I, like many parents, think that a name holds the power to shape a child's self-esteem and identity, as well as influence how they are seen and treated by others. Naming a child is a great responsibility also because it is permanent (unless your child dislikes their name so much that they change it when they turn 18). There have been many articles written about baby names – from the most common names, latest trendy names, celebrity baby crazy names to the most recent “bogan baby names”, which caused many parents to be upset because they discovered that their chosen name for their child was deemed bogan (like Caprice).

While nobody can tell you what to call your baby, you should consider a number of things when deciding a name for your baby.

1. Start a baby name list. Make a list of ten names you like. Have your partner do the same. Trade lists and each cross out one name on the other's list that you dislike. Keep taking turns until you have a set of names you can both live with. Talk about why you like and dislike certain names.

2. Many couples create ground rules, such as no names of former girlfriends or boyfriends, no names that have ever been used for family pets , and no grandparents’ or parents’ names.

3. What type of name appeals to you? For example:

- a traditional name of your country (a Scottish name like Cameron)

- an international name that can be easily adopted worldwide (for example Peter)

- a popular name for the year (Jack for a boy and Ava for a girl were really popular in Australia in 2013)

- a gender-neutral name like Alex

BE CAREFUL OF…

- a celebrity name - children deserve their own identity. Who wants to be called Marilyn-Monroe Smith or Harley Davidson?

- a strange mixed up name. Gerry Halliwell called her little girl “Bluebell Madonna Halliwell” and while she said she was inspired by seeing strange flowers during pregnancy, personally I think she actually ate them

- first and last names that start with the same letter/sound, like Larkan Leeton

- a name that can be targeted by children in the playground for name calling (school children can be so ruthless).

AVOID…

- Made up names - you may think your clever, but is it practical? The poor child may spend the rest of their days pronouncing or spelling it.

- Names that would rhyme with their surname (Zoe Bowe changed her name by deed poll as soon as she could)

- First and last names that combine to give a strange/funny/embarrassing full name. For example Stan Still.

- Same first name and last name, such as James James

- A ridiculous number of middle names. For example a couple in Australia many years back were so impressed by the Wallabies winning the world cup, that they gave their offspring all the first names of the football team as middle names…please tell me what form/plastic card has enough space for all those names anyhow?

THINK ABOUT IT…

Respect the fact that your child will have to use their name with their peers, in school and in the workplace. Remember that a name is very important for a person, so don’t trivialise it.