Baby Names

Choosing the Perfect Baby Name

Choosing a baby name can be one of the most fun and challenging aspects of having a new baby. Should your baby's name mean 'strength' or 'desire', or is the name's meaning not important?

Once you find a few different names, you can ask friends and family which name they like best. You can also compare your list to the top 100 baby names by decade or the most popular names of a specific year - maybe you want a popular baby name or maybe you prefer a unique name. Selecting a popular name for your baby

Today's favorite names may or may not be around tomorrow. There is an easy way to determine if a name has staying power, simply review the top 100 names by year using this site. We list the top 100 baby names for the past 125 years, by year. Selecting a baby name with the perfect meaning

A great method in finding a perfect baby name is to understand the name meaning. Searching for a baby name using the origin/ethnicity/religion of the name

One of the most common methods for selecting a baby name is using the origin and/or ethnicity of the baby name. In many cases these names were from a different generation (see top 100 baby names by year, above) and may be 'out of style'. If this is the case, middle names are the perfect solution.

Choose a baby name for each sex - so whatever the baby is, you are ready.

Having a boy's name and girl's name is a great start.

Naming the baby after the parent - either a single name, or the entire name

If the son is the third generation to receive the name, the baby boy typically becomes the III (third). Be sure you want to name your baby boy, or baby girl, the same as a parent - it can lead to confusion growing up. If you know you want to name the baby after a parent, selecting a unique middle name may be the perfect solution.

The name you choose for your baby (and future child/adult) should be worn happily. Choose a baby name that you are proud of, and makes you smile.

Say the baby's name aloud - is it easy or difficult to say the name? Choose a name that flows well together. Write the full baby name down - as well as the initials of all names.

If your baby name's initials make up another word - be sure you are comfortable with what results. If you had problems, you may want to reconsider the name.

Naming your baby after a sports figure, movie star, or political hero

Be sure you want to go this route, prior to naming your baby. While the name may be beautiful - it could become overly popular. Naming multiple babies

First, naming babies with the same first initial may be confusing - for you, the babies and future teachers. If each baby's name contains the same letters - it will be difficult in determining which gifts belong to which baby. Some families have a tradition in passing down names from generation to generation. Also, some religions don't allow babies to be named after living family members. Select multiple names for your baby.

What if there is a pet with the same name we wanted to name our baby.

We had a dog name Jordan (after Michael Jordan), and I've met many other people named Jordan. It is inevitable that someone somewhere named a dog, cat, fish or rabbit the same name you are considering for your baby. If you love the name - don't look back.

I have a friend/family member who is considering the name I wanted for my baby.

For you parents that have yet to choose a name for your baby - you should learn from this lesson. Well-liked and/or unique names can become very popular, very quickly.

Lists of baby names are always fun to look at, whether
you're seeking a name for your soon-to-be-born baby boy or
baby girl, wondering about the popularity of your own first
name, or just curious about what baby names are currently
hot.

What I find particularly interesting is tracking the popularity
of baby names over the decades. In looking through U.S.
government baby name lists from 1880 to the present,
some amusing patterns emerge, particularly in regards to
baby names for girls.

For example, in Victorian times Biblical names, such as
Mary, Sarah and Ruth were very popular for baby girls. There
were also many baby names that sounded very
old-fashioned to me, as a kid growing up in the 1960s,
including names like Martha, Alice, Bertha and Minnie.

From the 1920s to the 1950s certain baby names rose in
popularity. There's also been a surge in
nontraditional baby names including Madison, Ashley and
Brianna for baby girls, and Brandon and Logan for baby
boys.

While baby girls' names seem quite subject to the whims
of fashion and the top ten lists can change radically over
time, I've noticed that, in general, the top baby names for
boys remain far more stable. Names like John, William and
James are perennials, perhaps because baby boys are
often named for their fathers, perpetuating the popularity of
certain baby names from generation to generation. The
"Junior" factor aside, baby boys are also less apt to be given
fanciful names.

A comparison of the changing fortunes of my own first
name, Barbara, with those of my husband's name, Robert,
gives a good illustration of the difference in stability between
baby girl names and baby boy names over time.

My name grew in popularity in the 1930s, '40s and '50s,
peaking at the number 2 position in baby name popularity,
which it tenaciously held from 1937 to 1944. Alas, my first name later suffered a slow,
steady decline and placed at a pitiful number 628 position
on the baby names popularity list for the U.S. in 2003.

Robert, on the other hand, has survived the vicissitudes of
baby name popularity. When naming a baby there are, of course, many other
points to consider besides how popular or unique a name
is. 1. Baby names need to go nicely with the sound of your last
name. Also, pick a first name and a middle name that go
together well. 5. You probably shouldn't pick a name that's really cute for
an adorable little baby but will sound silly when the baby
grows up. 6. Avoid baby names that might produce insulting
nicknames when people shorten them. 8. You and your family might want to pick baby names in
honor of favorite relatives or ancestors, or special names
that show your family's ethnic roots. There are hundreds of names waiting for you out there, so
good luck on your search for the perfect name!

Unusual baby boy names and finding exotic and unique baby names can be loads of fun! Rather than giving your baby boy a name like Jacob, John or Harry -- you'd prefer him have one of the more exotic and unique baby names.

There are several ways to find unusual baby boy names. 1. Start with the most popular names being given to baby boys. It may surprise you how many exotic and unique baby names you can find this way.

1. Look at your own family names and see if using any name combinations create unusual baby names you like. Does a relative have names you like? Do be careful if the names are already used. Ask other family members to be sure your favorite unusual baby names are not given to relatives. It can become confusing in families when two people have the same names.

2. Consider the unusual baby boy names used in the classics. Literary classics are a great source of exotic and unique baby names. By using the classics for possible names, you know that these names have withstood the test of time.

3. Search for exotic and unique baby names online. There are many baby websites with listings and resources for baby names.

Remember, your child's names will be used their entire life, so think how their names will sound and feel once they are grown. Stay away from funny names. Choose his name carefully, a name that will have meaning and significance to you and your child.

Have fun and enjoy viewing and choosing your child's names. Provide them with unusual baby boy names that will add to their success and happiness in life. Take your time and find names you truly love.