| What's in a Name? "What's in a name? That which | | | | going to choose a name that has been in your family |
| we call a rose By any other word would smell as | | | | for generations? Are you going to name your child |
| sweet." | | | | after a favored television or movie star? Some |
| --From Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2) | | | | parents name their children after favorite characters |
| Of course, new mothers and fathers know that there | | | | from books. |
| is a world of difference in naming your baby "Rose" as | | | | If there are names that you like, jot them down. When |
| opposed to "Skunkcabbage." When it comes to | | | | you hear a name that strikes a chord with you, write it |
| naming your baby, names do matter - and you want | | | | down and keep all your potential names together in a |
| to choose the one that means the most to you. | | | | notebook. You can cross off names that you decide |
| Parents may choose a name for its meaning, for its | | | | not to use, and narrow down your list little by little. If |
| cadence, or for its history. No matter what you decide | | | | you hear a name that you like, don't be afraid to ask |
| to name your baby, always consider the child. | | | | how it's spelled. Write down any name that sounds |
| Before you put the name on the birth certificate, ask | | | | good to you. Later, you and your spouse can discuss |
| yourself if the name is easy to spell, if the child will get | | | | the names on the list. |
| teased, if the child will even like his or her own name. | | | | Baby books and Internet sites abound that are filled |
| Your baby's name is not only important to you, but also | | | | with baby names. On some sites, you can look up |
| to your baby. | | | | names to find out what they mean, or what their |
| Strategies for Choosing a Name for Your Baby | | | | origins are. Some people like to know what their |
| Before you go name-hunting, you want to think about | | | | names mean, so you want to choose wisely if |
| the kind of names you want for your baby. Are you | | | | meaning holds any weight with you. |