http://missesandmiss.com/topic/tips-to-consider-when-choosing-baby-names/

Picking a name for your baby is as important as picking on obstetrician and a pediatrician. Your name is the first thing people want to know when they meet you after all ! So putting some thought into your baby’s name is time well spent, and can be a lot of fun!</p>
A few things to consider when deciding on potential baby names:
1. Can the first name be shortened by others ?
Consider a name like Samuel, there is a chance that people will call it “Sam” or “Sammy.” Even if you do not call your <!–more–>child’s name in its shortened form, his friends or adults may. Be prepared for this. If you do not like the potential shortened version of your child’s name, you may want to look at alternatives. Think of what others may potentially shorten your child’s name to, and decide if it is something that you can live with.

2. Can the name you choose “grow” with your child?
It is important that every parent chooses a name suitable for both a child and an adult. Simply put, some names may sound cute when your child is a baby and may sound childish for an adult.

3. Can others pronounce the name easily?
If you choose an uncommon name or make up one on your own, others may find it hard to pronounce it. You can decrease this by ensuring you use phonetically correct spellings, but you have to understand that there will always be people who will still not pronounce the name correctly.

4. Do you want to honor someone in your family?
A lot of satisfaction comes from naming a child after a loved one. The parent’s may use or include your own surname, as a way for that name to live on. A child may also be named its father, grandfather, godmother or another special persons.

5. What does the name’s meaning matter to you?
Names can easily be looked up to find out their meanings as every name has a meaning and a history.

6. How many names should your baby have?
While others have none at all, some people have two first names, others have three middle names. So, there is no right answer. It is a chance to express your individuality, while still remembering that your child is the one who will be using it all his/her life. Also, remember that often only the first middle name is what will show up on important documents, so you may want to use your favorite one first.

7. Will your child’s gender be evident when reading the name?
While names like Jane, Elizabeth, and Anne are obviously female names, others like Jamie and Kelly can be either male or female ones. Uncommon names can also make the gender more difficult to identify on paper.

In summary, choosing a name can be one of the most important first decisions you make for your child. There are so many things to consider, but it can be very fun and exciting to play with all the different name combinations.


Culled from
http://missesandmiss.com/topic/tips-to-consider-when-choosing-baby-names/

Nice thread. People (Nigerians) don't really know how to give names well. Imagine someone bearing Bonnyface

Very educative, nice one op