you’re only going to follow one name rule, follow this one!
Once you’ve found the perfect name for baby, try it out by previewing it on a beautiful baby birth announcement card. You can personalize a design you love in online birth announcements at www.looklovesend.com, then delight friends and family by sending printed birth announcement cards of premium, heavy weight card stock. You’ll find fresh, fun designs in every style, and turnaround is fast.
