| Your new baby needs a name to begin his | | | | Your baby's ancestry and religion is a big |
| journey into life. Read about the serious | | | | part of who he is. Many parents name their |
| business of choosing the right name for your | | | | child keeping these parameters in mind. It is |
| baby. | | | | perfectly all right to choose to name your |
| | | | child after a god or religious figure. Many |
| Getting ready to bring a new baby into the | | | | religions also have guidelines as to how to |
| world involves a lot of preparatory work. | | | | go about naming your baby. Sometimes, you may |
| Your baby needs his own clothes, accessories, | | | | like a name that does not fit into the |
| toiletries, toys, etc. One of the most | | | | traditional category. Do not be disheartened. |
| important requirements though is his own | | | | Perhaps you can use it as a middle name. |
| name. Your baby's name will identify him in a | | | | Another trend that is catching on is to name |
| crowd and be a word which he will associate | | | | a baby based on Numerology. This is believed |
| himself with for the rest of his life. Your | | | | to help the child achieve success as he |
| child will not choose his own name. You, as | | | | becomes older. |
| his parent, will select it for him. With such | | | | |
| an important decision to make for your child, | | | | Many families also follow a tradition of |
| deciding on a name for your baby should take | | | | naming children after elderly or recently |
| into account the following factors. | | | | deceased members of the family. Some people |
| | | | also tend to name the first-born son after |
| Uniqueness | | | | his father and then suffix the name with |
| | | | 'Junior'. This creates a potentially |
| Would you like your child to have a rare and | | | | confusing situation in the home. Merely |
| unique name? Remember that this name will | | | | calling your child Junior may seem fine at |
| then make him stand out in a crowd. This can | | | | first but is that what you want him to be |
| be both an advantage and a disadvantage. He | | | | known as when he is thirty years old? It goes |
| will easily recognize when he is being | | | | for choosing names of elderly family members. |
| called. At the same time, rare and | | | | Your child will have to bear the brunt if you |
| complicated names have immense potential for | | | | decide to stick him with a name that went out |
| misunderstandings and mistaken | | | | of vogue over fifty years ago. |
| pronunciations. Teachers and caregivers may | | | | |
| unintentionally mangle your child's name if | | | | Memories |
| they have difficulty speaking it aloud. | | | | |
| | | | Some names may be associated with bad |
| At the same time, do not give your child a | | | | memories. Hence, it is best to avoid using |
| name that is too common. Varsha regrets the | | | | them for your child. The name you select may |
| name she gave to her son Anil. There were | | | | be a nice name but if you had a nasty |
| five boys with the same name in her son's | | | | colleague with the same name, think twice. |
| class at school. Everyone kept getting | | | | Are you going to be reminded of him every |
| confused. For the entire year, her son would | | | | time you call out to your child? If there is |
| proudly introduce himself as Anil B whenever | | | | a possibility of that happening, then discard |
| he met someone. Even at home, he would only | | | | the idea of using that name. Both parents |
| respond if she called him by the same name. | | | | must agree on this subject. If either parent |
| | | | is uncomfortable with a potential name, drop |
| A good tip is to go for a blend of rare and | | | | it. At the same time, do not press your |
| common names. If you have a common surname, | | | | partner for an explanation as to why he does |
| consider giving your child a slightly unusual | | | | not like the name. |
| name to make it easier for him in school and | | | | |
| later on, at the workplace. On the other | | | | Do not be browbeaten by other people when it |
| hand, if your surname is uncommon, give your | | | | comes to choosing your baby's name. After |
| child a reasonably well known name. | | | | all, you are the child's parents. Ultimately, |
| | | | it is up to you and your spouse to choose a |
| Heritage | | | | name that both of you are happy with. |
| | | | |