How to pick the best name for your baby

Now that you've written down a list of names that you have a strong personal connection to, it's time to consider other factors. Write down the spellings or variations of the names that appeal to you the most. That will give you a long list of names to consider. Now it's time to narrow down this list based on practical considerations, so you can decide what names are most likely to work well for your baby. Ask yourself the following questions, and rate each name based on the answers. Popularity: Is the name so popular there will be many kids in your child's class with the same name? Uniqueness: Is the name so distinct it will come across as weird? Sound: Does the name sound good alone? Fit Last Name: Does the name work well with your last name? Nicknames: Do you like the nicknames or variations your child is likely to be called? Image: Do you like the image this name conveys? Will it be positive or negative? Famous Namesakes: Do you have a positive or negative impression of the most famous namesakes? Spelling: Is this name likely to be misspelled often? Pronunciation: Is this name likely to be mispronounced often? Gender: Does this name clearly indicate your child's gender? Initials: Do you like the initials this name forms with the middle and last name? Meaning: Is the meaning positive? Is it appropriate? Traditions: Does this name fit your religious or ethnic traditions?

Making the Final Choice
Now list your top five boys' and girls' names on a piece of paper. With your partner, rate each other's top five names based on the above questions. Through informed reasoning, you now have the top possibilities. Now all you have to do is make the final decision.