undecisive on picking baby names. help?

Question

i'm super undecisive about my baby's name. it's a monumental decision for me (first baby). I don't even know if i want paper or plastic at the drug store or if i should weare a thong or briefs.

so here's my drama: everytime i pick a name right. let's say...jessica...then i watch tv. and if i see a girl named jessica on tv who'se fat and pimple, there goes the name that i worked so hard to pick.

HELP

by pimple i meant Pimply. and by no means am i putting people with pimples down, i just don't want my baby's name after them anymore. hence my undicisiveness!

Answer 1

I understand what you mean. It seems you simply have a problem separating a name you might like, in a vacuum, from any real-life associations. It probably doesn't even apply only to negative traits you might observe in someone with the name ... even if you perceive them as such. It's probably more an issue concerning the name not feeling as much "yours" once you see it on a television character or hear it on an actual person. You might even mentally create some of these negatives simply to help yourself disconnect from a name you no longer feel completely attached to -- from your examples, perhaps Jessica wasn't even overweight, and on further examination, her skin may have been radiant. ;)

This type of "problem" is actually fairly common. Just think of all the times you've heard/seen comments along the lines of "I used to like Sebastian ... until I met a terribly-behaved little boy with that name!" or even as innocuous as "Rose would be a lovely name ... if we didn't already have one in the family (my mother's great-aunt whom I never met)." It's not that the names themselves are any less attractive, or even that the people given them are. It's simply a matter of not being able to entirely separate YOUR child from the other person(s) you might now envision with that name, if that makes sense. ;)

It seems a simple solution for you might be to actively seek out less common, but still known, familiar names. You can likely find a few that suit your style, no matter what it might be, that don't happen to be overly popular at the moment -- meaning you'll be much less likely to run into one on the street or come across a television character sporting one of your top three, know what I mean? Less chance of developing those negative associations that way, because the name will simply seem to represent your child. ;)

For instance, if you like Emily, Emma and other old-fashioned revivals currently VERY popular, you might try perusing the SSA's list of other popular names in, say, the 1880s (when Emily was in the top 100 and Emma was a top ten name for the entire decade). Other popular names from that list that aren't as common currently might include Ida, Alice, Mabel, Lula, Lena, Agnes, Stella, Alma, Della, Flora, Harriet or Matilda. Here's a link to the entire list: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/babynames/decades/names1880s.html

If it's Celtic names you like, but all the Aidans, Connors and Caitlins make those names seem less usable, try looking for some equally-attractive, but less common, options.

Likewise, if it's the common crossover names you like -- such as Madison or Avery for your daughter -- but the constant barrage of little Maddies and Avas leaves you cold, you might try out a few less-common unisex or even masculine names. In other words, those that aren't already being used by every other parent out there. You still get the style and feel you want, but it won't be as likely you'll meet six other little Madisons that somehow manage to sour the name for you. ;)

Hopefully you get the idea. And don't worry ... what you described really is common.

Ps. I'll include few other helpful links below. ;)

Answer 2

My husband did this to me when we had both our kids (and IUD came out yesterday so heres hoping we get to do it again!) and it was a nightmare!!!

You have to put aside any feelings other than the ones you orginally had about the name and stop associating it with other things. Write a list of names and put it on the fridge. Make it the top ten names or something including the previous ones you have ruled out. You will see that list everyday and start to not like some of them and that is the way you should decide upon a name, not because of something n TV. You can add names you come across as you go and cross of as you go and hopefully by the end you will have 1 or 2 left and it will easier to pick

It is a monumental decision as you and your child have to live with that name forever and you want to make sure its perfect. Remember though, when you find 'the' name you will know its the right one because it puts a smile on your face and you can't get it out of your head! Don't watch TV if that helps or just say my 'Jessica' is going to be slim and clear skinned!

Best of luck deciding!

Some suggestions for you...
Amara, Imogen, Lana (Lar-nah), Zoe, Jemma

Answer 3

Relax. You've got time to work through it. And sometimes you won't really know what to name your baby until you see him or her. I found that it was best to form a list of names, let the little one arrive and then see what fits. People are going to pressure you to decide, but it will come. And there's nothing wrong with waiting even several days before you decide. Your first baby is a big event. Pick a name you love and try not to be overly influenced by what you see around you.

Answer 4

I know this is your first baby & you're worried about every little bit of the name, but just chill. You shouldn't base a name you love on a character whom you hate. You should create your own image of what you want your kid to be like. Heres a similar story) A neighbor of mine was having a baby girl & decided on the name Jade. On a TV show [don't remember which] there was a Jade who was really evil, so she didn't name her daughter that. Instead she named her Joley. Now Joley is in first grade and her BEST FRIEND is named Jade & everyone is always complimenting the little girl on her name, and NO ONE is going, "Ohh eww Jade, there was a mean person on a TV show with that name" and I've met the little girl & she's just amazing. & Also there's a mean girl in their grade named Joley & teachers are always confusing the two. So don't settle your choice on television. Just go with what you want, what's in your heart. That'll work =].

Answer 5

ok, well if your having a girl you should choose a unique name. If you want to go with simple and popular names, then here's a list below. But if you want unique and unusual names, then there is another list below. I am not really sure if your having a boy or girl, so I am thinking of a girl. But if it's not right, i'm so sorry.

Simple and Popular Names:

Annabelle
Heather
Amy
Brianna
Courtney
Jayden
Jordyn
Lisa
Marie
Maria
Nichole (or Nicole)
Adrianna
Samantha
Rose
Lily (either short for Liliana or Liliane or just Lily)
Katelyn

Unique and Unusual Names:

Beverly
Amalisa
Melina
Hayden
Haderleigh
Annalyn
Krystelle
Monique
Linzey
Trisha
Trista
Trayden
Jadenleigh

ok well that's basically all I have

Answer 6

Congrats on the coming baby! I know its super difficult to pick a name...I waited til the last minute to decide...lol...have you thought about picking an old fashioned name? Lets say something like Kate or Jane? Still hip and modern, but not as common! Some names you hear EVERYWHERE and it just makes you nuts! Plus then your child will be one of many with the same name in school!

Answer 7

HEY
congrats on your baby
you might consider:
1. Naming baby after someone you admire and love greatly
2. Using a middle name that flows with it
3. See how it works with the last name and ethnic origin

example Ana Celeste Sanchez
Rowena Alistar Jackson

another possibility is to look:
1. for something realy original and unique
2. think if this will affect the baby's life in school
3. your lifestyle and image

Ellabella Felixa Smith
Jimarco Tomasso Martini

Hope this helps

Good luck

Answer 8

Anastacia comes to mind first off. What about these also Stacey Anne-Marie, Tanasia Marie Alicia Stacey Brianna Stacey Hope that helps. I like Brianna Stacey the best (but it doesn't have the asia part) or Anastacia - 'stacey' for short.

Answer 9

I LOVE the name Kylie!!!! Its kind of a unique name. until two years ago I had never heard of the name Kylie! I think Kylie is an adorable name!!!!!!

Kylie Lynn

However If you have a boy then I really like the name Taylor for a boy. However you could also name a girl this. I like the name for both boys and girls I think its a cute name!

Taylor Joseph

Answer 10

Your best bet is to pick up one of those 10,000+ book of baby names and browse through a couple of letters each day. Circle names you may consider. When you get through the alphabet, do it again and re-evaulate the names you originally decided.

I noticed yu are due in march, and so was I. We created a 'March Madness Baby Names Bracket' in honor of college basketball's March Madness. We picked 64 boy names and divided them up into brackets. But it was really for the fun of it. All along, we had names in our mind.

You might also want to check the Social Security index of the top 100 names!

All the best to you!