Finding the perfect name for your baby can often seem like quite a challenge. After all, he will likely carry this name with him through his entire life, and, it is how everyone will refer to him. But, it can be pretty fun too! Some parents report a certain "knowing" about what to name their baby. Some will have dreams about a name, or just a feeling when they hear a name that it is exactly the right one. I've experienced it both ways. With my first son, we just knew. When we saw the name, we knew this was it if we had a boy. With our second it was a few days after he was born before he had a name. One thing you can take solace in is that they can always change it once they are of age if they feel another name works better for them!
Some parents go for the family name, a Jr. perhaps or a name of a relative that has passed on. This can narrow it down much more and make the whole thing a bit easier, but only if it is what both of the parents want. Extended family can feel like they are entitled to an opinion regarding your baby's name, however, it's opinion only (if you want even that!). The final choice of what to name your precious baby is up to you and your partner alone.
If you don't go with a family name, there are many resources out there that list potential baby names. From the internet to little books at the check out stand in the supermarket, you can find lists of baby names and usually their meanings in many places. When I was looking for help for my second son's name, I found quite a few great books at our local library. Be sure to research what the name means before you decide. You don't want to name you child something that has a negative meaning! There are many names with beautiful meanings though, and so to help narrow it down, take a look at how each one on you "favorites list" goes together with your last name. If it flows and you like it great! But some names just don't go together, like William Williamson or Mark Clark.
Once you settle on a first name, the next step is the middle name. Not quite as much pressure, but still very important. If you didn't choose a family name for your child's first name, maybe this would be a nice place to compromise. Middle names can also be used to accommodate both parental choices when both parents can't agree on one first name. One of the things you want to be careful of though when selecting a middle name, and even a first name, is whether or not it makes an acronym when all put together. For example, Christine Ophelia Wilson = COW or Benjamin Alfred Davis = BAD. As your baby matures, she/he may not be too pleased! The other thing is to make sure it isn't too cutesy like Candy Kane, or that you inadvertently make some other "joke" out of the name. I once knew a boy named Justin Case! These babies won't be babies forever, and they have to go by this name for at least 18 years.
Nicknames are also something to be considered. If you want to name your son Andrew, is it OK with you that people may call him Andy or even Drew? Just one more thing to think about and to discuss between you and your partner. You can stand firm on your choice to call him only Andrew, but it will require some correction over the years both on your part and your son's. This may be fine, or, it may not be. Only you can decide. You may also want to think about how difficult a name you like is to say or spell. While, this factor may not totally eliminate a favorite (people can always learn to say or spell something new and unique!), it may help you trim your list a bit.
While it may seem daunting at first, eventually you will find the perfect name for your lil' bundle. It is a huge privilege to bestow a name upon another. Take your time and consider your decision carefully. But, in the end, it is highly likely that you and your partner will end up knowing once you find the right one, and your baby will have the name that was meant for him, even if it is after he is already born!
