10 Baby Name Mistakes To Avoid & 10 Perfect Current Options
Think You've Nailed The Baby Name Game?
Choosing your baby's name is serious business because it's a decision that sticks with them for life. While some parents nail it, others unintentionally curse their child with a name with awkward spelling or difficult pronunciation. To help you steer clear of these pitfalls and spark some inspiration, here are 10 common baby naming mistakes to avoid and 10 great evergreen options.
1. Picking A Name That's Hard To Pronounce
You're setting your child up for bullying if you pick a name that's hard to pronounce. It's great to name your child something that's culturally significant, but don't forget to consider how the name sounds in the main language of your kid's surroundings.
2. Creating An Original Name
Some parents think it's a great idea to try to invent a brand new name for their child. However, this will only lead to confusing and uncomfortable situations for your child, as the onus will be on them to teach their name to every new person they meet.
3. Choosing A Name Because It's Popular
Don't just Google "popular baby names" and choose the first one you see. Not only will it result in your kid having to share a name with four other people in their class, but it's unoriginal, and you won't feel connected to the name.
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4. Ignoring Initials
When choosing a name, initials matter too. Sometimes they unintentionally spell out something rude, which, as silly as it sounds, could be a target for bullies.
5. Picking A Name With Negative Associations
Before you go and name your son something like Adolf, consider the association. Be aware of villains and controversial figures who may have the same name.
6. Trying To Be Too Unique
Parents sometimes think choosing a unique name will make their child stand out, but don't worry, your child doesn't need a weird name to do that. Choosing a name that's too different will just result in a lot of headaches for your kid.
7. Picking An Extremely Old-Fashioned Name
Think about how names age before automatically giving your child your great-great-grandfather's name. When was the last time you heard of a baby called Ulysses?
8. Picking A Name That's Hard To Grow Into
Some names sound great for a baby, but don't forget that your child is eventually going to grow up into an adult. How can you expect your daughter to be taken seriously as a professional with a name like Poppy?
9. Ignoring Cultural Significance
Make sure you understand the meaning or tradition behind a name before using it. It might carry a weight you didn't intend.
10. Choosing A Name That's Hard To Spell
Just like choosing a name that's hard to pronounce, you'd be making life difficult for your child by selecting something impossible to spell. Trying to be unique with the spelling or choosing an overly long name is equally annoying.
Now that we've discussed some of the common mistakes to avoid when naming your child, let's discuss some great, evergreen options.
1. Olivia
Olivia continues to top baby name charts for girls. It's a timeless, elegant classic that sounds melodic and has symbolism tied to peace (the olive tree).
2. Liam
The name Liam has Irish roots and a meaning tied to strength, protection, and a strong will. It's easy to pronounce, spell, and sounds good in many different languages.
3. Noah
Noah may have biblical significance, but it's recently found popularity in a secular setting as well. It's a simple and gentle-sounding classic boys' name.
4. Rowan
Rowan is an excellent gender-neutral option with a strong meaning. It's tied to the Rowan tree, a symbol of protection and strength. It's popular enough not to confuse people, but it isn't overused either.
5. Kai
Kai is a name with multicultural and gender-neutral appeal. In Hawaiian, it translates to "sea," and in Persian, it means "king."
6. Emma
Emma is an ageless name that's easy to pronounce for people from all linguistic backgrounds. Its royal and literary connections have helped it transcend generations.
7. Mira
Mira is a name with extremely positive meanings, like "wonderful" in Latin and "goodness" in Albanian. It's short, simple, and sweet with easy spelling and plenty of multicultural appeal.
8. James
James is a name that never seems to go out of style, yet it never gets old either. It has a rich history attached to it, and what's more, if your kid doesn't feel like a James, there are countless nicknames to choose from, like Jim or Jimmy.
9. Sophia
Sophia is a beautiful, feminine name meaning "wisdom" in Greek. It's a classic name with a long history, but still manages to sound modern and is popular across many cultures.
10. Oliver
The name Oliver's meaning is tied to peace and friendship. Countless famous Olivers like Oliver Cromwell, Oliver Stone, and Oliver Hardy have kept the name alive for many generations.
