How to Give Your Baby a Name You Can Both Live With

What you choose for a baby name will be carried with your child throughout their entire lifetime. It is the first word your baby will learn to respond to and the first word he will learn to write. It is how your baby will form his identity. Choosing a baby name should not be done lightly. 

Create a positive image
There is research that suggests that having a name that is perceived as positive is an advantage to your child as he matures and forms his own identity. Names with negative attributes tend to cause difficulties in the development of a positive self image. Children who like their names certainly fair better in social and psychological adjustment. The reaction to a name by those around the child undoubtedly effect the child's attitude towards his or her name. There are; however, many features that determine how your baby name will be perceived by others.

Avoid cute plays on words
What may seem like a cute play on words to you, is unlikely to viewed by your child as cute. If your last name is Head, it is not a good idea to name your baby Butt. It might get a chuckle from your friends and may seem catchy to you, but do you really want to sentence your baby to a life as a Butt Head? Bud Weiser and Jack Daniels are not names that will promote a positive self image.

Your passions
The same applies to naming your baby after your particular passions in life. Who really wants to be known a Blue Bird or Black Hawk Downs? Justin Tune and Katz Meow undoubtedly faced years of teasing and ridicule from their friends. Save your catchy phrases for other pursuits, but please spare you baby a lifetime of aggravation.