Baby Names Galore

I just read an article on the Baby Name Trends for 2008 – I like to know what’s popular….so I can know what not to name my kids! (Although, my Aunt always loved Emily & Jacob and named her children that before they were too popular – and now they’re one of many.)

The first page of the article was on sentimental names – ones that are related to something special to you. like a special time or trip, a family memory – and Presidental names. Names that remind you of something are nice, assuming it’s something you’ll still want to remember in 20 years. I like the Presidental names (like Reagan, Lincoln, Madison, Jackson) because I think they sound good and strong. The last part of the first page talked about “customized” names – like Kaitlyn, Kaitlin, Caitlin or Caitlyn – which I’m not really that fond of. I hate it when people over individualize children’s name. I think if you do it too much, it starts to sound silly. I like unique names but not TOO unique, you know?

The next page of the article discussed family names and related sibling names (Ella and Emily, David and Daniel), noun names (River, Honor, Sunday) and foreign names. The related sibling names are cute but I’d hate to have to name all my kids “E” names or something like that. The noun names remind me too much of celebrity baby names. I know they’re not all like that but the reference in the article to looking up names in the dictionary…I guess it made me think of someone going, “Oh look, there’s a tree outside. I think I’ll name my child Tree! What a great name!” Foreign names are always beautiful in my book – nothing too outrageous, though. I like Ava and Sophia are both pretty but they’re both also in the Top Ten list of baby names.

The last page discussed last names as first names, short nicknames and spiritual names. I like the idea of last names as first names. Mason, Cooper, Harlow, Ashby – I think those are all neat names. I don’t care for short nicknames but that’s just a personal opinion. I figure if you’re going to call your daughter Jo, there’s no reason not to name her Josephine. My name is Shalynne (pronounced like Shay Lynn) and many people call me Shay. But I don’t think I would have liked my name as much if I was just Shay. I’m in the middle on spiritual names – I like Biblical names (like Ezekiel and Daniel) but I don’t like names like Heaven, Miracle or Nevaeh.

And as the article summed up, most people use a mixture of many different ideas to create their child’s name. Ultimately it’s up to you and what you think fits your child and their personality. No one has to approve it or even like it! Whatever you choose they will grow into and eventually like. Either that or they’ll go get a name change when they’re older.