Unique and Unusual Baby Names
Today one of the biggest trends in naming is choosing a unique name. Those of us who grew up in the 70's and 80's undoubtedly knew multiple Jennifers, Amys, Michaels and Johns, and many parents want their child to have a more unusual name. Parents have dusted off old classics, combined names and altered spellings in the hopes of saving their child from the fate of being known throughout their school years as "Amy with a Y" or "Michael R, the one with brown hair." So how do you find a name that is unique and unusual? Here are some suggestions, along with a few warnings.
1. If you live in the US, look through the top 100 names from the Social Security lists for the past few years to get a sense of what names are currently popular. You may be surprised at just how many children share a name that sounds fresh and unusual to you.
2. Look for unused classics. Literature is a great source of names that were once popular but have since fallen down the charts. Read the names in your family tree or look at Social Security lists from the early 1900's and you may just fall in love with a forgotten classic.
3. Anticipate the trends. Right now, names from the 1900's-1930's are very hot for girls. In another decade, that will probably move forward to names from the 1940's and 1950's. Look at those names now and see if any appeal to you.
4. Create your own name by combining two family names or altering a name that you love. Be cautious in this, however, as not all created names sound appealing. You may want to ask family and friends for opinions before committing to an invented name.
And now for the warnings:
1. Keep in mind that names used in popular television series or films are likely to skyrocket in popularity, as are names of celebrity children. For example, the name Ella and its variants have become extremely popular since a few celebrities used it and it appeared as a baby's name on the show ER.
2. Beware of creative spellings. While it's true that Keightl'nne looks very different from Caitlin or Katelyn, it is still pronounced the same way and is still ultimately the same name. You may be causing your child a lifetime of confusion as she attempts to spell her name over the phone, while she is still one of five or six Caitlins in her class. 3. Beware of punctuation in names, which could cause problems when filling out computerized forms.
4. Be careful not to take the hunt for creative names too far. Imagine the name as your own, or try the "profession test". Would you wish to be known forever as Egwene? Can you picture The Honorable Judge Tequila Mad'y'syn being called to the bench?
5. Above all, remember that what really matters is finding a name you love, one that grows well with your child. Even the top names are being given to fewer and fewer children these days, so if you fall in love with Emma or Jacob, don't let fears of popularity force you to use another name you don't really care for.
Copyright 2005 http://StorkNet.com
Written by Susan Harkavy for StorkNet's Baby Names Cubby (http://www.storknet.com/babynames), a one-stop shop for all things baby names. Visit StorkNet for support and information related to preconception, pregnancy, and parenting including childbirth, breastfeeding, pregnancy loss and more.
MORE RESOURCES:
Baby, toddler store opens in downtown Dickinson Dickinson Press The store offers a variety of baby, toddler and mom products from booties to nursing supplies. “People really love the children's shoes,” she said. Karen Feininger, a customer of the store, likes the blankets. “I love the store and I love all she has ... |
Wardle Village Church Rochdale Online Mother and Baby/Toddler Group continues every Monday and Wednesday for activities and songs for the very young with Surestart invited on Wednesday. Refreshments are included in the price of £1 for adults and 50p for youngsters. This coming Tuesday will ... |
Patent of the week: Baby, toddler sunglasses Long Island Business News by LIBN Staff Parents try everything to protect their babies and children from the effects of the sun. They are always putting sunscreen on their children, but how do you protect your child's eyes? Babies and toddlers do not want to wear sunglasses, ... |
5 Things You Should Know Today: February 3 Patch.com The Fiske Public Library will hold two Baby/Toddler Playgroups today. Birth to pre-walkers with Mom, Dad or caregiver will meet at 9:30am. Toddlers (walkers) to ages 2½ with Mom, Dad or caregiver will meet at 10:30am. Playgroups are held in the Sweatt ... |
I Got You, Babe: Relief, sadness over nocturnal independence Brandon Sun I have had a baby/toddler/kid who just doesn't sleep. I mean, she sleeps when it's convenient for her, but not so much for me and if she's awake, so am I. I didn't mind so much when I was on maternity leave. After all she was just an infant and I was ... |
Easton Public Library calendar: Jan. 24-26 Easton Courier The following comes from the library: 10:30 — Baby/Toddler Be-Bop. Ages 6-36 months. This 25-minute music and movement class incorporates popular children's songs, finger plays, and simple stories while utilizing props such as puppets, ... |
Programming for kids begins Fergus Falls Daily Journal To start off the new year we have a few of our favorite standbys such as Baby/Toddler and Preschool Storytime, Book Bunch, 2nd Saturday Storytime, and Youth Chess. We will also be continuing with some of our programs that started at the beginning of ... |
WebMD Launches WebMD Baby App for iPhone and iPod touch MarketWatch (press release) The majority of parents (55 percent) find themselves researching information almost daily regarding the health, development or sleep for their baby/toddler. The majority of parents (54 percent) believe the length of time between doctor's visits leaves ... |
 Babble (blog) | 16 High-End Designers Making Baby Clothing for the Spawn of the 1% (Photos) Babble (blog) Well, don't tell these 16 high-end design houses, they have a whole lot of super expensive baby, toddler and kids clothes to sell. But perhaps Gucci, Fendi and Dior are just marketing their clothing to a very select group of parents – the deep pocketed ... |
Rancho Bernardo/4S Ranch Digest – Issue of Feb. 2, 2012 Pomerado Newspaper Group Soroptimists of Rancho Bernardo are collecting new and gently used baby, toddler and young children's clothing to size 7 to distribute to needy families through North County Interfaith in Escondido. Recipients will be encouraged to bring in clean ... |
|
RELATED SITES Apply Online for Credit Card. Bad Credit, No Credit, No Problem.
Planning a wedding day soon? Everything you need for a beautiful and memorable wedding day
|
How To Choose a Baby Formula
Breast milk is the most natural food for your baby, but if you can't breastfeed, or have chosen not to, then learning how to choose a baby formula is relatively simple.You might try asking the pediatrician you have chosen to care for your baby, before the actual birth.
Important Car Seat Statistics
Installing a car seat correctly is the most important thing you can do to protect your child or newborn if you are in a crash. If you ever doubted how important a car seat is you'll change your mind once you realize the shocking facts about automobile accidents.
Baby Poems for Saying Whats On Your Heart
Baby poems and baby shower poems can express any sentiment. Whether sweet, funny, or loving, poems are an ideal way to say what's on your heart.
Bye-Bye Bottle
It's finally time. My child is old enough to be drinking from a cup; a sippy, if not an open-mouthed one.
Baby Clothes - Daywear, Nightwear, And Special
When choosing and buying baby clothes, parents can be faced with many choices that, in the baby's younger days, can seem quite confusing. Striking a balance between practical and cute, fashionable and comfortable, need and impulse, and night and day can all play their part in affecting decisions on what baby clothes to buy, and in what quantity.
Introducing Your New Baby to Your Pet
Having a child is a life altering event for you and your family. If you own a pet and are concerned about how your pet will respond to the bringing home of a little bundle of joy, then you are not alone.
How to Help Your Children Learn
We all want the very best for our children and that includes giving them the best possible start to their education. There is a great deal you, as a parent, can do to achieve this.
Child Safety in the Home
In the 15-year period from 1982 to 1996, the leading cause of death among young children was accidents, poisoning and violence (external causes) -- these accounted for about 46% of all deaths among Australian children.Although the death rate from external causes declined, it remained the leading cause of child death during this period.
Top 3 Must Have Books for Your Baby or Toddler
Reading is one of the most important things you will do with your baby or toddler. Make reading to your baby or toddler a part of your daily routine whether it be in the afternoon before naptime or during late evening before bedtime.
How Often Should A One-Month Baby Go for Check Up?
What happen during the first month of your newborn, does your baby need check up? In the first weeks after birth, your newborn begins a series of routine check ups. These are called well child visits.
The Best Way To Give Medicine To A Baby
So you carefully fill a spoon with medicine for baby, move it near her mouth and the mouth doesn't open! Maybe it's the smell, but there's no way she is going to open her mouth. Frustrating isn't it.
Top List of Baby Girls Names - Choosing Perfect Baby Names for Girls
The list of baby girls names that are the most popular can help you when considering which names are the best baby names for girls. Choosing her name is fun for the parents, family and friends, and her name will be something she will live with the rest of her life.
Guide to Easy, Affordable Baby Shower Decorations
Great baby shower decorations are more about using your imagination than your pocketbook! You can create a wonderful party mood with simple, high-impact arrangements. This article details some of the best ideas for baby shower decorations.
Babies: How to Get Your Children Excited About the New Arrival
The sudden appearance of a new baby can be rough on the other children in the family. Daily routines are disrupted and suddenly mom and dad are too busy to pay attention to older siblings.
Wasp and Bee Stings to Babies
Are you expecting a baby? Are you planning on having a baby soon? Want to know how to make a baby? No, I'm only kidding. The thing is, if you have, or will have a baby some time soon, you may just like to consider what to do to treat and to prevent wasp and bee stings.
Should Baby Bedding Be Tight or Loose?
Many parents already know that it is better not to use bedding with small babies. It would be better for them to be dressed in something that will keep them warm.
Baby Shower Favor Ideas
With so many different aspects of a shower to plan, coming up with a baby shower favor idea is often the last consideration on a long list of planning.There are several unique, exciting and interesting baby shower favor ideas that will work well for almost any shower.
Important Safety and Styling Features of Baby Cribs
Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby's nursery. Most parents can get away with keeping their newborn in a bassinet for the first few weeks of life; eventually however, all parents will have to invest in some type of baby crib to ensure their newborns safety during the early years.
Couples Baby Shower Honors Both Mom and Dad
If having a Couples Baby Shower seems odd to you, consider this: Mom-to-be did not get pregnant on her own. Nor will she likely be raising the baby on her own.
Quick Tips for a Successful Baby Shower
Here are guidelines or quick baby shower tips for hosting a successful baby shower party. Come and explore these quick tips.