Great Tips For Choosing Baby Names

What should we name our newborn child?
Whether this is the first child or one of a dozen children you and your spouse plan on having, it is one of the most common questions asked by expectant parents when they realize they are going to have a baby. This article is aimed at assisting soon-to-be parents in choosing a name that fits their precious newborn baby.

Through diligence, both parents can find a name that will represent the uniqueness of their child and provide heritage parents want for their younger generation.

So how do you find a name that fits the parent and the child in a world where there is an overabundance of information? The most common method of choosing a baby name comes from virtually any baby name book that can be picked up at your local bookstore or online at various websites such as Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

There are other options available to help you decide on a name for your newborn infant. Some methods of name choosing discussed later include:

• Existing family names (genealogy)
• Religious or Spiritual names
• Mix and Match names
• Pop-Culture and/or local and national society as a foundation for a name
• Base words with meanings

Most Interesting Baby Names

Parents start the process of choosing a baby name sometimes even before the baby is conceived. What you name the baby is important. A name will be with your child for a lifetime so you want to make a meaningful choice that you child can live with.

Family Names
Parents are not the only ones interested in the naming decision. Grandparents often want to see the family legacy continued. For example, some grandparents would like to see the first girl grandchild named after the grandmother. The same is true for the first boy. Fathers who are juniors would often like to continue the line with the second, third, etc. for sake of tradition. Some new parents compromise by giving the middle name of the grandparents to the child.

Trends
Names go through trends just like fashions. For example, fifty years ago, the most popular name for a girl was Mary. For boys it was Michael, followed by James, Robert and John. During the 60s and 70s the world saw an era of enlightenment, free expression, free love, drugs and the peace movement. Names associated with nature came into prominence with names like Sky, River, Sunshine, Summer and Dawn being popular.

Ethnicity and Religion
Many African Americans broke ranks with traditional English names during the age of Black Power and a popular conversion to Islam. Many European names were changed legally, like Cassius Clay to Mohammed Ali, and other simply named new babies either African or Muslim inspired names. Examples are Aaliyah, Ebony, Nadia and Jamila. For boys it was Akeem, Jamal, Malik and Ali.

Biblical Names

Names from the Bible have always been popular and in the top ten in any decade. Daniel, Mark, Samuel and James are examples. For girls Ruth, Sarah and Naomi are names with biblical origins. Oprah Winfrey attributes her name to a misspelling of Orpah from the bible.

Latest Trends
Celebrities have taken the lead in choosing the most unusual baby names. They choose names that have a particular meaning or bring about a particular memory. For example, the baby name chosen by Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon refers to the place they met (Morrocan Scott). Others are just weird like Bear Blu, Kroy Jagger, Diesel or even Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen!! The good news is that most celebrities are choosing traditional names like Amy, Melissa and Megan for girls and Jaden, Michael and Christopher for boys. Hope springs eternal (not a bad name either)! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Inez_E_Moxley Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7153521

Baby Boomers Are Hiring Estate Sale "Downsizing" Companies

Many baby boomers are reaching retirement age. They are ready to move on to another phase in their life and perhaps move to another home. Years of accumulation of childrens toys, furniture, outdated furniture, old electronics, china, crystal and more, won't be needed in their next move.

For many years, families passed down furniture,crystal and china to their children and grandchildren. Children today, for the most part just do not want that style furniture, and other family heirlooms. Maybe because we now have dishwashers and microwaves and other high tech appliances. Perhaps we as "baby boomers" would not want the china and crystal either, if we had the choice. After all, who really enjoys the hand washing of china and polishing of silver.

New Baby Gift or New Parents' Gift - Which Should It Be?

Your good friend, relative or co-worker just had a baby and you want to get them something special. You know they will receive a multitude of new baby gifts including baby toys, pajama sets, diapers, rattles, blankets, and other baby trinkets. And although you can't resist that adorable, soft, squishy, plush teddy bear you found at the baby store, you're thinking the parents need a special gift too!

Well, go ahead and forego the baby clothes and boxes of diapers. Grab that big squishy bear, and pair it up with one of these memorable gifts for new parents:

Spa gift - Give the new parents a much needed gift of relaxation to be enjoyed on a day of their choosing. A deluxe spa gift basket to indulge the senses at home or a certificate to a nearby spa will be a welcome treat when they need it most. Although the new dad may delight in the spa gift as much as mom, you may want to throw in a six-pack of a good micro-brew and a DVD of Three Men and a Baby to add that daddy appeal.

Wine and Chocolates - Those first few weeks home from the hospital will be consumed with all of the new caring-for-baby activities. In addition there will be constant visitors to entertain. As welcoming as all of this new activity will be, the new parents will appreciate those few times when the house is quiet. This is when a nice bottle of wine or bubbly coupled with a box of decadent chocolates would be a welcome alternative to all those new baby toys. Mom and dad will enjoy this delightful treat after baby is fast asleep.