How important is it to find the right name? While your baby's name is how he will be identified for the rest of his life, it doesn't define his identity. Some names do seem to have stereotypes about the type of person that has such a name (like Barbie being associated with a beautiful blond, or Myron with nerds), but these associations will not create that trait in your child. You should find a name that you like and feel positive about.

You should also consider your family history when deciding on a name. Does your family have any traditions that you wish to follow, such as naming the first born male after the paternal grandfather? You can also look further back in your family tree to find a name. Or just choose a name from your ethnic or cultural heritage. If you have to use a family name that you really aren't happy with, then consider using it as a middle name or as just an initial.

While you don't have to consider every suggestion that your friends or family make, if you are in a relationship, you should make the decision of choosing a baby name with your partner. Consider making your own lists of names and then comparing them. Remember that you both may need to compromise a bit to pick the final name.
Here are some helpful tips that you can use with your other children to get them involved in choosing a name for the new baby and to make the process fun:

- Baby names need to go nicely with the sound of your last name. Also, pick a first name and a middle name that go together well. (So maybe not something like Erasmus Beelzebub Smith!)

- When your family finds a name you all like, look at the initials to be sure that you don't give the new baby a name with initials that will make people laugh. (So maybe not Pamela Iris Green, which equals P.I.G.!)

- You might not want a baby name that is so unusual that the other kids will make fun of your little brother or sister as he or she grows up.

- Avoid baby names that might produce insulting nicknames when people shorten them. (So maybe not Smellonius or Smelly for short!)
- You and your family might not want a name that is so hard to spell or to pronounce that people will always get it wrong and your poor little brother or sister will have to go through life correcting people. (So maybe not something like Incandescence, or is it Incandessints?)
- You and your family might want to pick baby names in honor of favorite relatives or ancestors, or special names that show your family's ethnic roots. You might even find a special name from a book or movie that you love. (Like Harry?)
- You might want to look through books of baby names and pick one that has a special meaning that you like - maybe something that means "sweet" or "kind" or "brave." (So maybe not wimp!)
- You might want to think about names that will go nicely with your name and your other brothers' and sisters' names, so that if mom or dad are calling you all for dinner or signing a birthday card to grandma it won't sound too crazy. (So maybe not "Happy Birthday, Grandma! Love, Joey, Cindy and Dweevo!")

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