Lucky my mother wasn't reading Dracula

Hi R
Romeo - "What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet" ...


Today we are going for drinks to meet and greet the newest member on the street - Edith Lara (otherwise known as Edie) born 28/5/10.  Her mum is 40, had just given away all the baby stuff, had lined up a job with her youngest at school, then along came Edith, definitely a timeless name, having stood the test of centuries.

Some basic awareness factors to consider when choosing a baby name - from an ex-teacher, now a granny.

•  The name needs to have a positive connotation for you, a  meaningful definition, and be appropriate not only on the playground but as an adult.
•  In general, the number of syllables in the first name should not match the number of syllables in the last name. Common or easy to pronounce last name (i.e. Smith, Jones, Brown),  might find that an unusual or long first name can complement the last name eg Lucinda Brown. Combining a first name that ends in a vowel with a last name that starts with a vowel is usually not the best choice.
• The initials should not spell anything undesirable.What does the first name and last name together say eg Annette Curtin?!! etc)
• Pronunciation and spelling. Your child will need to continually correct an unusual pronunciation. (This is a real pain in the classroom). 
• If a child has a very uncommon or unique name, he or she might feel special from the rest of his friends because the name is uniquely his or hers. On the other hand the unique name might be looked upon as a strange and weird name by his classmates.  (Here, the teacher in me says don't go there.)
• Honour a family member (namesakes.)
  You can use the same name, a variation of the name or a version of a name that relates to family historical/ethnic background eg Ian is Scottish for John etc.  The middle name provides a unique opportunity perhaps to honour a family member when it is not desirable to be used as a first name. It can be a way to settle the name selection between parents. If needed to keep the family happy, the child can be given two middle names. 
• Be conscious of nicknames and variations.  You may want to select a name that can have many nicknames and variations. This will enable the child to have more control of his/her name when older. The disadvantage is that childhood nicknames can linger into adulthood and be uncomfortable. For example, Elisabeth has several nicknames including Liz, Beth, Lizzy, etc. .
• Popularity of the name can affect the child in good and bad ways. With some names being very popular, your child might have several classmates with the same name.
• Stereotypes  - For most people names call to mind a certain personality trait that often comes from a well known name sake be it fictional or real. (Some names invite 'kicking of sand in the face.' Others could be catagorised by the song, 'A Boy named Sue'.)
• Practice the baby's name and hear how it feels. You will say this name thousands of times. You will say it lovingly and in anger. You will whisper it when the child is asleep and yell it when dinner is ready.
• Some say to take in the ideas but keep the final name to yourself until your baby is born or about to be born. At this point it is too late for people to give you negative feedback about the name. Finally, do not let anyone ever pressure you into a name you do not like!  If you have found the perfect baby name, but it does not follow all these rules, then use it anyway. You like the name and that is the most important rule of all.

Phew - I had forgotten the enormity of the number of considerations in choosing a name.  So happy that my mother had considered all these factors - and then named me after a character is the book she was reading when she was pregnant.  Lucky it wasn't Dracula.
Clara