A name is one of the most important gifts you’ll ever give your baby. It will shape baby’s identity and become one of her most prized possessions. People with well-chosen names are generally thought to be better adjusted, more popular, and more successful. The name you select for your baby can affect her self-esteem later on. Additionally, it will impact how other children respond to her, as early as grade school.

Some do’s and don’ts of naming your baby
• Avoid choosing first and last names that rhyme (i.e. Shelly Kelly), creating unusual or silly combinations (i.e. Candy Kane), or forming acronyms (i.e. IBM). Not only do these names deprive your child of individuality, but also they may make her the target of bad–and life-long– repetitive jokes.

• Beware of being cute. Remember that the baby won’t be a baby very long. Will the name you’re considering because it’s "cute" fit when your child is in school–or when your child is your age?

• Use conventional spelling. Otherwise, your child will have to go though life spelling the name over and over again. Ask people who are in that boat, and they’ll probably tell you that spelling is a pain (or "payne"), as the case may be.

• Consider family traditions. To be a Junior or III or whatever is considered an honor. But if dad is Dennis and son is also Dennis, it can become confusing. Likewise, choosing a name because it honors a beloved family member can be like giving your baby a precious gift–if the name is one with which you’re comfortable for other reasons as well. But if you don’t care for the family names that are being passed on, maybe it’s time to break with tradition.

• Think it over. Come up with a running list of names that both you and your spouse like. Say them aloud to each other and to other family members. Listen to how each sounds with your surname and observe how each goes over with friends and relatives. You may settle on a couple of names before baby is born. Or you may wait until you’re holding that brand new baby to decide whether she looks like an Amy or a Kristen.

Yes or no

Here are some more name questions to ask yourself:

• Is the name easy to pronounce?

• Does the name have religious significance?

• What results do you get when you put the initials of the first and last, or first, middle, and last names together? Do the initials spell unintended words, for example ASP or MAD?

• Does the name have a diminutive form you like?

• Are you choosing a name with your child, rather than yourself, in mind?

Here are some more name questions to ask yourself:

• Is the name easy to pronounce?

• Does the name have religious significance?

• What results do you get when you put the initials of the first and last, or first, middle, and last names together? Do the initials spell unintended words, for example ASP or MAD?

• Does the name have a diminutive form you like?

• Are you choosing a name with your child, rather than yourself, in mind?