Baby Names by Meaning

A name has to last us a lifetime. Its importance can't be stressed enough. It gives people their first impression of you as an individual and often says a lot about the family you come from. Children are often named after their fathers or Mothers. Sometimes children are names after other family members, friends, or even famous people. The current trends in naming babies seem to be the more outlandish the better. Or is it? Celebrities have hit the news naming their kids everything from Apple to Wolfgang. But has society followed their trend?

Fifty years ago the most popular 3 names for boys were Michael, David, and James. The 3 most popular girls names were Mary, Susan, and Linda, nothing outlandish. Good names that had meaning and you weren't afraid of telling anyone your name for fear of them making fun of you. You didn't have a nick name because you didn't need one. I mean really, if your name was something weird wouldn't you do your best to develop a nickname for yourself?

Thankfully, the celebrity naming trend isn't prevailing. Last year the 3 most popular boys names were Jacob, Michael, and Ethan. The 3 most popular girls names were Emma, Isabella, and Anthony, and again, nothing outlandish. These are all good names that have great meanings. Nothing you have to explain when you introduce yourself., because I'm sure when Apple gets older everywhere she goes that name is going to need an explanation. I can here the others shouting now, "You're a fruit." And she'll explain, "I was named for...", and filling out applications? "We need your real name." again, "I was named for..."

Not that explaining names can't be nice. "I was named after my father." sounds good. Even made up names aren't bad. "My Dad's name is Dan and my Mother's is Lana, so they combined them to name me Dana." A name does last a lifetime so remember that when you name your baby. Give them something with meaning. And if they have to explain what it means or why they have that name, make it an explanation they don't mind sharing.

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Choosing a Baby Name For Your New Born

Choosing a baby name can be hard, but when you have some tips to follow, it can make the journey a little easier for you. Here are some tips that you should use in order to find the perfect new born baby name.

Too Common?

How many Katies, Kyles, or Jessicas do you know? These popular names frighten many parents. Future mommies and daddies today have concerns about their child's name being too common. Some names seem to be so common that everyone knows two or three people with that name. Looking back a few decades, these names were extremely trendy and new when they were chosen. Names like Ashley, Jennifer, and Christopher were not common names for adults in the 1980s. However, that next generation, those who are young adults now in the 21st century, seem to all have names like those. The trend has begun again with names such as Ava, Madison, and Aidan. Expect to see these current baby names as the future generation of young adult names.

Too Original?

Many of us have heard a name before that made us pause and wonder where it came from. Was it a family surname? Or perhaps it was a combination of two first names? Maybe the parents were just a little overly creative! These seemingly interesting and original names are usually chosen by the type of parents I mentioned above who are afraid of naming their child a common name. In the long run however, a name that is too original may become a challenge for the child, possibly even a disadvantage. A name that is hard to pronounce may cause others embarrassment when attempting to read the child's name, and in turn, may cause them not to use it at all! This adds in a completely different factor when it comes to names. Never forget about the effect that others can have on your child when it comes to their name. Will they get made fun of? Or will they get left out? No parent wants either for their child.

Just Right!

Finding a name that is just right for a child may seem like the most challenging task in the world right now. However, you will find a name that you are comfortable with, think others will be comfortable with, and know fits your baby perfectly. Parents often choose a name that may be common, but it is not too common. For extra help and some ideas, try looking up the top 100 names of the year through the government. But here is a secret: don't choose from the first 50 names. Look toward the bottom half of the list where the common, but not too common, names are listed! Good luck on your search!

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Help Choosing Baby Names

When you choose a baby's name, in a way you make them who they are. Some people think that the name given to a baby affects their personality to a degree and moulds them into the person they eventually become. If you accept this as a fact then you should also accept that you must spend some time considering your new baby's name.

Be careful that the baby name you choose will not sound silly in the future and will not give other children ammunition to mock your child; you may love your favourite actor or singer but will their name really sound ok in everyday use? Some of the more traditional members of your family may try to influence you to name your baby after a family tradition, whilst this may be wonderful in your eyes it may not be such an ideal name for your baby, that family name may sound old fashioned or silly today, remember that it is your decision.

It is nice to be inventive when spelling a baby's name but you have to think through the long term problems with this such as your child constantly having their name spelled wrong or constantly having to spell their name out over the telephone. Be careful that the initials of your baby don't make a funny acronym, like GBH or IRS etc, again this could be a source of mockery.

Sit down with someone you trust when thinking up baby names, it is good to have a sound board, especially when it is someone who is not afraid to say what they think, be objective, listen to the criticism but ultimately listen to your own thoughts on this matte.

You will also have to decide if you will give your child a middle name, many people are embarrassed by their middle names but this is usually because the parents have used an old family name which sounds old fashioned today, if you do go for a middle name please try and make it as right for your baby as the first choice name. A middle name is useful when you can't decide between two different names or when two partners each like a different name, using one as the middle name is a compromise.

There are hundreds of baby name books out there and there are thousands of websites devoted to this subject, just get out there and take a look around. This should have given you some guidelines to use when choosing a baby name, please check back for the next article 'Choosing a Pram.'

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How to Pick Out a Great Baby Name

You've got the nursery decorated, the car seat purchased, and the baby monitor in place. Have you chosen a name? Have you chosen a name people can pronounce? Have you chosen a name your child will have to spell aloud every time he or she meets someone new?

Your baby's name is probably the most important thing you'll choose for the precious bundle, so choose carefully. Unless you KNOW you're giving birth so Winthrop, Heinzmann, Larkenshire VI, the sky's the limit, but keep your head out of the clouds.

It's a name, not a spelling quiz for the teacher

Most often, your child's name will be spoken or heard, so an off-beat spelling isn't going to set him apart. If you want a girl named Caroline, don't name her Karolin or Carylyn or Karalin. Complicated spellings only complicate life.

Will it stand the test of time?

A baby named Flower is a charming little tot, but will Flower command respect as the Dean of the school of architecture? "Ma'am, I'm Officer Kamrei Miller and I'm here to impound your Camry."

You're named after a breakfast cereal?

Recently, it's become common to use names that started as actual nouns, like Wren, Drake, Kestrel, and Falcon (like the "balloon boy") Most are not BAD names, but don't give in to your sugar coma and name your baby "Cola" or "Kiwi" or "Daiquiri." Likewise, don't forget your last name in the mix. Baby Coco Lombardy is passable: Coco Wheat is trouble.

So, where can you find inspiration?

Climb your family tree

While you may not want to name your child after a grandparent or cousin, you should look further back, four or five generations. Names go in and out of fashion, and back in, so the great-greats might have some great names!

Go to the movies

Well, not Rambo. But look through some cast listings from movies 30 or 40 years ago. You might find names in the characters or actors that have been forgotten for a while. How about Audrey? Or Spencer?

Well, yes, there's the internet

There are enough baby name sites to keep you busy browsing for weeks. Narrow your focus to a certain theme: ethnicity or names associated with nature, or famous inventors, so you can try out a few at a time.

Don't be surprised if you change your mind. Plenty of babies get named AFTER they're born, because they "just don't look like a Phyllis!" Keep an open mind, keep an eagle eye, and keep your head. Your child, the future Nobel Prize winner, will thank you for it.

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Why Are Prenatal Vitamins So Important?

So, you have recently found out you are pregnant? Congratulations. Now you really have to start taking care of yourself and your new baby to be. In doing so, it all starts with taking prenatal vitamins. We have all heard that taking prenatal vitamins is important, but the question is, what type of vitamins are the most important? What should we be looking for?

There are many people who will say that taking prenatal vitamins and supplements before conceiving will help in the prevention of many birth defects. Others will say you can get beneficial effects by continuing to take them after you have had your baby and during the time you are breastfeeding. You should ask your doctor for more information and what is best for your particular case. They will even give you different samples to find the one that is best for you.

One strong word of caution on prenatal vitamins. They are meant to be a supplement and not a substitute for a proper diet. Never rely on prenatal vitamins for all your nutritional needs. Talk to your doctor about what foods you should be eating. Prenatal vitamins work better when taken along with a healthy diet.

Be sure to keep an eye on your calcium. An expectant mother generally requires 1,200mg - 1,500mg of calcium on a daily basis. Most prenatal vitamins do not contain this amount, so you may need a calcium supplement in addition. Many will only contain 250-500mg. Calcium is certainly important in the development of your new baby.

No two prenatal vitamins are the same; and many may not provide any benefits at all. Recent studies show that a pregnant woman’s body does not necessarily absorb all of the nutrients provided by the vitamins, especially folate. Folate is extremely important in the baby’s prenatal development. The vitamin helps prevent birth defects like spina-bifida. Only three out of nine vitamins on average actually provide the amount of folate labeled on the bottle. This is not to suggest that the supplements do not have the vitamin, it just is not absorbed by the woman’s body.

Some argue that it is better to take a prenatal vitamin prescribed by a doctor. However, this is not necessarily the case. While prescribed vitamins are ideal, many of the very same vitamins are available in stores and without a prescription. Ask your doctor about this if these aren't covered by your insurance. You may be able to save substantial money with a store bought brand. The most important things to consider are the ingredients in the vitamins, and whether they absorb quickly or not.

There is an easy test you can use to determine if the vitamins will be absorbed into your system. Put one of the prenatal vitamins into a cup of water. Wait ten minutes. If the vitamin is dissolved, or is very soft, it will be absorbed into your system. If the vitamin remains hard, it will probably pass through your system without depositing many of the nutrients it carries. This is important, so be sure to do this with any new vitamin.

When first starting out taking prenatal vitamins, you may experience nausea. If so, let your doctor know about it and take a different brand. I told my doctor about the trouble I was having and she recommended a supplement that I could buy over the counter. This vitamin was not a potent as the one she originally prescribed, but I was getting more nutrients because I was able to tolerate them much better.

Finding the right prenatal vitamin may take a little trial and error, but the benefits are great. Just continue to keep in mind that you still need to maintain a healthy diet. The benefits of prenatal vitamins are enormous and highly recommended, but good nutrition is still better than any supplement.

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