Can we talk names for a minute?

Mistym05 · June 2011

DH and I started our list this past weekend but are having a hard time. We have a very unique last name and just sounds funny with a lot of names we like. I guess my question is when picking names do you look at it as a big picture first, middle, and last name or do you look at it just first name since baby will rarely be called by FN and LM except when in school? I never thought this would be as hard as it is!

gen2009 · June 2011

I look at the whole entire name and also the word, if any, the initials spell out.

missesBAD · June 2011

i guess i look at the whole name, but if i really loved a name i would probably go with it regardless.

either way it is extremely helpful to speak the full name out loud. just reading/thinking it doesn't give the full effect.

i love names and can't wait to name our LO! do you have any ideas so far?!

GingerWife · June 2011

We knew we wanted to have either FN or MN be a family name...so we started with a list of the family names we liked. Then we decided first name or middle name (I think we have decided to use the family names as middle names). Then we started coming up with first names we liked and made sure they sounded good First Last and First Middle Last.

We also are trying to pick names that will sound good wherever life may take them.

lucky81089 · June 2011

When the baby gets in trouble growing up, will you call it by its FN? How does it ring when you say FN sternly? I know that sounds silly, but I've always been told to try that! Also very important to think of what silly ways the names you choose can be made fun of. You can't protect your child of all ridicule, but IMO it's good to try to do your part and think those things through, especially if you think FN will be said in school for any reason. Little kids can be relentless bullies!

MAMAxB · June 2011

I think flow is really important.

There are some names I can't use though because of our last name

MissusW · June 2011

I am no expert so I bought a book on it that had a lot of historical information and rules *shrugs* The Baby Name Wizard by Laura Wattenburg.

JessieP76 · June 2011

I think the sound of the first and last name together is really important. As an adult, your LO will use his/her first and last name to introduce themselves and you want it to sound good together. I think within a few months after a baby is born, it's rare to use their middle name except on paper, unless you're doing an initial name.

LoveToTeach25 · June 2011

I do think about the flow of first name/last name.... but you may notice things other people don't.. For example, my first name is Julie and my maiden name ended with the long e sound, but is much longer/italian sounding. No one ever commented that they rhymed even though I noticed it.

In the long run, as long as it doesn't sound ridiculous, if you love a first name go for it!

Mistym05 · June 2011

My name now that I married sounds like a stripper or something so we know we are really trying to avoid doing that to our children. LOL

lucky81089 · June 2011

niccimax:

Your LO has to live with this name forever. Be able to spell it, not be laughed at, questioned on it and use it for life.

This!! Please, I am begging everyone here to give LO a name people can spell! I know it is trendy right now to give old names new spellings or W/E, but come on!

MissusW · June 2011

lucky81089:
niccimax:

Your LO has to live with this name forever. Be able to spell it, not be laughed at, questioned on it and use it for life.

This!! Please, I am begging everyone here to give LO a name people can spell! I know it is trendy right now to give old names new spellings or W/E, but come on!

I think you should read the book I mentioned. It discusses this and the differences between cultures and heritages which also come into play when deciding a name.

Mrs.MauiBride24 · June 2011

JessieP76:
I think the sound of the first and last name together is really important. As an adult, your LO will use his/her first and last name to introduce themselves and you want it to sound good together. I think within a few months after a baby is born, it's rare to use their middle name except on paper, unless you're doing an initial name.

Same here. We want to use family names as a MN for both girl and boy. Since I want to use them no matter what, I know some FN may not sound that great with them. I'm not as concerned about how all three sound together as I am about FN+LN.

urmyantichrist · June 2011

I focus on FN/LN more than anything, because in the grand scheme of things, most people do not use their MN's.. I think way too many people forget that, and think of the whole name, and don't really see if the FN and LN go well together alone, and end up with a cruddy sounding name unless it's said with the MN.

mjay79 · June 2011

I' m not too concerned with middle names. My son is Dean Stephen (Stephen is hubby and FIL's middle name) And my daughter (because we just couldn't pass it up) is Phoebe Snow with last name White.

Seeing as Snow is her middle name, people don't ever need to know it. Phoebe White sounds nice too.

Just make sure YOU like the name.

gen2009 · June 2011

niccimax:

I also think about initials - for example you wouldn't want to call your kid Andrew Scott Smith ASS. Or Roger Issac Peterson RIP. ya know?

"Your son, Rip, is on line toot."

Free2Sing · June 2011

I look at EVERYTHING. To the point of annoying, but names are really important to me.

-How do they sound individually
-First & last name together
-first, middle & last together
-initials- you can get in big trouble here! We picked out one name where the initials were WTF-- it was hilarious, but wouldn't be funny forever.
-say the name really fast. We love Annalee-- it's my parents middle names put together-- but when you say it a few times really fast, nearly everyone I ask usually comes out with 'anally' & boy, that could be rough in middle school!
-name meanings
-spelling

Of course, sometimes family names or if it's a name you just love, it will be worth it even if it doesn't 'fit all the criteria' but those are some things to think about.

Klawre05 · June 2011

we're looking at the whole name, how it sounds together, how will it sound as he/she grows older, will it be a good fit as they are entering the work force, etc.,

and also at the initials, again that it doesn't spell out anything that the he/she will hate or be ridiculed for, we actually know someone whose initials spell out

S.T.D Clapp (clapp being last name) but wow, poor guy i could never do that to our baby!

AmStarFree · June 2011

_fowler:

-say the name really fast. We love Annalee-- it's my parents middle names put together-- but when you say it a few times really fast, nearly everyone I ask usually comes out with 'anally' & boy, that could be rough in middle school!

Have you guys thought of Leanna? Could be cute.

Also, just a side note: Prior to getting married, my initials were ASS. My parents did not think it through when naming me. I LOVE my FN/MN, but I love it even more now that I am ASF. Please pay attention to this. My aunt is PMS and she hates it.

Free2Sing · June 2011

AmStarFree:
_fowler:

-say the name really fast. We love Annalee-- it's my parents middle names put together-- but when you say it a few times really fast, nearly everyone I ask usually comes out with 'anally' & boy, that could be rough in middle school!
Have you guys thought of Leanna? Could be cute.
Also, just a side note: Prior to getting married, my initials were ASS. My parents did not think it through when naming me. I LOVE my FN/MN, but I love it even more now that I am ASF. Please pay attention to this. My aunt is PMS and she hates it.

I have, but I've known many ppl in life that are named Leighann & I don't have a high opinion of any of them-- to the point that it makes me cringe to think of naming a kid that! (Sorry if anyone's name is that-- I don't know IRL names on here, so don't get offended) Ridiculous, I know-- but maybe I'll get over it by the time I have a girl-- or maybe I'll just have to go with a different name!

SassyPants150 · June 2011

niccimax:
I for sure start with names I like. Start with first names. Then work in the second names until you come up with a combo you like.
You have to think bigger picture - but if your last name is that odd - then maybe who cares?
I also think about initials - for example you wouldn't want to call your kid Andrew Scott Smith ASS. Or Roger Issac Peterson RIP. ya know?

A friend of mine had ASS become her initials when she got married and now she is deeply saddened she can no longer do fully monogrammed items

PinkaDoodle · June 2011

SassyPants150:
niccimax:

I for sure start with names I like. Start with first names. Then work in the second names until you come up with a combo you like.

You have to think bigger picture - but if your last name is that odd - then maybe who cares?

I also think about initials - for example you wouldn't want to call your kid Andrew Scott Smith ASS. Or Roger Issac Peterson RIP. ya know?

This for sure! Names are such a huge responsibility-they will have this for their ENTIRE LIFE! Wow.

A friend of mine had ASS become her initials when she got married and now she is deeply saddened she can no longer do fully monogrammed items

FinallyMrsM · June 2011

I look at the big picture. I grew up with a kid named Michael Hunt. (No Joke) I can show you my highschool year book.

jmckeag · June 2011

We kinda look at everything, but I heard somewhere the best thing you can do is make sure the three names each have a different number of syllables. That helps with the flow...

Melgor78 · June 2011

I'm looking at the whole name. I've seen some pretty bad full names and wondered if the parents took that in to account when picking the name or did they just pick a first name they liked.

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