Naming Your New Arrival
Besides the joy of becoming a new parent, there is the pleasant duty of developing a name for your child. There are several paths you can research to find the perfect name your child will carry for life.
Among the most traditional method of baby naming is to combine the names of influential or beloved ancestors. A name blended from the monikers of the grandparents will maintain family traditions and honor both sides of the union. It can give your child his own identity in ways that a simple "junior" cannot.
Identifying your new baby with the names of holy individuals from your faith can also create a strong identity for the new arrival. Popular Catholic names include specific saints to guard over the child's life. Protestant families can choose among apostles and old testament prophets for their children. For centuries, Muhammad has been the most popular name to give a male child in Islamic families.
The new parents can delve into their ethnic culture to find folklore and mythical names that can add a unique flavor to their child's name in a modern society. History is another favorite way to choose a strong name. As well as linking your child to the stream of human endeavor, you will offer them an option to focus their life's course.
For those who do not wish to directly link to existing people names, there are many common yet beautiful names that can be created using objects. Flower names are very popular, especially for girls. Favorite cities are another source of good, strong names.
There are non-traditional methods to child naming as well. Modifying an unusual name into a pleasant sound will give your child a unique title to go by. The most important aspect to this type of naming is to make it phonetically easy so that your child will not go through life having their name constantly misunderstood or misspelled. Also be sure to avoid any combinations that could be easily parodied into a rude or ridiculous form as this could cause many social problems for your child by the time they reach school age.
