Welcome to ALL THE BEST BABY NAMES! Here are the Do's and Don'ts of Naming Your Baby - By Brooke Schuman

Naming your baby, lets face it, it’s a big decision to make. So how do you choose just the right one? How do you make sure that your baby will grow up to like his/her name? In a world where the trend is creativity, it’s still best to follow the basics. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help get you started creating that perfect baby name:

DO put longer first names with shorter last names, or shorter first names with longer last names. If both the first and the last names are long the name is quite a mouthful for the poor child to say. Ex. Samantha Klaminski. If both names are short, it could sound like two first names - like Ricky Bobby from Taladega Nights.

DON’T have the first name rhyme with the last name. Ex. Jack Black

DO name your child after his/her own heritage

DON’T name your child something that no one can pronounce. This, although creative, can draw unwanted attention to the child.

DO hold on to family names. Naming children after their Grandparents or Great Grandparents, is a way to remember those close to us…even if those names end up being the middle name.

DON’T give a child a name where the initials spell something. Ex. Zoey Isabella Taylor, this spells ZIT. Another ex. Ashlee Samantha Smith, or another ex. Pamala Michelle Smith…this spells PMS. You get the point.

DO look at the meaning of a name - what it symbolizes, or a quality that you would like your child to have. Ex. Hope or Faith

DON’T name your child after a TV or movie star who is popular at the moment.

Chances are that the name will eventually become outdated, or the big movie star could become unpopular, and your little star will remind everyone of him/her.

DO think of plenty of baby names. Write down at least three or more names each. By writing them down, and having choices that you both like, it makes it easier for you and your partner to both agree on the perfect name for your child.

DON’T give a child a nickname that could stick in the future, like Butch or Stinky.

Anything that’s cute when your child is little most likely won’t be when he/she gets older.

DO use names where the child can have a choice on what he/she wants to be called. Ex. Samantha, or Sam or Elizabeth, or Liz.

DON’T name your child really commonplace names like Chris or Mike. Although nice names, there will be five Mikes and three Chris’s in your child’s third grade class.

Most of all, this is a very personal decision. When you and your partner agree on a name, don’t let others influence you in your decision. Congratulations on the new addition to the family! Follow these simple guidelines and you will find the perfect baby name for your perfect baby.