Things parents should keep in mind when it comes to choosing a child’s name

Since childhood, many of us have fantasized about what to call our future children. The favorites of some do not change with age, others are confident in the choice of their partners and there are those who resort to books with mysterious titles that link the name with destiny. Nowadays there is even a special profession dedicated to this important step in our lives: specialist in children’s names. How can parents make the right choice and not regret it later?

At the awesome.club we wonder if there are any specific recommendations for choosing a name. We have found that this issue worries many people around the world and there is more data on the subject than we thought.

In today’s world, one does not need to pay much attention to the meaning of the name nor to believe unconditionally in esoteric articles that say that they affect a person’s character and destiny. Only the person himself changes his reality, not otherworldly forces.

Considering popularity and euphony, 4 categories of names can be mentioned. Each of them has its positive and negative points.

Examples: Alexandre, Julia, Maria, Ana, João.

Pros: everyone knows these names, they are classics. With them you don’t make mistakes, nobody pronounces them wrong. Its carriers, when meeting new people, will not face the following questions: “What?”, “Can you repeat it?”, “How is it spelled?”.

Cons: the name is not unique. Most likely, in the classroom, group or office there will be several people with the same name. It can take a person some time to figure out if they were the one you were talking to. Such a name is easy to forget or confuse.

Examples: Crash, Jazz, Námaste, Riroca (daughter of singer Baby do Brasil), Apple (daughter of actress Gwyneth Paltrow).

Pros: this name will definitely be unique and unrepeatable. They are often seen as beautiful and harmonious. Parents can give it special meaning.

Cons: you will have to spell the name to all interlocutors and new acquaintances. Many will mispronounce. In official documents, you can make a mistake, as a result of which you will have to redo them and waste your time. At school, the child may be bullied, as this name is rarely found and can be easily forgotten.

It could be a well-known name but unpopular at this time or unusual for a particular country.

Examples: Agnes, Benedict, Altaïr, Dimas.

Pros: beautiful and unusual, but not strange.

Disadvantages: the diminutive form can be used for multiple names. Because of this, confusion is possible. This name can suddenly become overly popular and fall into the next, more controversial category of names.

These are the names that suddenly became popular: they were not common before and suddenly became fashionable. Generally, popularity is associated with some social or cultural phenomenon🇧🇷 For example, after the film “Splash — A Mermaid in My Life” in 1984, in the United States the female name Madison became known, as the heroine of the film was called that.

The name can rise in the popularity rankings without an important reason as well. Just imagine: you heard it and you liked it, because it sounded unusual. But that name has also attracted thousands of other parents across the country. And what seemed unique suddenly became common, modern. Magazines publish lists of “in” names.

The main disadvantage of this name is that the fashion will pass, but he will stay. If it is popular, it will not be unique, and when the children grow up, this name will be associated with a certain age. For example, the popularity of the name Jennifer in English-speaking countries was in the 2000s, but in the next decade it could be considered “grandmothers”, obsolete.

We talked about the disadvantages and advantages of the main categories of names. They will help you decide whether to give your baby a universal or an exotic form. On the internet, you can check the popularity of a specific name.

These are the main points parents should remember when making this important decision:

Keep in mind how the first name will be combined with the last name. For example, consonants or vowels that are the same together are more difficult to pronounce: Márithe theolive tree. Is the name appropriate for the language and cultural environment in which you live? Are there any negative associations related to it? Not popular with pets? Think of the diminutive of the name. Do you like to pronounce it? Will there be no confusion? For example, if you call your son Alex, his full name will not be immediately clear: Alexander? Alexander? Or is this the full version? There’s a joke: “By choosing your child’s name, you begin to realize how many people you hate.” Experts advise not to think too much about it. You will forever remember the name of your beloved child, not someone with that name who treated you rudely. If you want to name your daughter in honor of your beloved grandmother, decide for yourself what is more important, reality or your memory. Friends and relatives may confuse you with their advice or try to put pressure on you, so it’s best to discuss the child’s name only with your partner. If you are interested in what other people think of this name, you can discuss it on special forums for parents. Again, remember that the name you choose will not be used by you, but by your child. Those who have a rare and “uncomfortable” name can humorously talk about everyday difficulties, such as the unwillingness to go to Starbucks because of the eternal confusion with the way to write. But think and honestly answer the questions: “Have you heard this name before? Can it be said by a small child? How will your child feel if, when meeting someone, you constantly have to repeat their name?”

Do you know why your parents called you that? Do you have friends with unusual names? Tell us in the comments, we want to read your stories!