Naming your baby – things to think about

I have a relatively unusual name – it’s also spelt a little differently. The more common spellings are Trudie or Trudi. My parents though were sensible and decided that it needed to be spelt with a ‘y’ so it fitted with my surname. Their thought process was it would be hard for a child to understand why something sounded the same but was spelt differently. So something to consider – although I do find I have to spell it out a lot!

Names are so important – they show your connection to your family, they may have history or a special meaning or a name used through the generations. Your name may also give a clear steer to the time you were born, I went to school with a number of Sharon and Traceys for instance.

However names do have a tendency to find their way back and today we’re seeing a resurgence of names from the turn of the century being chosen.

So where do you start with choosing a name?

Here are some tips for making sure the perfect name is really “the one.” – I found these on Parents.com.

1. Write out the initials. You may want to make sure that you aren’t giving your baby initials that spell something rude or odd such as Aaron Simon Samuels or Claire Octavia Wilson.
2. Think about the nicknames. Take a look at all the potential nicknames people could give your child and make sure you not only like them but that you feel good about how they match with your last name.
3. Consider sibling names. You may want to give your children names that all have the same first initial or names that sound well together since they’ll often be said in the same breath. Plus, it may be difficult to explain to your kids why one has a super unique name (say, Zaphon) when his brother’s name is Bob.
4. Be careful with meanings. Some states and countries actually have laws that prevent you from naming a child anything that is considered a historical problem.
5. Give thought to the uniqueness. Unique names are creative and fun. But, a name that is too unique can be tough to get through life with. If it is too difficult to spell or pronounce, others may avoid saying it. The child may have to repeat it and spell it out over and over again.
6. Check for multiple spellings. You may not be sure of a specific name, but when you change the spelling, it can make all the difference. It can also make a difference in how easy or difficult it is for your child to spell and explain.
7. Check for similar names. A similar name may strengthen your case for the name you love or make that fringe name seem more acceptable. It can fix an issue with initials, meaning, or nicknames, too. 
8. Add a little diversity. If you aren’t sure about a very unique name or a very traditional name, balance it out with a middle name. Pick a conventional name for the first name and a unique name for the middle name, or vice versa. 
9. Don’t be afraid to change a tradition. Some last names have made their way into the world of first names (Lennon, Avery). And, some boy’s names are becoming more and more common for girls (Hayden, Jordan). 
10. 10.Realise your geography may matter. You might love a name that is geographically bound, perhaps to a local celebrity or location. But, it may be looked at differently in different areas of the country or the world which may bother you or not. 

And if you’ve decided on a name and want to celebrate with your family and friends, why not consider a Celebrant-led Naming Ceremony? Have a look here at how this could work for you and let me create a perfect and unique ceremony.