By Olivia Suzuki
Your baby's name should last a lifetime. Will this name sound ridiculous in 10 years? Other children may be tempted to chant it in a taunting tone in the schoolyard? In the event that any of these questions are answered "yes", it should be nixed.
It might sound petty, but your child's initials are another crucial consideration. Alyssa Sydney Scott (A.S.S.), for example, is NOT a good choice. You might want to note down the initials of each name you're considering just to be sure.
You can also find inspiration in your family tree. One of your family members may have created a family tree online or your parents may have old records of family names. Take a look to see if anything catches your eye.
You can honor your heritage by choosing a name that comes from your cultural background. There's bound to be at least one name in your culture that you love if you do an online search.
In the schoolyard, kids will bully each other for any reason. Try giving your favorite name(s) to a clever 10-year-old you know to see how quickly it could turn into playground fodder.
It's a good idea to brainstorm possible nicknames with your partner or another trusted family member or friend to make sure you don't overlook anything.