Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
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Time
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Patience
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Baby name books/website
Step1
Avoid complicated spellings. While your child will have a unique name, it could become a chore for them as they'll need to spell their name many times in the course of their life. Spelling a name differently seems to come across as illiterate rather than individual.
Step2
Keep it easy to pronounce. This will avoid them having to correct every person they meet for the rest of their lives!
Step3
Avoid cuteness. Years ago, in the course of work, I had clients called Chanda Lear, Christmas Angel and Mary Christmas. While these might tickle your funny bone and add humour to the birth, it can open up your child to unnecessary ridicule.
Step4
Will your child be the next president? When testing out a name, try reading it out as President so-and-so. Perhaps one day there will be a President Willow...but it seems highly unlikely.
Step5
Avoid naming your child after alcoholic beverage or prescription medications. In recent years, I've seen the numbers of Allegras, Chardonnays and Tequilas skyrocket. I've even met a Marjuana. I'd imagine she'll be popular in her teens!
Step6
While you may be a massive fan of a comic book hero or tv character, avoid naming your child after them. Nicholas Cage's offspring, Kal-el, was named after Superman's birth name apparently...surely Clark or Kent would have been enough of a homage?
Step7
It might sound obvious, but avoid naming your child after a disease, illness or body part. I've come across a child called Placenta and have heard what I hope are tall tales of children called Gonnorhea and Diarhea.
Step8
Avoid bad name combinations. While the name Harry is a great name, it's a bit dubious when your last name is Tush.
Authority
