| Many new parents get excited about choosing a | | | | daughter Apple). |
| unique and individual name for their baby. But what | | | | 9. Geography: another useful source of great names - |
| are the possible consequences? This article guides | | | | grab an atlas and start searching. David and Victoria |
| you through the mindfield of choosing a unique baby | | | | Beckham called their first son Brooklyn, which many |
| name. | | | | people think is a cool-sounding name. However, it's |
| What's in a name? Er...well, everything, really! Of | | | | reported that the choice was made because that's |
| course your little bundle of joy is the sweetest, most | | | | where conception took place. Hmmm, imagine a |
| beautiful thing you have ever seen and you want to | | | | lifetime in which your name is a constant reminder of |
| choose a name that reflects his/her individuality, | | | | your parents having sex! Eeeuuuuww!!! |
| spirituality, uniqueness and all-round special-ness. | | | | 10. Celebrities: famous people with slightly unusual |
| But wait a minute! | | | | names are a common source of inspiration. There are |
| Remember that the unique baby name you choose | | | | lots of teenage "Kylie"s running around the UK since |
| will help define junior's life - how they are viewed and | | | | Kylie Minogue's arrival on the music scene at end of |
| accepted - for many, many years. What sounds cute | | | | the '80's, and her recent resurgence, will have |
| and original for a 5-year-old, may not sound so funky | | | | created a second wave of them. And I'm sure many |
| for a 15-year-old...and what about a 55-year old? | | | | little "Be'yonce"s have been popping up over the last |
| Time was when only celebrities could get away with | | | | few years. The only problem is that names like these |
| unique baby names (Zowie Bowie, Dweezil and Moon | | | | very soon begin to sound a little silly and "wannabe". |
| Unit Zappa, etc), but in the modern world, individuality | | | | 11. Foreign Names: consider using a foreign version of |
| is more prized than ever before, and increasingly, this | | | | a name, e.g., Pedro, instead of Peter. Or try using a |
| starts with our names. Great idea - but don't allow a | | | | name from a completely different culture. |
| flash of a self-indulgence to condemn your child to a | | | | 12. Nicknames: try using a nickname e.g. Angie, |
| lifetime of problems; it's reported that a Chinese | | | | instead of Angela or Angelina. However, make sure |
| couple named their child "Saddam Sars" to mark the | | | | the name is will pass the "age test" - see number 17 |
| current world events at the time of the birth! I just | | | | below. |
| hope it means something nice in Mandarin, or | | | | 13. Middle Names: a great way to accommodate |
| Cantonese! | | | | individuality when naming your baby, is to combine a |
| This probably wouldn't have happened in Germany, | | | | common first name with a unique second/middle |
| where names can only be registered if they | | | | name. The benefit of this is that your child can avoid |
| recognizable, do not ridicule the child and are gender | | | | embarrassment throughout his/her life by ignoring it |
| specific. Perhaps there is at least one Chinese child in | | | | of keeping it hidden. |
| the world, who will grow up wishing he/she were | | | | 14. Initials: when you have settled on some baby |
| German! | | | | names, check that the initials aren't embarrassing. This |
| So - assuming you are not German - what should | | | | is an easy trap to fall into and can lead to a lifetime |
| you do if you want to create a unique baby name, | | | | of misery. "Zina Indigo" are may be nice sounding |
| without creating too many problems? Here are some | | | | names for your lovely daughter, but make sure your |
| tips and some warnings to make the process less | | | | surname doesn't begin with "T"! |
| painful: | | | | 15. First Name-Surname: check how the selected first |
| 1. Anagrams: try creating an anagram of an existing | | | | name combines with the surname. Make sure the |
| name. | | | | two names do not create some something |
| 2. Father and Mother: try using derivatives of one of | | | | recognizable, to prevent a lifetime of teasing. Also, |
| the parents' names, or a combination of both. | | | | check the rhythm of the two names; a different |
| Alternatively, how does the mother's maiden name | | | | number of syllables in each name usually flows much |
| sound as a first name? | | | | better. Avoid rhyming the 2 names at all costs or |
| 3. Telescoping: try dropping letters from another | | | | your child will hate you forever! |
| name or a word, until you get a nice-sounding unique | | | | 16. The loudness test: try saying the name softly, at |
| baby name. | | | | normal pitch and shouting it very loudly. You may be |
| 4. Spelling: an unusual spelling of a common name | | | | surprised at the results. |
| creates uniqueness. However, remember that your | | | | 17. The age test: try to visualize your child with the |
| child will be condemned to a lifetime of "...that's David | | | | name as a baby, as a teenager, as a young adult, a |
| spelt D..A..Y..V..I..D..." conversations. | | | | mature adult and as a senior citizen. A name can |
| 5. Pronunciation: another trick is to pronounce a | | | | create completely different perceptions of the |
| common name in an unusual way. But this can also | | | | individual at separate stages of life. |
| lead to a lifetime of corrections and explanations - as | | | | 18. The meaning: the final test of the baby name that |
| well as teasing and accusations of pretentiousness. | | | | you choose should be to check its meaning (if any). |
| 6. History: do some research into names that were | | | | Don't leave your child open to getting a nasty |
| popular in previous eras, but have become less so. | | | | surprise later in life. |
| 7. Family History: are there any unusual baby names | | | | Whatever unique baby name you decide, don't fall |
| that can be used to honor family members or | | | | into the trap of self-indulgence. Remember, it's not |
| ancestors? But beware family politics... | | | | about you, it's all about your child. Your grand design |
| 8. Nature: many names come from the natural world, | | | | to celebrate the uniqueness of this new human being, |
| particularly flowers (e.g. Rose) and it's a great source | | | | may eventually lead to a lifelong, desperate desire for |
| for unique baby names (e.g. Gwyneth Paltrow's | | | | conformity and anonymity. |