| The
Art of Baby Naming - Page 6
Origin
of the Name - Ancestry and Heritage
There
are no rules that state that you can choose a name only from your own ethnic
origin. Parents often find interesting names of ethnic and historical origins.
The correct name from your own heritage can provide an added source of
identity for your child. This is a very important factor in many
ethnic groups. Your child's heritage is an essential part of who they are,
and you may want their name to reflect that. Religious preference
may point you towards a certain category of names. Family tradition has
often played an important role in naming the first-born sons after their
fathers. If you like a name but it doesn't meet your family's traditional
requirements, consider using it as a middle names
Honour
a family member, friend or hero
Check
with your parents or grandparents to collect as many family names as possible.
You can use the same name, a variation of the name or match the first initial.
For example, our third child's middle name is Jack after my great grandmother's
name Jacqueline.
If
you do not want input on the final selection, do not announce the name
until the baby is born. Then it will be too late for lobbying. Tara's family
has another rule about names. If you are not pregnant, you cannot claim
a name. That way, all the family names are up for grabs until there is
a baby to be named. First come first served!
You
can name the baby after a famous person. When the child is old enough to
understand, explain who you named them after. They will love to hear the
story over and over again. It's a great feeling to be connected to someone
famous. A popular example is naming children after sports stars. For example,
we may be seeing the name Tiger (Golfer Tiger Woods) more often for baby
boys.
Instead
of using family name, you can use family geographical location. For example,
Julie named her baby Cal (born in California) and her cousin born
in Alexandria, LA named his daughter Alexis.
Another
way to find a name is to use a version of a name that relates to a different
ethnic group. For example, Juan is Spanish for John. Ian is Scottish for
John, etc.
Use
of a Suffix
The
first, middle and last name need to be the same to use them.
So,
if you do not want to use Jr., III, etc., then use a different middle name.
All
parties need to be living. If grandpa (Sr.), dad (Jr.) and son (III) have
the same full name and grandpa dies, then dad becomes Sr. and son becomes
Jr. Some people (especially celebrities) keep the suffix after the
elder dies. Again, this rule is not law, only a guide.
Same
First Name as the Parent
Some
people with the same name as a parent have commented about the problems
they have experienced. One mentioned that even though he has a different
middle name from his father, many computer systems do not acknowledge middle
names and still confuse the two individuals. More information to keep in
mind when making that decision about picking a name!
Nicknames
We
recommend that to use the full form of the name when you register the birth
even if you intend to call them by a nickname. Later in life your child
may prefer the formal name or a different nickname to the one you chose.
It leaves the child's options open. They can always insist on others using
the formal name if they don’t like their nickname.
Think
about the possible ways that the name can be shortened and the nicknames
that may result. There is often a difference between what a child
is called and what it is named. Make sure you like the pet forms of a name,
such as, Rick, Ricky, Dick, Dicky for Richard. If the name lends
itself to a very undesirable nickname, you may want to reconsider. Conversely,
if the name lends itself to many positive nicknames, this is a definite
plus.
 
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