One of the biggest decisions of expectant parents in pregnancy: the name search. With the huge selection, not so easy. 9 tips to help find the first name.
Jonte, Clea or Renesmee: Which is just the perfect name for the baby? Finding the right first name is one of the biggest challenges in pregnancy for expectant parents . After all, our name accompanies us for a lifetime. A decision that should be carefully weighed . These tips can help with the name search.
1. Fits the first name to the last name
Claire Grube, Klara Himmel and Axel Haar – It goes without saying that you do not punish your baby with such a name . Nevertheless, you should also have the surname in mind when searching for names, in order to avoid strange combinations or tongue twisters. Rather difficult: combine an exotic girl or boy’s name into a classic German surname. And please no rhymes! That offers otherwise a steep template for teasing .
An unwritten rule in the first name search is: The longer the family name, the shorter the first name and vice versa.
If you are not married and have different surnames, the name of the child should match both variants . Maybe you decide later for a common family name.
2. rarity or top ten in the charts?
Who does not want that his child the same name as one in four children in the playground, should take a look into in the name search hit lists of the most popular baby names throw. For example, Julia and Anna areamong the favorites of the last few years for the girls ‘names. Liam and Elias are among the top names in the boys’ names .
Then prefer a rare first name ? That too has its pitfalls. If the first name has failed , it can backfire pretty much. The result: your child is constantly addressed in his name, in the worst case laughed at .
3. Name Search: Get inspired
The classic in the search for the perfect name: the first name encyclopedia . One of the standard works, which probably appears in every household during pregnancy, as soon as it comes to the name search. However, anyone who does not feel like reading endless lists in alphabetical order can also be inspired in many other places, for example:
- of books ( first names from the literature )
- on playgrounds
- of magazines
- by church name days
- from friends and family
- from baby galleries of hospitals
- on the Internet
- … or just let the credits run after the romantic movie night.
4. full form instead of pet name
Leni, Emmi, Anni : Cute sweet girl names for cute babies. But are they still suitable for a grown woman and, above all, is she happy with her name? Better choose a full name – nicknames can be found anyway in the course of time.
Even with the notation : Do not dare experiments ! To constantly have to spell the first name, annoying in the long run, as well as being misspelled.
5. Check the meaning
If you have decided on a name, you should check the meaning and origin of the name. The otherwise can hold unsightly surprises .
The universally popular maiden name Amelie, for example, is also a medical term and refers to the absence of the limbs. Care even with Nordic names! Tjorven is actually a pet name in Sweden and means something like “fat sausages”, while the boy name Bent – the Danish form of Benedict – in the English colloquial expression for homosexual.
By the way: In the case of unisex names that are not clearly attributable to a gender, such as Luca, Kim or Toni, a second name has to be given in Germany that identifies the gender.
7. Who is allowed to have a say?
Basically, you must like the name , no one else. Therefore: Be careful when revealing your favorites. Maybe the others are not as good as you are and your suggestions are quickly being talked down . Expectant siblings can also become a source of danger when it comes to secrecy regarding sibling names. So if you do not want the whole daycare to know, keep it a secret. However, it can not hurt to get suggestions from parents, friends and co-workers in terms of name search. Maybe you even find together the perfect boy or girl name for you.
8. Bad reputation
Justin, Chantal, Kevin and Jeremy : Some first names are burdened with prejudice and are subconsciously classified by teachers and employers as underachieving, lazy or stupid. Maximilians or Marie, however, are considered hardworking and friendly. Then maybe choose a Sophie instead of Cindy as a name.
9. Forbidden first names
Especially unusual baby names like Lenin, Satan, yoghurt and Superman are not allowed in Germany. Even place names as baby names are not allowed in this country. Matt-Eagle, Pfefferminza and Winnetou, however, may be awarded. Current trend names : Tyrion and Deanerys.