"Baby Name Book author Bruce Lansky
Tells You How to Give Your Baby the Right Name"
Choosing the Right Name for Your Baby
Bruce Lansky is the #1 author of baby name books in the world. He has compiled and published six baby name books, which have sold well over five million copies.
Click on the book title to find his most recent book, "Baby Names Around
the World" (www.meadowbrookpress.com) which contains 50,000 names complete with their meanings and derivations.
Q: What are some of the latest trends in naming babies?
Lansky: Over the last few years, I've noticed that parents are increasingly
selecting uncommon names.
Some parents are "customizing" common names by modifying the spelling or
pronunciation. Some parents
are even going so far as to make up new names. For those reasons, my most recent
baby name book, "Baby
Names Around the World," has 50,000 names to choose from plus tips on how to
customize a name or
make up a new name.
Q: What are some other trends?
Lansky: Girls are often given names that used to be thought of as boys' names.
Now there's a large number
of names that could be described as "androgynous" in that they are commonly used
for boys and girls -
names like Terry, Chris, Pat, Cameron, Dana.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who is naming a baby?
Lansky: I'd suggest that they go back to the fundamentals, many of which are
opposite of what is currently
trendy. - Pick a name that most people are familiar with. - Pick a name that can
be easily spelled and
pronounced. - Pick a name with positive image associations. - Pick a name that
doesn't lend itself easily to
teasing. - Pick a name whose nickname you like. - Don't keep the names you are
considering a secret; share
them with your friends and relatives to get their reactions. Pick a name that
gets a positive response rather
than groans.
Q: What do you mean by "positive image associations"?
Lansky: Strange as it may seem, when you hear a name, you are likely to form a
mental picture about it.
For example, when you hear "Elvis," you probably think of Elvis Presley. When
you hear "Adolf," you
probably think of Adolf Hitler. And when you hear "Madonna," you probably think
of the singer/actress
who popularized that name. Some names, like Michael (friendly, handsome,
masculine) and Meredith
(smart, successful, attractive) are rich in positive associations. Some names,
like Elmer (dumb) and Bertha
(fat and dumb) are rich in negative associations. I suggest that parents should
pick a name that gives off
good vibes.
For example, on the first day in school, the teacher does a roll call. The only
thing the other students know
about a child is what he or she looks like and what his or her name is. Kids are
likely to form a quick
opinion from just those facts. When your child applies to college or for a job,
the admissions director or
personnel manager will judge your child by his or her name and what's on the
application.
Now consider this scenario: You manage a radio station and you're looking for an
advertising salesperson.
Several women apply for the job: Bambi, Sara, Chris, Priscilla. Who do you think
will do the best job?
Well, Bambi sounds like an airhead, Priscilla might be too prissy or delicate,
so that leaves Chris and Sara
as the most realistic candidates.
In summary, parents should understand that people often do judge a book by its
cover, so it makes sense to
give your child a name that will be an asset rather than a liability. In "The
Baby Name Survey Book," I
present the results of a survey of more than 100,000 people conducted by Barry
Sinrod. He asked them
what they thought of when they heard various names, and I wrote up the results
in the book. If parents
wonder what people will think of some names they're considering for their baby,
they can look up the name
in that book.
Q: Sounds like you're a traditionalist.
Lansky: Some names that parents customize or make up give off weird vibes. For
example, a name like
"Moonbeam" or "Tulip" will create the impression that the child might be goofy
or weird. Those names
create the impression that the parents are also goofy and weird. Think of all
the negative attention that will
result, including the endless teasing by peers, who can be very cruel. Why make
life miserable for your
child when a well-chosen name can give him or her a head start? I almost forgot
to mention that customized
names are often difficult to pronounce and spell. Before you decide on a
customized name, think how many
times your child will have to correct someone's spelling or pronunciation.
Q: Is there any other bit of advice you'd like to pass along?
Lansky: One of the darnedest things about naming a baby is that it can take nine
months to complete. You
and your spouse will find yourselves reading name books and birth announcements.
You'll talk about
names with anyone who will listen. Because it is an important decision you'll
make together, I suggest that
you treat it as a relationship-building exercise. It's important that both
parents concur in the choice of a
name.
I suggest that both parents draw up lists of names. The final choice should be
made from a third list of
names that both parents like. That way, both parents will feel good about
calling the baby by its name.
You'd be surprised how many parents insist on calling the baby by the name they
proposed rather than the
name on the birth certificate. In other words, do what you can to enjoy the
process of naming the baby, and
make the decision jointly.
Courtesy of FeatureSource.com
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