I agree with pretty much everything that has been said already

Just wanted to add, that when naming a child make sure it fits in with their sibling names or future children's names.

I like classic names and would try to steer away from popular or trendy names in saying that some like Charlotte & Sarah & William have always been popular

Names that stand the test of time.

[color=#0000FF][size=4]It's pretty easy, really. Just find a name you like and join the first, middle, and last names together-- and pretend like you yelling at your future child (well being stern with them). That's how we settled on our son's name. It flows, CARSON JAMES WESTON! Give it a try, it works!

I like to stay with traditonal names like Michael or Elizabeth. Victoria is one of my favorites. Do not name your child somethinglike annahlaiey AN-na-lay-ee Shahnieelehah sha-NEE-LEE-ah. They are too out there. Also think about initials. Belinda Irene Catherine Hanson:BICH and you know what that looks like, right? Think about his/her name later on in life.what would little Lilly Shanie think of her name later in life? I have a really common name, Katie. PLease try not to name your kid Max,It's so common! out of 20 kids there might be 5 max's


love,
Katie

My tips:

I try to pick a name that no one I know has. I also try to avoid using double endings like Allison Ryan or Greta Maya.

OK obviously these are just my opinions:

Unique is great, weird isn't. My name is Natelle (like "Narelle", but with a 'T' in place of the 'R', & I love it. I've never met another one, & I've never found a naming website or book with my name in it. Heavenly Hiaranii Tiger Lilly, on the other hand, is not such a great idea. I didn't always love my name. In fact, I was teased relentlessly (lots of "Nuttella" jokes) in the playground. But it has grown on me. However I have lots to say about names & how important they are. If you pick a unique first name, try a more traditional middle name. Mine is Jane. It would have been challenging to be "Natelle Shiloh" or something.

Think about if the name sounds like something bad. Why didn't Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban realise that "Sunday Rose" would be changed to "Sunday Roast"? Did no one mention to Tom & Katie that "Suri" sounds a little like "Sewerage"??

Stay away from trends. Think of all the poor little Isabellas, Olivias, Madison/Madelines who will have 3 or 4 of the same in their class at school, & whose names will date badly. Just like when I was at school (I was born in 1980) & there were always a zillion Jessicas, Rebeccas, Kates, Kym/Kims & Kellys.

Don't name your kids after famous people, unless they are old or dead (eg Audrey - safe. Paris or Lindsay - not so safe). How many little girls were named after that wholesome, virginal southern girl, Britney Spears? Now we associate the name Britney with a mentally ill bad parent with poor morals. Don't use the name of famous people or their children, if the names are unique. Even if you just really happen to like the name Shiloh, Kingston, Keanu or Beyonce, no one will believe you when you insist you did not name your child after the famous person with the same name. I love the name Halle. The meaning, "unexpected gift" is also beautiful, considering it took us 4 years to fall pregnant & we were told it would never happen for us. But I would never, ever call my child Halle because at the end of the day it would always be "Oh, Halle - like Halle Berry".

Don't change the spelling of your child's name just for the sake of it. I met a little girl called "Alyvia" (pronouced Olivia). She will forever be having her name either misprounouced if it's being read, or misspelt if she's advising it. And I don't care what anyone says, there is NO NEED for any poor child to be named Shaniqua, Shontaya, Talisha, Tameeka or the like. That's just asking for your kids to be starring on an episode of Jerry Springer later in life.

You are naming a child, not a dog. As amusing as I'm sure the Mota family thought it was, poor little Diesel, Petrol & Elektric will be teased for the rest of their lives. No, I am not joking, I know of this family. I have also known a family whose parents were both chefs. They had daughters & called them Cinnamon, Sage, Cardamom & Anise. Not funny, guys. These are human beings, who have to grow up & tell adults what their names are.

Speaking of being adults, please consider how your child's name will sound on a grown up. Can you imagine an accountant called Poppy? A doctor called Daisy Boo? These are Jamie Oliver's daughter's names. What about Pax the wall street investor, or Bronx the therepist? OK so they probably won't have to work a day in their lives but that's not the point.

I like the idea of a child's name having significance or intelligence about it. I'm due in 4 days. If it is a boy we will more than likely call him Darcy. Why? Because my husband & I met in an English Literature class at university, & fell in love over Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. My husband is aloof & a little cranky on occasions & reminds me of Mr Darcy a lot. So this name has a lot of significance to us. Also, I say "more than likely", because I also don't think it's a good idea to name someone before you meet them. My husband was going to be Daniel. His parents were certain, they were even calling him Daniel while he was in utero. They took one look at him when he was born & said "He's not Daniel - he's Michael." The name Michael had not even crossed their mind before they met him. So Michael he is.

A good test I've found is to pretend your child has misbehaved, & say the name outloud in a stern voice. Can you seriously see yourself disciplining a little "sweetie" called Honey? Pixie? Fifi? Didn't think so. You get to make few decisions as significant as your child's name. This is part of someone's identity, a gift for your prescious baby - not your chance to show off how cool & funky you are. Your child becomes their name, it is as much a part of them as their face, their fingerprint, their haircolour, the sound of their voice. Choose wisely, choose kindly, choose selflessly.

What my husband & I have always done, is pick out three names we both agree on, then wait until the baby is born to decide which name fits their personality the best. We also opt for uncommon names, because we want their names to be unique & special, not like anyone else we know.
Another thing to think about, if you are having a baby girl, & her first & middle names start with the same letter (Madison Marie) when she grow up & gets married (to Ryan Mason) her initials could be all the same (MMM).