Having a baby comes hand in hand with a whole lot of decision making. You have to consider things that you’d never considered before. Suddenly, you find yourself posed with the task of choosing between a seemingly endless array of prams. You have to decide which type of cot or moses basket you feel will be best for your newborn. You’ll find yourself weighing up the pros and cons of breastfeeding versus formula milk. You’re going to have to choose colour schemes for the baby’s room. You’ll end up mulling over toys, blankets, outfits, creams, diapers, car seats and more. But one of the most long lasting decisions that you will find yourself making when having a child is their name.
What’s In a Name?
Of course, names generally have little impact on your child’s wellbeing. But it is still a major decision to make. After all, this combination of letters and sounds are what your little one is likely to be referred to for the rest of their life. It will help to form their identity. It will separate them as unique individuals. Different cultures apply different significance to names. Some will name their children in line with traditions and family history. Some will name their child according to something that happened around the time of their birth. Some will give their child a name that aligns with the parents’ interests and values. Others will give a name that holds significant or symbolic meaning.
Choosing a Name
So, how can you go about choosing a name? There are so many out there and there’s also potential to make up a completely new name too! A good place to start out is to actively seek inspiration. Browse books filled with baby names or use a Name Generator to throw up ideas. You never know – you might stumble across the perfect name pretty quickly or by chance. If this approach doesn’t seem to be working, here are some alternative sources of inspiration that you can draw from.
Meaning
Different names can hold different meanings. If you feel that your child has a particular quality or something particular about them that stands out, you can emphasise or draw attention to this through their name. Their name can come to reflect them as a person. Some popular names with meanings include:
- Belle / Beau – these names mean “beautiful” in French. Belle is the feminine form of the word, while beau is the masculine form of the word.
- Felicity – this name is derived from the Latin word for “happiness”.
- Ayah – Ayah is a name that means “miracle” in Arabic.
Literature
If you’re into your books, you might want to derive a name from your favourite novel. Perhaps you have a character who speaks to you, who you admire, or who you are simply particularly fond of. Some common literature names include:
- Romeo – perhaps the best known romantics from one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays.
- Scout – this is an alternative one that can pay homage to Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Alice – a name for the imaginative, adventurous, and curious child, to be shared with Alice from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Film
If films are more your thing, you can derive plenty of beautiful baby names from film too! There are so many brilliant characters out there on the silver screen, as well as actors and actresses who might provide you with inspiration. Some good examples include:
- Forrest – who doesn’t love Forrest Gump? This film also has wonderful natural associations too!
- Audrey – Audrey Hepburn is an icon. This name will provide your little one with a classic touch of elegance.
- Amelie – Amelia is a French favourite played by Audrey Tautou. She’s truly quirky, eccentric, and unique!
Nature
Nature names can be pretty alternative and can connect your child to the Earth. They can be considered a breath of fresh air amongst other baby names. Consider:
- Eden – this is relatively Biblical, but it is also connotative of paradise and perfection.
- Iris – a blooming name for a blooming child.
- Aurora – sure, we may associate this name with the Disney princess from Sleeping Beauty, but an aurora is also a stunning light show in the sky, like the Aurora Borealis.
For some, choosing a baby name will be a simple and straightforward process. They’ll have had names stored away in their mind for years. But for others, the process may prove a little more difficult and some inspiration can help significantly! Hopefully, the above information will spark a few ideas in your mind!