by Janeal Mulaney

Created on: September 22, 2010   Last Updated: September 23, 2010

What is in a name? Mom, why did you name me Michael there are like five in my first class hour alone? I have actually heard these questions. There is nothing wrong with choosing a unique name for your child and as a parent, you always want your child to stand out among the crowd. The one thing I would add is, ask yourself how you would feel if your parents had named you the same name you are planning to stick on your own child.

Is it a name that you would be proud to introduce yourself by?

Picture introducing yourself to a boss, or someone you admire? “Hi my name is Billow, it is so nice to meet you. Now are you sure you want to name your beautiful baby after a Billow?

With so many beautiful names out there, I really can’t imagine naming a child after an innate object although many parents do. Myself, I looked for names that stood for something; if you want it to be unique try a different spelling of the name. Another idea is look through older names that most people don’t use in today’s society. Another idea is look for names out of your own race, look through all nationalities. For example you could look through Native American Names, or Celtic Names. Don’t look through just one baby book of names, look through the Internet. There are so many resources out there now that were not always available before, there is no reason you would have to name your child zipper or zapper or chair for that matter.

You might find putting two names together works the best for your child; maybe you are having a hard time deciding between naming the child after her father or his father. You might be trying to figure out how you can put your mothers names together, one mother’s name is Elizabeth and your spouse’s mother’s name is Nelly you could combine them and make her name Nellizabeth or Nellibeth.  

My daughter got the idea for my granddaughter’s name by watching a movie called Jungle to Jungle. She put two words together and came up with one beautiful name.

It is unique, and pretty sounding. You also might try putting a different letter in place of another letter; Michelle for example could become Lichelle, or Nichelle. There are many different ways you can come up with great unique names, just don’t lose faith and remember unique names are all around you so just keep your mind open and you will find a wonderful name for your child.

Whatever name you and your spouse do decide on, make sure it is something that your child would be proud to say. My name is.

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