Naming your baby

How hard can it be to name your baby? Well, pretty difficult!

In past generations parents called their children names which would help them to ‘blend in’, resulting in classrooms full of kids called Jessica and Joshua, for example. The trend nowadays is for parents to call their children names that will stand out. The reason for this is probably because parents are thinking about the bigger picture; will this name get my child into the right university or ultimately, the right job one day? Pretty tough decisions after you’ve just gone through labor and birth!

The most recent list from the Social Security Administration reveals that the most popular name for boys is Jacob, with Emily at the top of the charts for girls. Traditional names make up most of the top 10 for both boys and girls, with Michael, Matthew, Daniel and Christopher in there for boys; and Emma, Hannah and Sophia proving to be popular choices for girls.

Biblical names continue to ride high when it comes to boys, with John, Zachary, Noah, Isaiah and Elijah making the top 50. For girls, choices are more unusual: Destiny, Trinity and Angelina are popular as parents continue to be influenced by the worlds of music, the movies, and celebs (and parents expecting boys aren’t immune from celebrity influence, with Brooklyn (the name of UK and now US soccer star David Beckham’s son) just nudging the top 100 in the definitive top 1000 names of the 2000s according to Social Security. Floral names are also popular for girls: take a bow Jasmine and Lily. Expecting a Fall baby? Look no further than Autumn.

The problem with baby name trends is that you aren’t the only ones paying attention. Your son Jacob is likely to end up in the same daycare or kindergarten class as five other Jacobs. Bear in mind too that trends are just that – and they will eventually go out of fashion.

Here are a few hints when you’re picking your baby’s name…

Stay away from trends!

Celebrity baby names are fun… until recess. Once your child is older and has had a lifetime of playground taunts he might not forgive you for calling him Satchel (the name Spike Lee named his child), or Moon Unit (Frank Zappa).

Look to the past

Old-fashioned names are making a comeback, proving that traditional names tend not to go out of fashion. They’re also a nice way to honor a family member. If you have access to your family tree you might be surprised at the names that appear which you like. Who cares if your baby and all her friends (George, Ruby, Alfred, Lilly and Elsie!) sound like they belong in a seniors community? Try to resist pressure to use family names you really aren’t crazy for (or use them for a middle name instead).

Individuality

While being individual is great, if your child spends her whole life having to slowly spell her name out for people again and again she will start to resent her name. On the other hand, being one of five Benjamins probably won’t do his self esteem any good. The trick is to find a middle ground – if you have an unusual family name, go for a plainer first name and vice versa so you don’t end up with a name like Steve Stephens or Octavia Belushi-Greenington. ??

Hang out at the playground

Go to your local playground and listen out for the type of names parents are hollering – you might stumble across one you love.

Don’t rush

Have a list of likely names for your baby but don’t fix on a name until you see your baby. It’s incredible how many babies will suit a particular name as soon as you lay eyes on them. Resist telling too many people your name choices for this reason. ???

See our other baby naming articles, the do's and don'ts of naming your baby and the dangers of baby naming. See our fantastic babynamer for thousands of ideas on what to call your new arrival.

If you have any queries about naming your baby or want to ask other members what they think, why not post a comment in our chat forum? Alternately, you can ask other parents questions in our questions and answers area.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 29/08/2007

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