Sound and compatibility
How your baby’s name sounds when it is said aloud is one of the most essential things to think about. Is it melodious? Harsh? Does it go well with your surname? Often, longer first names work better with shorter surnames, and vice versa. Combining a first name that ends in a vowel with a surname that starts with a vowel generally isn’t the best choice – the names tend to run together, like Eva Anderson. Avoid first names that rhyme with your surname. It’s probably wise to resist puns too. A name like “Holly Wood” or “Rosie Lee” will be fun for about five minutes, not a lifetime.
Relatives and friends
Many parents choose to name their babies after a grandparent, other relative, or close friend. This option can provide you with a good pool of names to consider. Take ideas graciously, but don’t tell anyone what you and your partner have decided until after your baby is born – when it’s too late to give in to any less-than-subtle hints. Never let anyone pressure you into a name you don’t like. When it comes down to it, great aunt Hepzebiah won’t have to live with the name, your baby will.