Maybe you just found out you are prego and presto: you start to think about choosing baby names… what if it is a girl… Amy? No, that was the name of the girl I hated in high school. What if it is a boy? John? No, I can not name the baby the same as the father, and then two men in the house won’t react when I call their name!
Or, like I did, you are getting closer to the due date and you’re still going over the list of baby names still unable to pin down ‘the one’.
Well, like choosing the colour of the nursery or your favourite pregnancy snack, I believe choosing baby names should be totally up to you.
Names are kind of like horoscopes, you might believe their meaning and role in life, or just want to read more about the topic for fun.
So… Annie? Same with Siri, and when I googled a bit I was not the only one. One woman named her baby Siri even before the “Apple Siri” existed.
My friend was watching Game of Thrones and seriously considered Arya. Another one read Margaret Atwood ́s The Handmaid ́s Tale and considered Serena for a while.
I won’t provide any guide, just facts, and my experience and point of view as a mum of three.
So if you want some fun & facts of choosing baby names, here goes:
Think It Through And Write It Down
Think about how the name will sound in combination with the surname. Or how a nickname would sound. Sadly, kids can be mean.
Also try to avoid complicated names that can result in wrong pronunciation or misspelling.
Filling forms with a complicated name or ordering a coffee in Starbucks should not be a painful experience.
Think 20 years ahead and think of your child.
To Go Popular Or Stand Out Whilst Choosing Baby Names?
The most popular first names in the UK remain to be Oliver and Olivia.
Love Olivia Coleman? You might raise a new one, who knows!
However, names such as Orla or Bonnie for girls and Leo or Hunter for boys rocketed in 2017. So, decide whether you want to stand out from the crowd, or stick to classics like Hugh, Andrew or Margaret.
Nomen Est Omen
Nomen est omen. This Latin phrase means something like “Name is a sign”.
As I said, it is kind of like the zodiac. It can fit the personality but it might not.
I considered if the name occurs in the family already and how often. And I learned not to listen to older relatives.
If it sounds too old fashioned for your taste, and yours too modern for theirs, listen to your gut.
Anyway, they will love the child and learn to love the name 🙂
So, whether you pick Annie or Amy, it is more important who your little one grows up to be.
To quote Forrest Gump: “My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Bet you couldn’t read that without putting on Forrest Gump’s accent!
Like eating chocolate, you will see your little one through the hard times and the sweet ones.
Feel free to add your tips and experiences of choosing baby names below.
Last Updated on June 22, 2023 by Lucy Clarke
