10 Things To Consider When Picking A Baby Name

Pronunciation

One of the essential qualities a name should possess is that it should be easily pronounceable. There is no point in choosing a name which no one else can pronounce and will get frustrating for your child after a while.

Dirty connotations

First impressions are important and the last thing you want is for your child’s name to cause people to think dirty thoughts. So try to avoid common stripper names like ‘Candy’, ‘Cherry’, ‘Roxy’ and ‘Raven’ when picking a baby name.

Absurd

Picking a baby name that is unusual has become a new trend nowadays largely due to the ridiculous names many celebrities choose for their babies. Examples include ‘Blue’ (Beyonce and Jay-Z), ‘Jermajesty’ (Jermaine Jackson) and ‘Brayden’ (Zoe Tay). In summary, if the name you are thinking of sounds ridiculous, then it probably is.

Controversial

Names with strong biblical associations such as ‘Jesus’, ‘Judas’, ‘Moses’ or historically controversial names like ‘Adolf’ and ‘Stalin’ should be avoided, unless you want to see people raise their eyebrows every time your child introduces themselves.

Common

My own name is very common and it is quite normal for there to be many other people with the same name as mine in its various spelling forms. The drawback of this is that it often leads to unnecessary comparisons between the various ‘Sean’, ‘Shaun’ or ‘Shawn’, and it does get annoying after a while.

Funny

Funny sounding names should definitely be avoided at all costs. If your friends are trying to constantly stifle a laughter every time you tell them your child’s name, then that particular name should definitely be avoided.

Outdated

Names go in and out of fashion and outdated names should be avoided. Examples include ‘Elizabeth’, ‘Helen’, ‘Albert’ and ‘John’.

Pressurising names

Some names do exert an unnecessary pressure on children, which can cause them considerable distress when they feel like they don’t live up to expectations associated with the name. Iconic names such as ‘Romeo’ or names such as ‘Grace’ or ‘Beauty’ should be avoided.

Bully magnet

Parents need to keep in mind that children are often excruciatingly childish and can be quite vicious bullies so make sure your child’s name does not become a bully magnet. Unless you want your child to be tortured at the playground for having a name like ‘April Foo’, please think carefully before deciding on a name.

Do your research

Whatever name you choose for your baby, do your research on the chosen name properly so you don’t end up embarrassing yourself. For example, not many people know that ‘Sean’, ‘Ian’ and ‘John’ are all actually the same names!

Written by

Sean Foo

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