How your baby's name sounds when it's said aloud is one of the most essential things to think about. Does it go well with your last name? Often, longer first names work better with shorter last names, and vice versa. Avoid first names that rhyme with your last name. And please resist puns: A name like "Holly Wood" or "Bud Weiser" will be cute for about five minutes. Then your poor child will be stuck with it for the rest of his or her life.

Unique Names ...

An unusual name has the advantage of making the bearer stand out from the crowd. I sometimes wish I hadn't named my youngest son Jason. When he started school, he had three other Jason’s in his class. It was years before he really understood that his name wasn't Jason G.. On the other hand, a name no one has heard of can bring attention a child would rather avoid it. One way of striking a balance is to choose a familiar first name if the child's last name is unusual, and vice versa. If your son's last name will be Smith, you might want to consider something with less common than Joe for his first name. But if his last name is Agatston, then Joe might be preferable.

Relatives and Friends ...

Many parents choose to name their babies after a grandparent, other relative. This is a good way choose your child’s middle name. This option can provide you with a good pool of names to consider. Never let anyone pressure you into a name you don't like

Nicknames and Initials...

People, especially kids, can be cruel when it comes to nicknames, so try to anticipate any potentially embarrassing ones. Of course, just because you don't think of something doesn't mean some clever second-grader down the line won't. But at least you can rule out the obvious problems. Also, be aware of what your child's initials spell. Remember, none of these are hard rules. The most important criterion for a name is simply that you and your partner like it

Meanings ...

No one is likely to treat your daughter Ingrid differently because her name means "hero's daughter," but the derivation of your baby's name is something you may want to think about. After all, if little Stockard finds out that her name means "from the yard of tree stumps", she may not be pleased.