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Baby Naming Tips

Finding Baby Boy Names and Baby Girl Names that are just perfectcan seem like a daunting task. However, there are many ways to make it easier, and it’s important to remember that this should be an enjoyable time.

Here are some helpful tips for choosing Baby Names and Meanings:

  1. Keep a list of all the names you’ve thought of handy, so you can add new ones to it as you think of them.
  2. Baby boy names-crying baby girl

    Try shouting out the name you’ve chosen and see if it still sounds good to you!

    Talk about it with others. If you’re comfortable with the entire family getting involved, don’t be afraid to ask them what they think.

  3. If you don’t want to be pressured by others in the naming process, consider not telling people the names you have chosen until after the birth.
  4. Be compromising with your spouse. It’s important that you both like what you’ve chosen. If necessary, use one choice for the given and one for the middle name.
  5. Choose names for both genders even if the ultrasound has told you are having one sex or the other. They do sometimes get it wrong!
  6. Be flexible. If possible have a couple of choices picked out. You may find that when your baby finally makes his appearance he doesn’t look like an “Andrew” at all!
  7. Most children have 3 names, but this isn’t mandatory. If you prefer, you can choose to use just a middle initial, or have no middle or several middle names. Remember, however, that a very long name can be a problem in the future when filling out forms!
  8. Think carefully about using the same first initial as another member of the family—this can become inconvenient later on when initials are used to identify possessions in the household.
  9. Consider calling your baby by their middle name if the first must be handed down. This avoids the “Junior” complex and makes your child feel like an individual.
  10. If using a family name, ask around to see if other relatives intend to use the same one, so you don’t have many family members with exactly the same name.
  11. If you don’t want to use family names try using just the initials. If your father’s given and middle names are “Robert Douglas” you may decide to name your baby “Ryan David”.
  12. You can use ethnic variations of names. If your grandfather was called Giovanni, for instance, you may choose “John” which is the English form of that Italian name.
  13. Baby boy names-beautiful baby

    Be Flexible. Choose several names, just in case your baby doesn’t seem to suit the one name you’ve chosen!

    Another common choice is to use the Mother’s maiden name as a first or middle name.

  14. If you are stuck on 2 choices and can’t decide which one to use, consider combining them. For example, Carleigh and Katelyn.
  15. Avoid cutesy names or using a nickname. This can backfire if your child is 65 and still going by the name of “Baby”.
  16. Beware of names you give your baby while you are pregnant. Sometimes they can stick. You don’t want your baby going through life being called, “Peanut”!
  17. Don’t name your baby after a beloved pet! Your son might find it disconcerting to discover that you named him “Ben” after your favorite goldfish!
  18. Don’t choose the name of someone you dislike. Even if you love it, you might find it difficult to get over the negative connotations this name brings with it.
  19. Don’t tell your other children that they can name the baby. You’d be surprised at how many Sponge Bob Square Pants we’d have if everyone did this!
  20. Say your choice out loud—does it sound good? Melodious, harsh?
  21. Shout it out the back door several times. Do you feel comfortable using this name?
  22. Don’t be pressured by anyone. The important thing about this decision is that the name is one you and your partner like.
  23. Don’t rush. This is an important decision—names are permanent things! Take your time and really enjoy the process.
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Rare Baby Names—The Newest Naming Trend

One of the most popular Google search term for baby names these days is “rare baby names”. According to the popular Keyword search tool, “Wordtracker”, over 3000 people are searching the Internet for “rare baby names” every day! Dependent upon your definition of “rare”, this may actually be a very logical progression in the evolution of baby name choices over the past half-century.

50 years ago people desired “traditional” and “popular” names. 20 years ago these name styles started to make way for more “unusual” and “uncommon” choices. Then, more recently “exotic” and “unique” names became all the rage. But what of this new direction towards “rare” names? Well, if we consider that parents view “rare” names as being uncommon and unusual, but with that certain extra exceptional quality—like a “rare jewel” or “rare find”—then it seems that this is just another step in a continuing trend towards names that are more selective and significant.

The differences in baby naming from my parent and grandparent’s era are very obvious. They were looking for traditional names that were time-honored and widely liked or appreciated. My grandparents obviously didn’t feel the need to linger over name choices. My father was Bill, brother to Dave and Tom. Not even a middle name to confuse the issue. Nor were my mother’s parents obliged to spend hours pouring over a baby-naming book. They chose Margaret, Mary, and Ralph for their children’s names. So I guess it’s no surprise that my parents doled out similarly traditional and popular names for their children. My brothers are Bob, John, and Tom to my somewhat unimaginative, Kathy.

So why is it that my parents were content to follow in their parent’s footsteps while I felt the irresistible need to break free of their conservative mindset and find something a bit more unusual for my two daughters? I’m sure it’s as simple as the population explosion of the Baby Boom. As a Boomer I went through school being called either Kathy G. or Kathy 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Although my parents probably had another Bill or Margaret in their school, the population simply didn’t allow for 5 or 6 of them in every class. After 12 years of sharing my name with the other 4 Kathy/Cathys in my class, I was determined to endow my girls with something that would give them a little more individuality.

My oldest daughter is named Bryn, a Welsh name meaning, “hill”, that belonged to a couple other girls in her elementary school. My youngest daughter is Lea, an Old English name that seemed very fitting because it means, “meadow”. There are a few Leahs in her school, but it’s not over-run with them. I followed the same path that was typical of many of my peers. I picked names that were not usual, common, or ordinary; but nothing that would make people’s jaws drop or eyebrows rise.

Now my nephew and his wife are expecting a baby and I was very interested to see what names they would come up with. Given their choices, it seems reasonable to assume that they were drawn to some of the hottest name style choices these days: the unusual and unique. But without really thinking about it, this couple took it just a little bit further and managed to find unusual names that have something extra. That additional, interesting quality. This is the definition of a “rare” name in my mind. It’s a bit illusive when you try to distinguish it from simply an unusual or uncommon name—but much different non the less. A rare name is not simply one that few others have; it’s a cut above.

So, what are my nephew and niece-in-law’s choices? My nephew has a Mexican heritage so they looked at Spanish names for boys and came up with Gustavo. Like my nephew’s own name, this one has a formal, exotic flair to it, but can be shortened to a very Canadian sounding “Gus”. This gives this name that special something—a common rhythm with his father’s—that makes it a more than just an unusual choice but also a rare choice.

If they have a girl baby (and the ultrasound seems to hint at this), they have chosen the name Evangeline, and will call her Eva for short. Again, this name has a formal version plus a beautiful short-form. it’s a very unusual name that means “bringer of good news”, which conveys a wonderful feeling of bright hope and expectation. Added to this, is the fact that a Great Grandmother’s name was Eva. In my mind this is another “rare” baby name choice.

So is it worthwhile to follow this newest trend and take the time to find a really “rare” name for your baby girl or baby boy? Absolutely. If you want a name that’s just a little off the beaten track, why not go that extra distance and come up with something truly selective and significant. Your child will carry his or her name for life and will definitely appreciate the story about why their name was such a rare find and therefore just right for them.

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Celebrity Baby Names

Celebrities are not like everyday people. They have busy schedules, drive expensive cars, and wear jewelry that others can only dream of owning. Maybe it is because celebrities are so far removed from normal life that they often give their babies unusual names.

Some names are just a little different. John Travolta and Kelly Preston have two beautiful children. Their daughter’s name is Ella Bleu. Their son’s name is Jett. Jett is different, but anyone who knows anything about John Travolta knows he has a love for flying. Gwyneth Paltrow, pregnant again, came under scrutiny for naming her first child Apple. While it is unusual, it is somewhat cute, like in the “apple of their eye.” Chris Martin, her husband, tired of the controversy over the name Apple, has jokingly stated their second child, whether male or female, will be named Banana. Another cute name is Dandelion, the name of Keith Richards’ daughter. Julie Roberts recently gave birth to twins – a boy and a girl – and received flack over the names she chose. She received almost as much grief over the choice for her daughter’s name, Hazel, as she did the more eccentric choice of Phinnaeus for her son.

Many people speculated what Madonna would name her first child. Lourdes Maria seems a fitting name for child who’s mother’s name is Madonna, but she often goes by Lola. Her son is named Rocco, which sounds a bit like a cartoon character, but at least it is a tough sounding name. Actor Casey Affleck and fiancé Summer Phoenix recently had a son named Indiana August, which leads one to wonder what state and month their son was conceived in. Toni Braxton has two sons, Denim and Diezel. While both useful products, they make somewhat strange names for children. Rob Marrow decided it would be cute if he named his daughter Tu Simone Ayer, calling her Tu Morrow. Wonder if she will think it is cute 20 years from now? Actor Jason Lee named his son Pilot Inspektor, but magician Penn Jillette may have topped them all. He named his daughter, Moxie Crimefighter, saying “because when she’s pulled over for speeding she can say, `But officer, we’re on the same side, my middle name is CrimeFighter.”‘

If you think it is a new trend, think again. Back in 1971, David Bowie and his then wife Angela decided to name their son Duncan Zowie Heywood Jones. He soon became known as Zowie Bowie. Cher named her children Chastity Sun and Elijah Blue.

The Phoenix family is well known for their unusual choice of baby names. Summer Phoenix’s siblings are the late actor River Phoenix, actresses Rain and Liberty Phoenix and actor Joaquin Phoenix. Joaquin felt his name was so out of place with his siblings, that when he was four, he decided to change his name to Leaf. By the early 1990’s, he had reverted back to using his birth name. Another family infamous for their choices of baby names is the Zappa family. Frank’s children are Dweezil, Moon Unit, Ahmed Emuukha Rodan and Diva Muffin. While many people think that Dweezil is his given name, his birth name was originally Ian Donald Calvin Euclid Zappa because the hospital refused to register the name Dweezil. Always called Dweezil, when he was a child, he wanted to make the name official and his parents took him to have it changed legally. Paula Yates, former wife of Sir Bob Geldof and girlfriend of late rocker Michael Hutchence, also had a knack for giving her children unusual names. Among her brood are Fifi Trixibelle, Peaches Honeyblossom Michelle Charlotte Angel Vanessa, Heavenly Hiraani Tigerlily, and Little Pixie.

Some celebrity baby names make sense if you know the story behind them. Eurythmic’s Dave Stewart named his son Django after jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Stevie Wonder named his son Mandla Kadjaly Carl Stevland, however Mandla means “powerful” in Zulu and Kadjaly means “born from God” in Swahili. Helen Hunt just gave birth to a baby girl she named Makena’lei Gordon. The name Makena’lei is from a friend’s dream and means “many flowers of heaven.” Gordon, an unlikely girl’s name, was to honor of Helen’s father, television director Gordon Hunt. Nicolas Cage just named his new baby boy Kal-el. Because Nicolas took his stage name of Cage from comic book character Luke Cage, he decided to name his son Kal-el after one of his favorite comic book heroes. Kal-el is Superman’s kryptonian name.

So, do the children like these unconventional names given them by their parents? In some cases, they do. The Phoenix’s seem to love their nature-inspired names and the Zappa children seem to have had no ill effects from their eccentric names. However, some children tire of the peculiar names quickly. Zowie Bowie had had enough of his moniker by the time he was 12 and asked to be referred to as “Joey.” Although Dandelion Richards does not seem too bad, she has since started referring to herself as Angela. Recently, Peaches Honeyblossom Michelle Charlotte Angel Vanessa Geldof has been the most outspoken about the odd choice her parents made in naming her. She has been quoted as saying, “I hate ridiculous names. My weird name has haunted me all my life.”

While having an unusual name might be difficult for any child, the celebrity of a child’s parents may enhance it even further. Thankfully, celebrity children who decide they don’t like their given names can switch to a nickname or even eventually have their names legally changed.

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Top 100 Baby Name Lists In 2005

Check out the Top 100 Baby Name Lists for baby girls and baby boys . This list was compiled by the Social Security Administration of the USA.

Rank

Male name

Female name

1

Jacob

Emily

2

Michael

Emma

3

Joshua

Madison

4

Matthew

Abigail

5

Ethan

Olivia

6

Andrew

Isabella

7

Daniel

Hannah

8

Anthony

Samantha

9

Christopher

Ava

10

Joseph

Ashley

11

William

Sophia

12

Alexander

Elizabeth

13

Ryan

Alexis

14

David

Grace

15

Nicholas

Sarah

16

Tyler

Alyssa

17

James

Mia

18

John

Natalie

19

Jonathan

Chloe

20

Nathan

Brianna

21

Samuel

Lauren

22

Christian

Ella

23

Noah

Anna

24

Dylan

Taylor

25

Benjamin

Kayla

26

Logan

Hailey

27

Brandon

Jessica

28

Gabriel

Victoria

29

Zachary

Jasmine

30

Jose

Sydney

31

Elijah

Julia

32

Angel

Destiny

33

Kevin

Morgan

34

Jack

Kaitlyn

35

Caleb

Savannah

36

Justin

Katherine

37

Austin

Alexandra

38

Evan

Rachel

39

Robert

Lily

40

Thomas

Megan

41

Luke

Kaylee

42

Mason

Jennifer

43

Aidan

Angelina

44

Jackson

Makayla

45

Isaiah

Allison

46

Jordan

Brooke

47

Gavin

Maria

48

Connor

Trinity

49

Aiden

Lillian

50

Isaac

Mackenzie

51

Jason

Faith

52

Cameron

Sofia

53

Hunter

Riley

54

Jayden

Haley

55

Juan

Gabrielle

56

Charles

Nicole

57

Aaron

Kylie

58

Lucas

Katelyn

59

Luis

Zoe

60

Owen

Paige

61

Landon

Gabriella

62

Diego

Jenna

63

Brian

Kimberly

64

Adam

Stephanie

65

Adrian

Alexa

66

Kyle

Avery

67

Eric

Andrea

68

Ian

Leah

69

Nathaniel

Madeline

70

Carlos

Nevaeh

71

Alex

Evelyn

72

Bryan

Maya

73

Jesus

Mary

74

Julian

Michelle

75

Sean

Jada

76

Carter

Sara

77

Hayden

Audrey

78

Jeremiah

Brooklyn

79

Cole

Vanessa

80

Brayden

Amanda

81

Wyatt

Ariana

82

Chase

Rebecca

83

Steven

Caroline

84

Timothy

Amelia

85

Dominic

Mariah

86

Sebastian

Jordan

87

Xavier

Jocelyn

88

Jaden

Arianna

89

Jesse

Isabel

90

Devin

Marissa

91

Seth

Autumn

92

Antonio

Melanie

93

Richard

Aaliyah

94

Miguel

Gracie

95

Colin

Claire

96

Cody

Isabelle

97

Alejandro

Molly

98

Caden

Mya

99

Blake

Diana

100
Carson
Katie
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Top Ten Baby Names-Most Popular Baby Names From Around The World

Unfortunately, not all countries keep track of their Most Popular Baby names. However, here are the Top Ten Baby Names Lists from various different countries around the world.

Austrian

Girls Names

Boys Names

Anna Lucas
Sarah Florian
Leonie Tobias
Julia David
Lena Fabian
Laura Julian
Hannah Simon
Katharina Alexander
Lisa Michael
Sophie Sebastian

Chile

Girls Names

Boys Names

Constanza Benjamin
Catalina Matias
Valentina Vicente
Javiera Martin
Martina Sebastian
Sofia Diego
Maria Nicolas
Antonia Juan
Fernanda Jose
Fransisca Cristobal

England and Whales

Girls Names

Boys Names

Jessica Jack
Emily Joshua
Sophie Thomas
Olivia James
Chloe Oliver
Ellie Daniel
Grace Samuel
Lucy William
Charlotte Harry
Katie Joseph

Finland

Girls Names

Boys Names

Emilia Johnannes
Olivia Matias
Katariina Aleksi
Amanda Antero
Matilda Tapani
Emma Samuel
Iida Emil
Ella Leevi
Aada Rasmus
Karoliina Ville

France

Girls Names

Boys Names

Camille Lucas
Chloe Theo
Clara Thomas
Emma Hugo
Ines Maxime
Lea Antoine
Manon Clement
Marie Alexander
Oceane Quentin

Germany

Girls Names

Boys Names

Marie Maximilian
Sophie Alexander
Maria Paul
Anna, Anne Leon
Leonie Lukas
Lea (h) Luca
Laura Felix
Lena Jonas
Katharina Tim
Johanna David

Ireland

Girls Names

Boys Names

Emma Sean
Katie Jack
Sarah Conor
Amy Adam
Aoife James
Ciara Daniel
Sophie Cian
Chloe Luke
Leah Michael
Niamh Aaron

Italy

Girls Names

Boys Names

Maria Giuseppe
Anna Giovanni
Giuseppina Antonio
Rosa Mario
Angela Luigi
Giovanna Francesco
Teresa Angelo
Lucia Vincenzo
Carmela Pietro
Caterina Salvatore

Phillipines

Girls Names

Boys Names

Maricel Michael
Michelle Ronald
Jennifer Ryan
Janice Joseph
Mary Grace Joel
Jocelyn Jeffrey
Catherine Marlon
Mary Ann Richard
Rowena Noel
Grace Jonathan

New Zealand

Girls Names

Boys Names

Emma Joshua
Sophie Jack
Ella Benjamin
Emily Samuel
Jessica Daniel
Hannah Jacob
Olivia Ethan
Grace James
Charlotte Thomas
Georgia Matthew

Northern Ireland

Girls Names

Boys Names

Katie Jack
Emma Matthew
Ellie James
Sophie Adam
Amy Daniel
Sarah Ben
Chloe Ryan
Niamh Dylan
Aimee Conor
Rachel Jamie

Norway

Girls Names

Boys Names

Emma Markus
Thea Mathias
Ida Jonas
Sara Kristian
Julie Tobias
Emilie Alexander
Hanna Adrian
Nora Henrik
Malin Andreas
Ingrid Martin

Scotland

Girls Names

Boys Names

Emma Lewis
Ellie Jack
Amy Cameron
Sophie James
Chloe Kyle
Erin Ryan
Rachel Ben
Lucy Callum
Lauren Matthew
Katie Jamie

Spain

Girls Names

Boys Names

Lucia Alejandro
Maria David
Paula Daniel
Laura Pablo
Marta Adrian
Alba Alvaro
Andrea Javier
Claudia Sergio
Sara Carlos
Nerea Marcos

 

Look for other top ranking Popular Baby Names Using The Baby Names Optimizer. Good Luck!

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Uncommon And Unusual Baby Names

Unusual Baby Names, as well as Uncommon Baby Names are gaining momentum as choices for babies. There is a great trend today towards names that are unique and creative, and North American parents are going far a field to find Baby Names that sound delightful, have great meanings, and fit comfortably into American culture.

There are many wonderful sources for these Uncommon and Unusual Baby Names. They are often from far-away lands that give us a sense of mystery and romance. For instance:

Vietnamese Names Are Usually Short, Poetic, And Reflect Beautiful Sentiments Such As Nature, Love And Peace. Uncommon and unusual baby names-smiling girl

Tien

A Girls Name Meaning
Fairy, Spirit, Or Angel

 

Africans Believe That The Name Chosen For Their Children Will Exert An Influence On The Life Of That Child. African Names Are Appealing And Melodic, And Often Their Meanings Coincide With The Day The Child Was Born, Or The Parent’s Reaction To The Birth. Unusual and uncommon baby names-girl reaching out

Abena

A Girl’s Name Meaning Born On Tuesday

 

Hawaiian Names Are Full Of Vowel Sounds And Melody. They Are Soft And Flowing And Describe Lovely Sentiments And/Or Nature. Uncommon and unusual baby names-handsome boy

Kalani

Of The Heavens

The choices are boundless, and you can be sure that picking an unusual, uncommon, or exotic name will give your child something to be proud of and something that is meaningful to him or her.

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Baby Boy Names, Baby Girl Names-More Tips!

Finding Baby Boy Names and Baby Girl Names that are just perfectcan seem like a daunting task. However, there are many ways to make it easier, and it’s important to remember that this should be an enjoyable time.

Here are some helpful tips for choosing Baby Names and Meanings:

Baby boy names-crying baby girl

Try Shouting Out The Name You’ve Chosen And See If It Still Sounds Good To You!

  1. Keep a list of all the names you’ve thought of handy, so you can add new ones to it as you think of them.
  2. Talk about it with others. If you’re comfortable with the entire family getting involved, don’t be afraid to ask them what they think.
  3. If you don’t want to be pressured by others in the naming process, consider not telling people the names you have chosen until after the birth.
  4. Be compromising with your spouse. It’s important that you both like what you’ve chosen. If necessary, use one choice for the given and one for the middle name.
  5. Choose names for both genders even if the ultrasound has told you are having one sex or the other. They do sometimes get it wrong!
  6. Be flexible. If possible have a couple of choices picked out. You may find that when your baby finally makes his appearance he doesn’t look like an “Andrew” at all!
  7. Most children have 3 names, but this isn’t mandatory. If you prefer, you can choose to use just a middle initial, or have no middle or several middle names. Remember, however, that a very long name can be a problem in the future when filling out forms!
    Baby boy names-beautiful baby

    Be Flexible. Choose Several Names, Just In Case Your Baby Doesn’t Seem To Suit The One Name You’ve Chosen!

  8. Think carefully about using the same first initial as another member of the family—this can become inconvenient later on when initials are used to identify possessions in the household.
  9. Consider calling your baby by their middle name if the first must be handed down. This avoids the “Junior” complex and makes your child feel like an individual.
  10. If using a family name, ask around to see if other relatives intend to use the same one, so you don’t have many family members with exactly the same name.
  11. If you don’t want to use family names try using just the initials. If your father’s given and middle names are “Robert Douglas” you may decide to name your baby “Ryan David”.
  12. You can use ethnic variations of names. If your grandfather was called Giovanni, for instance, you may choose “John” which is the English form of that Italian name.
  13. Another common choice is to use the Mother’s maiden name as a first or middle name.
  14. If you are stuck on 2 choices and can’t decide which one to use, consider combining them. For example, Carleigh and Katelyn.
  15. Avoid cutesy names or using a nickname. This can backfire if your child is 65 and still going by the name of “Baby”.
  16. Beware of names you give your baby while you are pregnant. Sometimes they can stick. You don’t want your baby going through life being called, “Peanut”!
  17. Don’t name your baby after a beloved pet! Your son might find it disconcerting to discover that you named him “Ben” after your favorite goldfish!
  18. Don’t choose the name of someone you dislike. Even if you love it, you might find it difficult to get over the negative connotations this name brings with it.
  19. Don’t tell your other children that they can name the baby. You’d be surprised at how many Sponge Bob Square Pants we’d have if everyone did this!
  20. Say your choice out loud—does it sound good? Melodious, harsh?
  21. Shout it out the back door several times. Do you feel comfortable using this name?
  22. Don’t be pressured by anyone. The important thing about this decision is that the name is one you and your partner like.
  23. Don’t rush. This is an important decision—names are permanent things! Take your time and really enjoy the process.

 

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Unique Baby Names Are The Hot Trend These Days

Cool and Unique Baby Boy Names and Baby Girl Names are the result of today’s hottest naming trends, as it appears that many parents are looking for the Uncommon, Exotic, and Unusual.

We are definitely opting for unique baby names that are less familiar and that give our children a feeling of distinction (as a matter of fact, since 1993 there have been close to 1000 girls actually named “Unique” each year in North America.) In the 1950s, the top 10 names for both boys and girls made up a whopping 25 % of all names given to babies each year. In the 2000s, the top 10 boys and girls names account for only 10% of all names. This means that we are choosing a wider variety of names and tending to avoid the old standards.

So what, exactly, are the biggest naming trends today?

Old Fashioned is Fashionable

Traditional names from the 1800s are definitely back in fashion, especially for girls. Keep in mind, though, that some of these are incredibly popular and found consistently on the top 10 list. However, other names have been pulled from the less popular ranks and are starting to get new attention. These names include Alice, Charlotte, Lillian, and Miriam for girls; Julian, Lance, Russell, and Oliver for boys.

James not Jim

Unique baby names-girl with curly hair

Excuse Me, But Who Are You Calling Lizzy? My Name Is Elizabeth!

Despite our desire for individuality, there are some popular Traditional names that have stood the test of time and will not be shaken from our favorites list. This is especially true for boys’ names, where we tend to be less adventuresome. But even here we are creating new trends by avoiding the common nicknames and retaining the full formal names that sound more distinguished and less ordinary. For example, Jim, Bob, and Bill are now very firmly James, Robert, and William, and Elizabeth will tell you that she is definitely not a “Liz”.

Creative Spelling 101

Where we were once happy to simply replace a “Y” with an “I”, we are now tending to be more creative with the spelling of a name. This is especially true for those traditional favorites. For instance, Nicholas has been given a modern twist with Nickolas, Niclas, Nikolaus, Nichalas, etc…and Emily is now often Emalee, Emilly, Emmaly, or Emyle. An interesting consideration, if you are keen to follow this trend, is that the Institute for Naming Children Humanely (yes, this organization does actually exist!) states that the average child with an unusually spelt name will spend 58 days of her life spelling her name out for people!

Let’s Be Inspirational

Unique baby names-thoughful baby

Inspirational Names That Create Positive Feelings And Images Are Popular Choices Today.

Another common naming trend today is to use a word that people relate to with positive feelings. These inspirational and unique baby names can be of places, sentiments, occupations, or have other meanings that people generally feel good about. Names such as River, Faith, Justice, Unity, and Judge are examples. However, care must be taken that they don’t create a stereotypical impression that your child may not want to live up to.

Last Names First

Surnames, which have been popular in the past for use as middle names, are now becoming a hit as first names. They tend to be strong sounding and androgynous, which is another up and coming trend. Especially popular, are surnames that contract to feminine nicknames for girls, or masculine nicknames for boys. Examples of these are Madison (Maddy), Emerson (Emmy), Patterson (Patty) for girls or Jackson (Jack), Bradshaw (Brad), Hudson (Hud) for boys. Many of these names also describe occupations–another hot naming trend.

What’s Good For The Goose

Unisex names are a top pick these days. However, since names that were once equally popular boys or girls names seem to establish a more feminine feel over time, this trend is more common with girls. Boys with unisex names can often be the object of teasing and find this hard to live with. Some of these names include Ashley, Courtney, Jody, and Kelsey. However, some unisex names seem to have maintained a firm footing in both the boys’ and girls’ camp. Examples of these are Alex, Brett, Cameron, Riley, Rory, and Quinn.

Something Exotic

Our desire for individuality has taken us to different parts of the world in search of a creative choice. Celtic names have been particularly popular in the past few years, bringing us boys names such as Liam, Dylan, Aidan, and girls names like Brynn, MacKenzie, and Kaitlin. However, Russian, Swahili, Hawaiian, and other exotic ethnic names are gaining popularity and supplying us with very unique baby names. How about Elan (Native American), Kia (African), Laela (Arabic), and Helena (Greek)?

Can’t Find It? Invent It!

For those who really want Unique Baby Boy Names or Baby Girl Names—one of the newest trends is to just invent it. One of the most popular methods is to simply string two or three different sounds together into something that is pleasing to the ear. It seems that the sounds that top inventor’s lists are sharp beginnings with long vowel sounds in the middle (i.e. Kay, Jay, Bai, Hay, Ty) and then certain standard endings are added. Some examples of these would be Kaylin, Baileigh, Jayden, and Braydon. A second inventive trend is to join two names into something original. How about Katelyn, Leeann, Raeann, Tedrick, or Tyshawn?

It’s All About Branding

We’ve all heard the talk these days about how important branding is to a product’s success. But what about brand names for your baby? This is one of the newest and most controversial trends in naming today. This trend apparently reflects the aspirations that parents have for themselves and for their children, and can include brand names of luxury cars, perfume, clothing, and even food. So if you want a really different name for your child, look to your favorite consumer goods. Choices today include Infiniti, Chevy, Chanel, Cannon, and Armani. Believe it or not, in the year 2000, 2 babies were actually named ESPN!

So, if you are into trends and wanting something a bit different in a name—try one of the above. Unique Baby Names will give give your child something that is distinctly his or hers!

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Modern Baby Names Or Traditional? Popular Or Unusual? What’s Your Style?

It can be difficult to decide on a style of Baby Name that’s right for you. The first step is to define what exactly Traditional, Popular, Unusual and Modern Baby Names are.

Traditional Baby Names

Modern baby names-baby blowing

Andrew? Or Armani?

These names are usually good, old-fashioned names that our parent’s parents were given. Many of them are biblical and are still common choices today. A child with a traditional name is unlikely to need to explain their name to friends or acquaintances.

A Traditional name can be Popular or Unusual. Some Traditional names have been hot items forever, while others are just starting to make a come back. There are still other Traditional names that have such an old-fashioned flavor that they are unlikely to ever be back on the scene. Names like Bertha, Ethel, Mabel, Clarence, Ernest, and Elmer were very popular in the 1800’s but just seem out of touch today.

If you choose the more common Traditional names (interestingly enough, 10 out of 10 of the top boys names in the 2000’s are Traditional, and 8 out of 10 of the top girls names in the 2000’s are Traditional), you are faced with the probability that your child will be one of 4 or 5 children in his or her class with the same name.

Modern Baby Names (Trendy)

Modern baby names-messy baby

Sarah? Or Sumalee?

These are names that are in vogue at one particular time. Occasionally a trend can involve the use of Traditional names, but usually it is a bit more “out there”.

Today’s trends include unusual spellings of more common names, the use of brand names such as Lexus and Armani, and totally made-up names—these are often copied from celebrities who seem to have this trend down pat! These are names that are more likely to be in need of explanation. “I’ve never heard of that name” or “That’s not how I would spell it” are often associated with them.

It’s important to remember that trends can give us names that are pleasing for years to come, or names that just sound plain odd when the trend is over. An example of the first is the trend several years ago to “J” names. This brought many Jessicas, Jennas, Jasons, and Jonathans into the world. These names are still holding strong. However, will Armani, Infinity, Chevrolet, Canon, and Chanel fare as well? And will a child with one of these names think their name is weird or strange down the road?

If you are considering a Modern or Trendy baby name it would be wise to try and determine if the trend is one that has staying power.

Popular Baby Names

These names, by definition, are more common than other names. At this time both Trendy and Traditional names can make this list. A girl or boy whose name is Popular, is likely to have several classmates with the same name and will have no problems having their name accepted by the crowd.

Some research has shown that children with Popular names do better in school (this research, however, seems to be up for debate). They may feel more accepted by their classmates and therefore find it easier to fit in. However, if you are picking a Popular name, be prepared to have at least 3 or 4 of your child’s classmates sporting the same one.

Unusual Baby Names

Names that aren’t heard very often are obviously Unusual. They are often ethnic in origin and are picked because they have a sound or meaning that particularly appeals to the parents. Children with these names are often asked to explain or spell them. They are unlikely to have classmates with the same name and will stand out from the crowd because their name has not been heard before.

It is thought that children with Unusual Baby Names can benefit by having greater self esteem because they feel they are unique. The uniqueness of their names can make them feel special which may also increase their confidence with peers. As with Trendy names, it’s good to try and determine if the Unusual name you are picking will stand the test of time. If Dweezil or Moon Unit appeals to you, you may want to think again.

So what should you do?

Experts have suggested that parents who admire and cultivate certain characteristics will chose names that reflect these, and in this way they will help to foster them in their children. Therefore, parents who enjoy traditional values will tend to gravitate to Traditional names. Parents who appreciate creativity, imagination, and freethinking will pick Unusual or Trendy names. Finally, parents who value harmony and convention will chose Popular names.

Furthermore, because the characteristics represented by these types of names are highly valued by the parents, any disadvantages that come along with them will be easily dealt with. For example, children with Popular and/or Traditional names will be raised in such a way that they enjoy being one of a group, while children with Unusual and/or Trendy names will learn to revel in their uniqueness.

So the message seems to be that by following your heart you will be picking the perfect type of name for your baby.

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Cute Baby Names-Guidelines And Tips

Cute Baby Names and Meanings can be tough to choose. And because the name you give to your baby will undoubtedly stick with him or her for the rest of their life, the decision is not something to be taken lightly. On the other hand, picking Baby Names should be a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

Fortunately, there are a few guidelines you can follow that will make the process easier. Keeping these things in mind will insure that you create a list of cute baby names to choose from-ones that are as wonderful as she is!

Harmony

Cute baby names-wide eyed baby

Long Surnames Tend To Suit Short First Names Better Than Longer Ones. For Example, Anastasia Lichensteinburg Can Be A Mouthful!

  • The name you choose should sound balanced with your last name. The full name should have a pleasant rhythm and be melodious. Generally speaking, first and last names that have unequal numbers of syllables sound the best together.
  • Longer surnames tend to suit shorter given names and visa versa. For example, a short last name such as “Jones” goes well with a longer first name such as “Alexandria”.
  • First names that end in vowels don’t generally sound good with last names that also start or end with a vowel. For example, Amanda Alda has too many “a” sounds and is just plain hard to say!
  • First and last names that rhyme are not a good idea. Jason Mason not only sounds strange, but it can be a source of all kinds of playground jokes.

Significance

  • The name you pick should have a special meaning or significance for you. It should convey positive feelings and bring pleasing thoughts to your mind.
  • Consider names that are important to you because they are from family members, other world figures you love or respect, or from your ethnic background and heritage.
  • Many names can be particularly suited to your child, and have extra meaning to you and to your child later in life. For example, “Noel”, for a child born on Christmas day.
  • Don’t forget that your child’s middle name also lends itself to being something meaningful for you.

Ancestry and Heritage

Cute baby names-baby wearing baseball hat

Picking A Name From Your Ethnic Background Can Give It More Meaning.

  • A name choice can reflect your heritage and culture, and therefore be more meaningful. If your ancestry is of a specific ethnicity, consider a name from that country.
  • You may follow a religion that makes certain names particularly appealing. Those of the Roman Catholic faith often pick Saints’ names. Jewish parents often choose from the Old Testament and many Protestants children are named from the Old and New Testament.

Individuality

  • Deciding upon a very unique or popular name is always difficult. Making this decision first will help you limit the many name choices that are out there.
  • Consider that with a very trendy or popular name, your child is likely to have several other children with the same name in their class at school. Remember the Kathy 1, Kathy 2, Kathy 3, and Kathy 4 that might have been in your classroom? (Or was it Jessica G., Jessica S., Jessica P., and Jessica M.?)
  • Very unique names can make your child feel distinctive. However, if it’s too unique and sounds very odd to their classmates, they might be in for some teasing because of it. Be careful about being too creative.
  • Be careful of pronunciations and spelling. If the name you choose is very difficult to spell, your child will be constantly needing to correct people and this can become tiring after a while. On the other hand, slight variations in spelling can be a good way of making a common name more unique.
  • Inventing a name can be fun and insure that your child has a very distinctive name. However, be aware that they may become embarrassed or grow tired of explaining their name to others time and again.

Appropriateness

  • Make sure that the name you pick will be appropriate for your child during all the stages of their life. Think about them using that name on their first day of school, at the time of their first interview, while saying their wedding vows, etc…
  • If you choose a very trendy name, try to determine if that name will stand the test of time. Or, will your child be saddled with a name that was popular at one time but seems very dated by the time they’re 45! Remember Bambi?
  • Consider that same gender names can be difficult for a child because they must continually explain their gender. This is usually more difficult for boys who have a name that could cause them to be mistaken for a girl.
  • It’s important to think carefully before giving a child a name the carries a lot of positive or negative connotations. This may prove too difficult for them to live up to or to live down! For example: Tiger or Adolph.
  • Juniors can also have a lot to live up to and it can be difficult having 2 people with the same name in one household.

Nicknames and Initials

  • When you’ve finally chosen a name for your baby, make sure that the combination of initials of their complete name doesn’t’t create something that is potentially embarrassing. For example, “Amanda Sara Stevens” can have some pretty rotten consequences. However, you can get some satisfaction out of the fact that experts feel that teasing based on names and nicknames is less common these days.
  • Also consider any nicknames that your child is likely to get from the name you give them. Do you like the possibilities? You may be determined that your “Jonathon” will remain a “Jonathon”, however you can’t avoid the fact that some of his friends, or even himself, might prefer Jon or Jonny.
  • If you prefer the sound of a nickname, think about registering your child’s name as formal version any ways. This gives your child a chance to use that name in the future. For instance, you may want to call your baby “Kate”, but if you register her name as “Katherine” she will have options later in life.

If you’ve found the perfect baby name and it doesn’t’t follow some of these rules—don’t worry. The most important rule is that you and your partner love the name you’ve picked!