Some parents have it clear from before knowing if it will be a boy or a girl. They choose a name for each possibility, or they can even go for a unisex name. But there are certain issues that we should take into account before deciding on the baby’s name .
Today the regulations and restrictions on what names cannot be given to the baby are not as strict as years ago, and this causes the saints to fall short for the examples that we have in any class or any neighborhood. Although traditional names have not been forgotten, “those of a lifetime”, which continue to fill the records. Be it in one case or another, you have to take into account some tips so as not to make a mistake in the choice.
- Know the origin of the name, its meaning. I think that no one would be thankful to find out over the years that his original name of Scandinavian, Mapuche or Egyptian origin (to give examples of lesser known onomastics in our environment) means “demon”.
- Know how it sounds or how we want it to be pronounced . People form an opinion based on our name, which influences even when it comes to shaping our own personality, and it is not about choosing names that are rude, pejorative or that recall insults … Therefore, they must be pronounced aloud. It has even happened to me with one of the possible names of my first daughter, when I heard it after seeing an ultrasound (“How little X is”), I immediately discarded it because I did not like how it sounded, I did not see it for her, no I identified that name with that ultrasound.
- Test the combination with the surnames. For the same reason as the previous point, you have to listen to how the name sounds combined with the surnames, write them to see possible foul mixtures … At this point I always remember, even if it is a humorous hyperbole, the names that Foam Gum chooses for its characters : Carmelo Cotón, Aitor Tilla, Benito Camela, Chema Pamundi …
- In the case of names of foreign origin, it is also advisable to make sure whether they refer to boys or girls, or if we arrive in a new country what the name we had in mind means there … For example, we may not like that our daughter Andrea always confuse with a boy in Italy (although there will also be those who do not care).
- It may be the case that one of the members of the couple shuffles a name that the other does not want because it reminds them of someone. It is usually an important reason to discard a name (and I see it logical, it has happened to me myself), but you have to try to make it abstract and not put that face on it, maybe the name is more beautiful than we thought at first.
- If our choice is motivated by a fashion, we will have to stop and think a little longer in the long term, whether or not we can regret that decision.
- If we choose the name of father, mother, or grandparents, let’s make sure that we do it convinced and not by tradition, pressures … It may be that in the future it will start to annoy us that people get confused if we are not very clear about it.
- Some will tell you that before deciding on the baby’s name, consult the family. Normally, it will not be necessary, and they will take care of giving you their unsolicited opinion. On the contrary, I would advise that, although listening to all opinions is lawful, we should not allow ourselves to be influenced by them or by pressures outside of yourself, the parents of the child. For this reason, it may also be a good idea not to communicate the name you want to give the baby before having it really clear.
- If you want to put an original name , because yours was very common, because you do not want to be called by their surname at school or for whatever reason … remember to consult tools such as the National Institute of Statistics to know the frequency of names . You can also take a look at dictionaries of exotic names, or names of rare origin in our language, such as Egyptian … Exclusive names are an upward trend.
- Can you put this name? We do not want to go to the registry with the name of our baby decided and to be told there that it cannot be put. There are different names forbidden in the world, each country will have its own. In any case, the regulations are becoming more and more lax and in reality what is to be avoided are offensive or profane names (along with siblings’ names, excessive number of names …). The problem often comes because what is offensive for some is not for others, and there are names of doubtful taste allowed in the world.
In short, despite all these tips to take into account before deciding on the baby’s name , there will continue to be bizarre and controversial cases that end up in court. So we do not forget the fundamental rule that is sometimes lacking: the common sense of parents , their responsibility when choosing a name.
Photo | Jon ovington
In Babies and more | Tips to make the right choice of the baby’s name, Give our children the name we want, What names can not be given to the baby
