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