A Name should be approved

The first thing you need to understand about choosing a name for you child is that he/she will be the exact opposite of what you wish the name to say about him/her. For example if you name your child Angel, you can be sure you will be speaking with a police officer at your door late one night in her teens. The same applies with names such as Shy (the world will know everything you may not care to share), Princess (come on really?) and Heaven (do we even have to go there? Sidenote: Nevaeh counts as Heaven).

Second, pay attention to how the name sounds, by itself and together. Bart rhymes with Fart, you may not catch this but I assure you that every seven year old will. If your last name happens to be Cox, Peters or Johnson. I must address the need to stay away from names such as Fonda Lyn, Lil, Seymour or Anya. In fact, although a beautiful name, avoidance of Anya is recommended as is Seymour. Canneon, again however a nice name, should not be used with a last name or middle name of Abel. And however crude this might sound, it is necessary that I mention Mike Hawk and Mike Hunt. As you see the combination is very important as it will be the name that is called over the loud speaker for your child throughout his/her life.

If you would like your child called by a different, name them THAT. If William is written on the roster, how am I supposed to know you want him to be called "Storm". What is he a rockstar at age five? I understand that some names are family names, and some names just flow better, and blah blah blah, just use the name you call them.

Maybe not last, but wrapping it up for now, remember that your child WILL have to pronounce his/her name AND write it. The weird spellings, however cute, are HELL on the teachers. Just a tidbit, the shorter the better. If you weren't the grand champion speller of your school, don't name your child with half the letters of the alphabet. Oh yeah, and just because you think the letter should make that sound, that doesn't mean it will in print; Abcd is not awebeesedee.

In closing, your child's name will follow him/her everywhere. It is not a short answer on a fill in the blank test nor is it a place to "express your creativity". Take it to heart that you don't want to hear "Buster, Buster Cherry please come to the office please" over the loud speaker at school.