To go with the comments on the spelling, keep in mind that your child has to learn spell it. When Emily and Emmahleeghe are in kindergarten tracing their names, one is going to learn how to spell her name sooner. Also, when Emmahleeghe is in class learning about what sounds each letter makes, she is probably going to get a little confused.

Also, think about what can be associated with the name? Mainly songs. I went to school with a Maria, everytime a new teacher heard her name they would break out with "How do you solve a problem like Maria?" she eventually changed her name to Mana.

This is in reply to KateW's post or more agreeing with it. If a girl is named Noel and people know it's pronounced Noelle They tend to sing The First Noel, but if it's a guy they tend not to. Another thing is naming after ships and things. I have a friend whose first name is Nina and people are always asking if she was named for one of Colombus' ships and if she has siblings named Pinta and Santa Maria.

my wife will due this coming semptember 2008, we were hoping that she will have normal delivery and were both excited so much more my parents. This is our first baby and i would like their names will be bear my son's name. My mother's name is MARIA, and my father was ARCADIO. As we agreed, we would like our name to our son is "ETHAN MARC". And i think it is great and perfect.,.

An idea that someone told me a while ago was to track down a book with a character with the same name as the one you're considering, and read about how they act, what they look like, etc, to find out if you still like it! Haha, I found it quite the interesting idea.

Oh, and naming after songs is cute, but what if the artist of song is extremely unpopular in a few years? Often naming after songs is ok though, for example, we named our daughter Michelle, after the Beatles' song, and no one has insulted it or anything, yet at least!

Naming after songs are musicians is cute, but that doesn't mean go off and name your child "Fergie". Though quite memorable and easy to spell, I don't think any kid is going to want people teasing them with the song "Fergielicious" or however you spell it. Or when they're crying because of the taunting, "Big Girls Don't Cry". Naming after songs is fine, but like mentioned before don't name them something like "Maria". Not a good idea.

Naming after family usually can result in some unique names that haven't been used for a while. Go through a family tree, you may be surprised what names you find. Even naming after your parents, aunts, uncles, or grandparents is great.

Naming after characters in books or authors in wonderful. Such as Robert Louis for Robert Louis Stevenson, Marianne for a character in the book "Sense and Sensibility", Emily for Emily Bronte author of "Wuthering Heights", the list is practically endless! Naming your child after a character in a book or author makes you look more intelligent than naming after a character on your favorite soap opera most assuredly.

Naming after characters in your favorite TV show is probably not the best idea in the world. What if this character you name your child after becomes a serial killer on the show or commits suicide?? Or if the actor or actress goes insane or is on drugs??Though your child most likely won't get teased for this, how are you going to feel about it?? A bit remorseful would be my guess. Don't do it unless your favorite character has already died honorably or just left. No disappointment!

Find out all of the meanings of the name. Some name meanings can be totally inappropriate, like when girls are given boy's names that are specifically for males. For ex. the name Rory means "Red King" which is weird for a little girl. Maybe you don't care, but she might when she's interested in what her name means in the future.
Also find out the other meanings of the name. The name Addison means "Son of Adam" (another weird name for a girl) but it's also the name of a thyroid disease. Do some research and at least know when you're naming your child after a disease, hurricane, notorious criminal, etc.
Good luck everyone!