by Sharon Copeland

Created on: November 20, 2010

From the moment you decide to have a baby the first thing that comes to mind is "What are we going to name him/her?"  You go out and buy every baby name book on the market, scour through countless magazines and tabloids for the "perfect" name, and watch all your favorite shows to see which character or celebrity name has that roll off the tongue ring to it.  Of course, relatives like to play a big part in the name game too.  Aunt Martha always wanted a namesake or Grandpa George wants his name to carry on the family tradition.

There are a lot of reasons to steer clear of the celebrity names.  One of which is that some of the current celebrities have found that naming their children after food items, animals or zodiac signs is all the rage. Maybe this isn't in the best interest for Junior.  You have to keep in mind that these guys have to carry this name around with them for life.  If school isn't hard enough, try being an Apple or a Wolfie for a day.

Sometimes picking a longtime family name doesn't work either.  Let's face it, there aren't a lot of Bertha's around anymore.  I would think it would be just as hard to carry those older names around as it is to carry the newfangled names.  While tradition is great and a wonderful way to pay tribute to a loving relative, sometimes those names are better to use for the middle name.  You can still honor the family, and yet not have your child wanting to cringe every time the teacher calls out their name. 

Also, if you choose the name of your favorite celebrity of today, they might not be your favorite tomorrow.  You wouldn't want to have to use a name that you might grow to hate later.    Or worse, a name that every other family on the block has decided to use.  There is nothing more embarrassing than a whole classroom full of children with the exact same name from the exact same show.

Take careful consideration when you name your precious baby.  Make it a name you love, or one that has a special meaning to you.  You will cherish your child forever.  Make their name something you can cherish forever too.

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