View Full Version : things to consider when choosing your babys name
It's no mean feat naming your baby. You and your partner have to agree on it. Then there's the minor point that your child is saddled with it for life! Try these tips to ensure your success in the name finding game
1. Fashion victim
Sharp sounding boys' names beginning with 'J' are currently top of the league - Jack, Joshua, James, Jordan and Jake. Also currently popular are Celtic-style boys' names like Cameron, Ryan, Liam, Dylan and Connor. Pretty, Bronte-esque sounding names like Charlotte, Emily, Sophie and Olivia and Emma still rate very highly among today's girls. These are classic, pleasant and not too imposing, so your daughter won't look like a fashion victim. Shortened girls' names like Ellie, Ella and Mia may be trendy, but are in danger of sounding childish.
2. Unfortunate rhymes or connotations
Watch out for the hidden joke. It may not jump out at you at first but will be all too evident to your child's classmates. Tess may sound romantic in a Thomas Hardy sort of way, but if your daughter veers towards the plump, she could instantly become known as Ten Ton Tess. And while Nessie and Nellie sound sweet enough, they could soon turn into Nellie the Elephant or Nessie the Loch Ness Monster.
3. Celebrity
Resist the temptation to live in your favourite celebrity's shadow. Names like Kylie and Gwyneth may sound like the epitome of cool now, but in five years time your child may be just one of a myriad little Gwynnies charging up and down the school corridors. If you name your offspring Dylan, Lourdes, Lila or Rocco, at best it will look like you're severely lacking in imagination, at worst you will come across like a quasi-stalker.
4. Too quirky
Don't saddle your baby with an overly wacky name. You may yearn for a Jupiter, Eagle Eye or Moon Unit, but look what happened to Zowie Bowie? He rebelled and morphed into plain old Joe. Some names are too hard to live up to. It's faintly ridiculous being called India, Atlanta or Summer and holding down a steady job as an accountant in Bognor Regis.
5. Think twice
You may think you're the most original parent in the universe, but rest-assured you are not the only person to think of Ruby, Lola or Elvis - those names which sounded supremely glam and otherworldly some years ago have now entered the public's consciousness and are now ten a penny.
6. Spelling Bee
Don't complicate your child's life before they've even made their entrance. Think of the trouble Liza Minnelli had ('I'm Liza with a Zee', etc). For example, there are some gorgeous Irish names out there but bear in mind that the lovely Cusack sisters Sinead (pronounced Shin-ayde), Niamh (Neeve) and Sorcha (Sur-a-kha) probably spend their entire life spelling out the blighters.
7. Latin lover
If you go for a very Mediterranean name like Pablo, Paulo, Carlos or Mario, be prepared for everyone asking you where you come from. If you hail from Basildon, this could pall after a while.
8. The Bible
Biblical names have always been very popular across the board, but try to steer clear of dodgy connections. Cain, Judas - good names, not very nice men. Rachel sounds sexy, but actually means 'ewe'. And naming your child Jesus is just asking for trouble.
9. Find a real link
Think of those you have known and loved over the years (though not necessarily old boyfriends - that might raise a few eyebrows). For example, your childhood best friend who went to live in Australia, a beloved great aunt or a faraway, interesting sounding ancestor. Someone with gravitas. Not Fido after your dead dog, or Leonardo, after Titanic.
10. Be flexible
Don't be dead set on the name you've chosen. Firstly, your baby may turn out to be the wrong sex to sport it (Alfred never works that well on a girl). Secondly, when your baby makes his or her dramatic entrance into the world, you may simply find that the name does not suit the face. End of story. Just let it go - and enjoy your new baby!
Stephen was Karl Jacob all the way through my pregnancy, so when everyone was phoned with news of Stephen James' arrival, everyone was like, who has had a baby then??
Another tip - watch the initials Bethany Jones may be lovely, but the boys will have great fun with it when she's older!!
.:SpIcYsPy:.
06-07-2005, 13:50
Unfortunate rhymes or connotations - There is this indian girl in my class and her name is called Neelam and suddenly yesterday we came up with whats a lamb with a knee called.... Neelam!! So yes watch out!!
.:SpIcYsPy:.
06-07-2005, 13:53
Another tip - watch the initials Bethany Jones may be lovely, but the boys will have great fun with it when she's older!!
You got a great sense of humour LOL!!!
Thanks!! I know of a couple of people with those very initials - it wasn't nice at high school for em....
Got to watch for say Donna Olivia Graham too!! (Woof!!)
my little girl is called niamh and it is a nightmare when people see it written down!! oh what her name then??? aaaggghhh!!!!
when my little boy has his surname changed to my partners his initals will be N.O.W!!
.:SpIcYsPy:.
06-07-2005, 16:24
LOL another great one!! CAT - Casandra Angela Thorpe!! I don't know :p
there was a girl at my school called catherine olivia williams - cow!
i do feel guilty sometimes giving niall such a unusual name but he seems to like it at the mo, its his middle name that is more unusual than his first its omari
.:SpIcYsPy:.
06-07-2005, 20:40
The name Derek is suppodsly Gay and Boring... Derek's character is Gay and Boring in EE. BB Derek is Gay and Boring... you see??
there was a geography teacher at our school called mr carr, everyone used to say his name was wayne but i never ever did find out if it really was,poor bloke if it was true.waynecarr geddit?
when i was at school there were to brother there surname king, they were called wayne and lee, no joke!!!
6. Spelling Bee
Don't complicate your child's life before they've even made their entrance. Think of the trouble Liza Minnelli had ('I'm Liza with a Zee', etc). For example, there are some gorgeous Irish names out there but bear in mind that the lovely Cusack sisters Sinead (pronounced Shin-ayde), Niamh (Neeve) and Sorcha (Sur-a-kha) probably spend their entire life spelling out the blighters.
Tell me about it!!! Thats the trouble i've had with my name all my life. Mine is LEZAH not lisa, liza or leeza. It may be a bit different but it's not that hard to remember. There is nothing worse (well to me anyway) than someone calling me lisa!!! Lisa is not my name and i refuse to answer to it!!! Actually got sent home from school one time because the teacher continually called me lisa, even after i had reminded her that was not my name, so i ignored her. Good job my mum stood up for me though or i'd have been in serious trouble.
Another tip - watch the initials Bethany Jones may be lovely, but the boys will have great fun with it when she's older!!
That is my cousins name BJ, funnily enough he's never had any bother with it. Suppose it would be different for a girl though
Tell me about it!!! Thats the trouble i've had with my name all my life. Mine is LEZAH not lisa, liza or leeza. It may be a bit different but it's not that hard to remember. There is nothing worse (well to me anyway) than someone calling me lisa!!! Lisa is not my name and i refuse to answer to it!!! Actually got sent home from school one time because the teacher continually called me lisa, even after i had reminded her that was not my name, so i ignored her. Good job my mum stood up for me though or i'd have been in serious trouble.
i must have one of the most normal names around, katy. but people still can't spell it, and the amount of people that call me kate!! it drives me mad!!!
I always tell people that if they want to remember how to say or spell my name just think HAZEL backwards seems to work......most of the time.
I girl in my work just cant get the hang of it, and as i said before i just ignore people if they call me Lisa, so she has taken to calling me ginger lol
luckily none of my friends have names that are unusual, now my eldest is at school the strange names are starting to come out, at least it makes his look less than unusual,
When my newphew was in nursery there was a wee girl witht he name phocahountus (sp?) McKenzie. That poor child
omg!!!that makes Niall Omari and Niamh Georgia Vivien look ok!!!
I quite like they names - i've heard alot worse trust me!!! I was originally going to be called Mini.......
niall likes his now, just got to wait to see if niamh likes hers!!!
i wanted them to have something different as i have a really boring name!!! katy-jayne you can't get much more boring than that!!!
Katy-Jayne is a lovely name. If i have kids i want them to have unsuall names i've always like Orla (that was way before big brother) and cory. But i was at a fortune teller last week and he told me i wouldn't get the names for my kids that i wanted cause my husband wouldn't like them.....
it is ok, it just feels like a little girls name!!!!
Even Ciaran can be a problem - I am always having to spell it to everyone, but then again with Stephen, I am always having to say "with a ph not a v"!!
There are always going to be spelling problems with any names that have variations, as long as it suits the child (and their not going to hate you when they are older!!) who cares (to some extent). Most names, except for some of the celeb ones, tend to suit the child.
I would never change my name, even if it does cause problems i still love it for being different
i don't mind as long as they get the jist!!!
when i had niall a lot of people thought he was called neil
a few still do now, and he is nearly 10!!!
di marco
09-07-2005, 09:41
I would never change my name, even if it does cause problems i still love it for being different
yeh i used to hate my name for being different but know i quite like it i dont mind
That would really bug me. I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut and tell them they are getting it wrong
i correct people but he does it himself now!!!
as i get older more people are getting my name wrong!!!
even my licence sign over the door at work is spelt wrong!!!!
Imade an official complaint at my gym cause they had spelt it LIZA i had told them repeatedly but it was never changed. It has now though lol
Everyone seemed to be called Emma (like me) a few years back and it meant that every time it was shouted, I would turn round thinking it might be me, and whoever it was was shouting to someone else!! Very frustrating. At least if your name is slightly different, you would know when someone was shouting to you!!
Not when people call me Lisa though :angry:
its really annoying i told the solicitor and wrote it on the application!!! its ok on my certificates but not on the one that everyone sees over the door!!!
i hate being called kate, i'm katy!!!
I hate being called Emma, I'm only called it when I have done something wrong!! Hence, just call me Em.
we call niall snail and niamh monkey!!
.:Kitz:.
09-07-2005, 10:04
I know, every one spells my name like "kirsty" so i have to say, its got an unusual spelling, so then they spell it like "kirsti" sometimes i just give up! i don't really mind being called "kirsty". BUT MY NAME IS KIRSTIE!! *shudder* i hate my name, its such a girly and petite sounding name........:(
.:Kitz:.
09-07-2005, 10:04
I don't even know why my mum gave me that name!
mine is like a little girls name!!!
I hate being called Emma, I'm only called it when I have done something wrong!! Hence, just call me Em.
lol same here only when i've done something wrong do i hear Lezah Marie :rotfl:
its got worse now niall is at school the amount of kids that are called katy!!!
lol same here only when i've done something wrong do i hear Lezah Marie :rotfl:I'm just glad that being my age, I don't tend to get told off much any more, so no more shrieks of EMMAAAAAA, down the hallway!! :rotfl:
unfortunatly, even though i am 22, i still live with my parents and hear it all too often lol
Luckily, I don't have that trouble. I don't even tend to be called Em that often anymore - fanny ann, queenie and mum tend to be the wonderful names I have been given by my family!!! lol
i answer to most things too!!! oi, mum, i want and can i have !!!!!
I know that feeling well!!
Do you ever just want to shut yourself away from everything and just chill!?
Before I fell pregnant, hubby would pay for me to go to a health spa for the day, for a load of pampering, which was wonderful, but then I would get home and have to do everything again, so all of my relaxation and de-stress completely disappeared again! This board is my only sanity these days!!
luckily i go to work every day for a few hours and its nice and quiet i just sit in the office have a cup of tea and chill out doing my paperwork!! thats my break!! hopefully if i pass my test next week i will be able to go and see my sister whenever i like she looks after me and loves playing with the kids!!
Good luck with your test - I luckily passed at 17 first time, when I was 6 months pregnant! You won't know yourself when you have passed.
My tip would be to glance at every road that comes onto the road you are travelling on and make sure that when you look in your rear view mirror, do it often and obviously - if the examiner can't see that are using your mirrors, ie you just look with your eyes and don't move your head at all, he will assume that you aren't using them. Go for it!!
I've fallen out with my brother big style and as I work from home, don't tend to see many people during the day - Maybe I should rename myself Billy!!! :lol:
i will try that!! i have got 1 lesson before my test on friday!! i am really nervous, i have left it so late to learn!! i wish i had done it when i was 17!! i feel so old doing it at 28!
me aand my sister were never close but now we are best freinds its reallt great she is learning to drive too so we will be able to see each other!! the worst thing is i have got my car sat in the drive and i can't use it!! aaahhh!!!
You'll be fine, and you shouldn't feel old learning at 28, although I did my car test at 17, I did my bike test at 25 and there were loads of older people doing the same. Positive thinking, try and stay relaxed (easier said than done I know) and obvious head movements when demonstrating your awareness of things around you which could be hazards all help towards making your examiner feel safe, and that is the main thing really, if the examiner feels safe in the car next to you, you will be fine. Good luck
i should be ok, my instructor would not let me do it if i was not ready!! and my other half thinks i will be fine he said he felt safe in the car with me!!! its just the going backwards i am having trouble with!!, but as soon as i pass we are going to geta new car with parking sensors!!!
You will be - Good luck, let us know how you get on?!
of course i will be straight on when i get back!! the actual test is at 15:37 on friday in bletchley!!
Excellent - good luck, I'm sure you will pass no problem! :cheer:
CrazyLea
14-07-2005, 23:39
i noticed before you were talking about unusual names. one of my best friends is called talisa. pronounced.. tal-ee-sa the amount of times people have called her talissa is unbeliveble lol it annoys her so much lol
But in some respects thats like your name - if you shorten it to Lea, do people call you Leah or Leigh and then you have to correct them to Leanne or to what you prefer.
Ciaran has been known to be pronounced Ki-ar-on (a bit like kia-ora orange squash!!) and has been mistaken for a girls name!! :searchme: Don't quite know how though!
CrazyLea
15-07-2005, 12:05
yeah my mates seem to thing that lea spells leah. whereas i think it should be lee cause thats the first part of my anem like. bt no wi just let them call me leah lol
I would say Lee too.
I'm currently trying to think of original, but not to out of this world names for my pending arrival. With hubby being welsh, we want a connection, but not sure what we like - any ideas anyone???
(In some respects we would like something beginning with I cause then all of our names together = PESCI and we are big scooby doo fans :rotfl: (we would have got away with it too if it wasn't for you pesky kids!! - get it!) but thats not important obviously!)
CrazyLea
15-07-2005, 12:18
lol!!
some welsh names beginning with I umm. Ioan, (ok so thats the only one i can think of :P )
other welsh names... rhian, owen, bethan, rhiannon, dylan, gethin ummmm cant think of anymore right now lol :p where bouts in wales your husband from? north or south??
CrazyLea
15-07-2005, 12:21
oh right. im from south, but pembrokeshire
I keep winding him up now though as I keep telling him he's technically english as he has been here for more than 10 years!!! His family are all still there though, well his brothers and sisters. We were thinking of moving back up there in the future, but I'm not sure about it
CrazyLea
15-07-2005, 12:32
lol. does he not like being called english lol. i dont like wales (well were i am anyway) there is nothing to do and its mainly always raining or cold :( lol and people always make sheep jokes haha! which are quite funny but ya no lol
He hates it!!!! Once a welshman always a welshman! He gets the sheep jokes too, when he left he received a blow up one as a pressie :lol: I love visiting his family but I don't really think I would want to move there - I don't think he does really. Its much sunnier down here - sun still shining today 25 deg - not many other places are still like it I think.
CrazyLea
15-07-2005, 12:39
lmao at the sheep! lol and yeah the weather aint that briliant here its quite chilly and its totally cloudy :(
When people ask him why he moved here, he normally says it was to stop us all sh****** each other (inc our brothers and sisters)!!! Funnily in some places he doesn't get too many laughs with that one, though I find it funny and just tell them that is was to get a better choice of the white fluffy variety!
CrazyLea
15-07-2005, 12:52
lol!! white fluffy variety lol! that sounds funny
Luckily we both have the same sense of humour - the only downside is when the rugby is on!! WW3 !
CrazyLea
15-07-2005, 13:19
wales rule at rugby :p
Oooo don't get me started!!! lol
Though they did deserve this years 6 nations, I mean, you had the wooden spoon for so many years before Italy came into it!! lol.
Only kidding, Wales are back into it, and England lost a load after the World Cup through retirement etc, we'll be back!
CrazyLea
15-07-2005, 13:40
:D:D:D lol. wales never win anything.. i was chuffed when we won the rugby hehehe
I have to admit, you did deserve it!
CrazyLea
15-07-2005, 13:50
:d:d
Anyhow, back to names - anyone got ideas for boys/girls names that go with last initial J??? Slightly unusual, but not majorly would be great!
kat 4 alfie
01-08-2005, 22:17
someone from my old school was called cirklin yu (say it like sirklin you) , my names unusual its Layla ... ive always hated it , i love the names yasmin , tazmin ,jasmine and kamara but i also love luciana (say it like lucharna)
my sisters name spells B.A.D and mine before I got married was H.V.D (spent years of Hazel's got VD) kids are so kind. My dad was Ronald Donald he spent years being call Ronald Mc Donald. or people would say which is your first name. So please think before you name a child.
My two are Ciaran Aiden and Stephen James cause I like nice sensible names. Not sure about this one though, cause it will need to go nicely with the other two so....
Anyhow, back to names - anyone got ideas for boys/girls names that go with last initial J??? Slightly unusual, but not majorly would be great!
my surname begins with J. i am katy jayne and my sister is lucy ann
I like jamie for both a girl and a boy
i am one of these people that likes loads of names then won't use them because i know someone who is called that!!
Thats the thing, I keep thinking of names and then meet a friend who is either called it or has called their new baby the same so then I won't...
its really annoying, i had chosen zac for a boy and then when i found out i was having a girl my friend who was also pregnant decided to call hers zac if it was a boy!! it really annoyed me!!!
sorry had to get that off my chest!!!
and another thing anything i buy for niamh she has to get for her little one (who is a girl too) even down to the new bottles i got for niamh!!! it is the same with the older kids too anything i get for niall her eldest one always ends up having for his birthday with is a month after nialls!!!
kat 4 alfie
02-08-2005, 15:41
lol and got to say willow , loving the buffy pics.
I can never understand why some parents are so competitive about things like that!!
i know its really silly, my kids do things when they want i never really take notice of any of the "experts" you know what i mean. but niamh gets a new holdy bottle then this other little one has to have one too, niall gets a new bike then older one has to have exactly the same one too!!! sorry i don't mean to moan but i bring my kids up to be individuals not to copy everyone else!!
lol and got to say willow , loving the buffy pics.
i thank you!! and i must say nicholas brendon so much hotter in real life!!!:cheer:
Just to go off topic for a min - got loads of Kelly pics the other night :D
kat 4 alfie
02-08-2005, 15:48
omg have you met him, sorry going off topic a bit.
omg have you met him, sorry going off topic a bit.
yep, and i met anthony head last year too!
i know its really silly, my kids do things when they want i never really take notice of any of the "experts" you know what i mean. but niamh gets a new holdy bottle then this other little one has to have one too, niall gets a new bike then older one has to have exactly the same one too!!! sorry i don't mean to moan but i bring my kids up to be individuals not to copy everyone else!!I'm trying to make sure mine have individuality aswell, so hopefully when they are a lot older they won't feel that they have to do this and that just because someone else is...
omg have you met him, sorry going off topic a bit.
Yup she likes to rub it in dont you willow :D
I'm trying to make sure mine have individuality aswell, so hopefully when they are a lot older they won't feel that they have to do this and that just because someone else is...
exactly that is what i am trying to do!!! but there are always people in the way trying to do what you are doing!!!,
kat 4 alfie
02-08-2005, 15:51
yep, and i met anthony head last year too!cool. were did you meet them all. lol , big buffy fan.
Yup she likes to rub it in dont you willow :D
oh yes!!lol nicky is back at mk in a few weeks
were did you meet them all.cool lol . big buffy fan.
milton keynes, they do collector fairs every few months
kat 4 alfie
02-08-2005, 15:53
Just to go off topic for a min - got loads of Kelly pics the other night :D lol sorry kelly who ?
oh yes!!lol nicky is back at mk in a few weeks
Oh might have to go have a look.....Just found out last night that Kelly's going to be in a new show :cheer:
Oh might have to go have a look.....Just found out last night that Kelly's going to be in a new show :cheer:do you want to start a new thread on this as we have gone completly off topic!!:cheer:
do you want to start a new thread on this as we have gone completly off topic!!:cheer:
Good idea i'll do that when i get home
SarahWakefield
30-08-2005, 10:24
Can You Imagined Been Called Teresa Green (trees are geen) or ben dover or anette curtain lol! rofl
Can You Imagined Been Called Teresa Green (trees are geen) or ben dover or anette curtain lol! rofl
No one would do that to a child would they???
Although one of my old next door neighb. names was Alexander Alexander :hmm:
Tell me about it!!! Thats the trouble i've had with my name all my life. Mine is LEZAH not lisa, liza or leeza. It may be a bit different but it's not that hard to remember. There is nothing worse (well to me anyway) than someone calling me lisa!!! Lisa is not my name and i refuse to answer to it!!! Actually got sent home from school one time because the teacher continually called me lisa, even after i had reminded her that was not my name, so i ignored her. Good job my mum stood up for me though or i'd have been in serious trouble.
My names Lisa, and the french teachers insist on calling me LIZA.
It drives me insane and if i dont answer, they get stroppy dont they.
I should of complained but i dont have her next year!
And me middles names Kimberley, which i dont mind i suppose.
yeh i used to hate my name for being different but know i quite like it i dont mind
What is your name Di Marco?
:searchme:
xxx
My names Lisa, and the french teachers insist on calling me LIZA.
It drives me insane and if i dont answer, they get stroppy dont they.
I should of complained but i dont have her next year!
And me middles names Kimberley, which i dont mind i suppose.
You should have complained i think there is nothing worse than someone getting your name wrong
luna_lovegood
30-08-2005, 17:44
my names Donna, I think i've heard every kebab joke and chat up line there can possibly be. :D
I quite like my name though now.
My names Abbey, so i've been called Abbey National all through my life. The banks changed to just being called Abbey now so its even worse.
Whats more, my surname is also exactly the same as a very famous shop. That has its good points (freebies from the shop when they think my family own it :D ) but again i get it pointed out at every moment.
Generally they just call me shoppy!
Please dont name your kids after banks or shops! Or at least change the spelling a little!
luna_lovegood
30-08-2005, 20:56
My names Abbey, so i've been called Abbey National all through my life. The banks changed to just being called Abbey now so its even worse.
Whats more, my surname is also exactly the same as a very famous shop. That has its good points (freebies from the shop when they think my family own it :D ) but again i get it pointed out at every moment.
Generally they just call me shoppy!
Please dont name your kids after banks or shops! Or at least change the spelling a little!
lol! :lol:
Whenever people make these references to your name its like they think they are being really original. :rolleyes:
.:SpIcYsPy:.
30-08-2005, 21:08
my sisters name spells B.A.D and mine before I got married was H.V.D (spent years of Hazel's got VD) kids are so kind. My dad was Ronald Donald he spent years being call Ronald Mc Donald. or people would say which is your first name. So please think before you name a child.
Lol Bad!! Aww bless to all!!
SarahWakefield
31-08-2005, 00:11
well my last name is curry! lol currys always lowering prices hehe
RealityGap
01-09-2005, 14:40
our surname is a horrible weird spelt scottish one......so our kids first names are nice and simple to try and stop some problems..........
we did think about the name Scott Thomas for our son.......but his initals would have been STD so decided against it
.:SpIcYsPy:.
01-09-2005, 14:49
well my last name is curry! lol currys always lowering prices hehe
Lol aww :p
my aunt didn't want her son to have a name that could be shortened into a nickname so she call him Jay.....only problem is his initials are now JCB.....so everyone calls him Digger lol
our surname is a horrible weird spelt scottish one......so our kids first names are nice and simple to try and stop some problems..........
we did think about the name Scott Thomas for our son.......but his initals would have been STD so decided against it
no that wouldnt have been good!
my aunt didn't want her son to have a name that could be shortened into a nickname so she call him Jay.....only problem is his initials are not JCB.....so everyone calls him Digger lol
oh no poor boy!!
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