Naming a child is big deal. A name is more than just a way of referencing a person, it is part of an individual’s identity. Silly names, and names that lend themselves to ridicule can set a child up for a lifetime of issues simply because a silly easily ridiculed name gives others an easy but personal attack. Just as making fun of someone’s nose is personal, making fun of a person’s name is equally as personal.

Every name has a meaning. Often when a name becomes popular and acculturated parents stop looking into the meaning of the name at the time of deciding a name. For example, Alexander means “leader of mankind.” This was one of the most popular names of the late 90s and only a small percentage of parents have looked it up. This is not unsatisfactory, it is merely a fact.

Looking into the meaning of names takes time, but it is definitely worth it when you are assigning a child a life time identity. Children have very little say in what goes on in their life until they begin to mature. Of course a child never really has a say in their name unless they opt for a nickname. Names that have multiple nickname options are often great relief for kids who don’t appreciate their name as it gives the child the ability to change things as they grow. However, not all names will lend themselves to any sort of a nickname.

Often people want to get creative with a name, give the child an unusual identity and let them stand out. This tends to work better with girls than boys. When parents get overly creative with baby boys names, the result is often sometimes a little too flowery and the kids at school sooner or later pick him out as a target. While choosing a name should not be based on the behavior of other people, you also don’t want to set someone up for a life time of ridicule.

Baby girls names carry more latitude simply because there are fewer connotations attached to them. Girls with names that are completely original often carry it well and while they typically go through a period during childhood where they wish for something more “normal,” they often grow to appreciate the uniqueness of their name during adolescence or adulthood.