Birthing Around the World

Since ancestral times, different cultures showed off different customs and beliefs around the miracle of life that birthing means. Birth has been also associated to fertility of the earth, and is the symbol of construction that rules the universe.

In Egypt, mortality of both babies and pregnant women were regarded so high that a plea for divine intervention became a rite on the day of childbirth. Hator, Aset and Tawaret were invoked to protect the life and discover the destiny of a newborn.

The Roman obstetrician Soranus (98-138 AD), wrote a book used until the 16th century describing childbirth care and common customs to observe before and after delivery. In the Middle Ages, European women were whipped to induce labor.

During the 18th century, things would change. In 1739, the first obstetric wards in Great Britain were opened, and shortly after the Scottish obstetrician, William Smellie would publish his Treatise on Theory and Practice of Midwifery 1752.

Midwives attended pregnant women and changed old customs, particularly during the next century when modern times began. In 1849, a doctor in Manchester reported three mothers and babies death after experimenting with five cases and because anesthesia was involved, a new superstitious belief was born.

The turn of the century brought more studies on pregnancy, but people kept some custom even until today. In Germany, pregnant women visit a midwife before or instead of consulting an obstetrician. Doctors are considered "optional" on the birthing day.

In several German cities, local government keeps a list of acceptable names for the newborns. Parents must choose a name from it, otherwise file a form compelling their reason asking for a non-listed name, a custom that is kept in an effort to protect children from potential ridicule after parents choose exotic or misspelled name.

In Brazil, pregnant women are meant to have a Caesarean childbirth, because it is a delivery custom, although the government is making efforts for encouraging other childbirth methods with the hope to reduce the public expense that Caesarean surgeries cause to the state.

In Turkey, there are no baby showers or special celebrations before or after the birthing day. The new mother and baby remain isolated for 20 days, after which they go from home to home visiting family and friends on an individual basis and celebrating with a special beverage.

Japan is a nation with a cultural custom that dictates 21-bed days for women after giving birth, as in Mexico old time traditions make a women stay 40 days in bed, custom which only survives in a few remote rural communities today.

The United States is multi-cultural nation where some of these customs are continued by immigrants, and others are resulting from the fusion of local and country home traditions.

by Nicky Pilkington

About the author

For more information about {a href=" http://childbirth.me.uk"} understanding childbirth and other childbirth information you can check out childbirth.me.uk

Biblical Baby names - A Treasure Trove For Expectant Parents

I recently had the opportunity to conduct a short but fascinating print interview with Judith Tropea, author of the recently-published book, "Classic Biblical Baby Names - Timeless Names for Modern Parents."

At the outset, I was struck by a quotation from the book's introduction -- a quotation from Proverbs, 22:1, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches." Rather a bold statement, I thought, especially when many of us hold "great riches" in such high esteem!

What is there to say about a biblical name, or any name for that matter, that could make it so important? After all, isn't a name just a name? As Shakespeare said, "what's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

But would it?
In her book, Judith Tropea notes that "Names are an integral part of our identity. A child's name affects his or her self-perception and reflects the parents' beliefs and cultures. A name pays tribute to the individual spirit and is one of the first wonderful gifts you can offer your child." When I asked her about this during our conversation, she said "A biblical name gives a baby a connection to spirituality that may be a springboard to finding spirituality later in life."

I think that's a pretty good reason for prospective parents to consider the names in the bible. and see what a treasure trove of names might be between the covers.

At my urging, Judith Tropea came up with 3 suggestions each for boy's and girl's names from the bible that are a little out of the ordinary, and that carry a positive spiritual message. For girls, the names were Dannah, Ivah, and Zaccai. For boys, Asher, Barak, and Jakim. I grabbed my copy of her book to see what the meanings and spiritual significance of these names might be.

The name Dannah literally means "judging." It signifies a woman who stands for justice and fair play. Ivah means "overturning," and it is a reminder that faith can move mountains. Zaccai means "just," or "seeker of justice." I was beginning to understand what the author meant about names affecting our self-perception.

The boy's name Asher means "happy" or "blessed." Barak, a name currently very prominent because of the senator from Illinois, means' "flash of lightning," and the spiritual connotation is "powered by God." Jakim means "God lifts up," and it symbolizes a man who lives his life as an example to other people.
Quite a remarkable group of names. "Classic Biblical Baby Names" is filled with examples of names like these, spelling out their literal and spiritual meanings, and how the names crop up in different biblical stories. Some of the names are quite well known, such as Adam, Paul, or Elizabeth; others, like Darius or Calah, are much more obscure. After my conversation with Judith Tropea, I found myself wanting to dig into her book more, to see what other little-known names and meanings are lurking in there.

I also found myself in the odd position of having to disagree with Shakespeare. Much as the great Bard knew his stuff, on this point I think he was mistaken -- a rose, by any other name, sometimes may not smell as sweet.

About the Author

Neil Street is co-publisher of http://www.babynamesgarden.com/ , a website dedicated to helping prospective parents choose a baby name. You can find the full text of his interview with Judith Tropea at http://www.babynamesgarden.com/biblicalnamesinterview.aspx

Selecting The Right Baby Name Can Be Hard

Hey lets face it it's your child and you have the right to name the new infant whatever your heart desires. Do not be influenced by in-laws or pestering family members. In this article I will give you a few tips on what you can do when deciding your newborns name.

First thing is first is to take your time. Don't rush into it that is the worst thing you can possibly do when narrowing down a baby name. Never settle on a name that you are not 100 percent positive on. It can and will last a lifetime! Believe it or not you do not need a baby name before birth. Some parents actually have waited almost 3 weeks after birth before deciding on that perfect child name.

The next tip I recommend is to carefully look at the spelling of the name. One thing me and my husband avoided was naming our child with the same letter of our last name. This can end up being a tongue twister and cause some teasing too. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but you may just want to stay clear of naming your child with the same letter as your last name.

This next tip is probably fifty/fifty on the do we really care list. Do you care about the actual meaning of your soon to be baby's name? Some parents don't really care or even research the meaning of the name. For example, we narrowed down our male name to Corey which means humorous (just like his dad). If you have meaning in mind and need some help with the name you can visit this link: http://www.myveryfirstbaby.com/babyname-finder-and-meaning.htm

My final tip is to recite your choices out loud. Yeah it may sound a little whacky but it works! Say the infant name and even include the middle name (whole other can of worms) and listen to the flow. Believe me one of your choices will click and stay with you. Some of the names that me and my husband liked on paper sounded horrible when saying them out loud. I hope these tips help you select the right baby name. One more thing, have fun with it!

by: Rachel Holland

About The Author

Rachel Holland writes for http://www.myveryfirstbaby.com/

Rachel suggests this material:
http://www.myveryfirstbaby.com/babynamefinder.com.htm
http://www.myveryfirstbaby.com/babyname-finder-and-meaning.htm

History Of Names

The history of names is so ancient that no one know quite where it began. Oral and written history both profess people having names. Earlier names seem to have some sort of meaning, usually descriptive. In contrast, today’s names are usually given based upon their popularity or pleasing sounds.

Early in prehistory, descriptive names were used continuously. Eventually, a collection of names were formed that identified that particular culture. Today, the meanings of many names are not known, due to the aging history of a name. As time goes on, languages change, and words that formed the original name are often unrecognizable.

The rise in Christianity transformed the history of names. Christians were encouraged to name their children after saints and martyrs of the church. Because of this influence, we now see names such as Mary, Martha, Joseph, James, Mark, Paul, and John prominent among many cultures. These names were spread by early missionaries throughout Europe. By the Middle Ages, Christian names were seen predominantly. Each culture had its collection of names, which were a combination of native and early Christian names. However, the naming pools continued to evolve. Modern names often bear little resemblance of their predecessors. Surprisingly, the early Christian names changed very little in comparison.

Bynames are additional identifiers used to distinguish two people with the same name. From these bynames, surnames were developed. Surnames are a comparatively recent development. These usually started out as being specific to a person and then became inherited from father to son. This was a common practice between the twelfth and sixteenth century. This practice was adopted first by the aristocracy and later on by the peasants. Bynames came in various types. The patronymic referred to the father, a matronymic referred to the mother, a locative or toponymic indicated where a person was from,and an epithet described the person in some way ( such as their occupation, office, or status).

Patronymics are common in almost all European cultures. For example, a man named Ivan whose father’s name is Nikolay would be know as Ivan Nikolayevich or “Ivan, son of Nikolay”. In Gaelic, the prefix “Mac” is used to form a patronym. An example would be “MacKenzie” - son of Kenneth. The use of the matronymic is much less common. Common occupational names included Baker, Shepherd, Carpenter, and Wright.

The Romans adopted surnames as far back as 2,000 years ago, while other areas of the world were slower to begin using surnames. However, by the Middle Ages, they were used regularly, first by the nobility and then by the gentry. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Ireland was one of the first countries to adopt surnames. These Irish surnames are found as early as the tenth century.

Today's names are influenced by celebrities, common popular names, and biblical names. To find out more about the meaning of your name go to http://www.babynamebox.com.

About the Author:GranMamma is the webmaster at http://www.babynamebox.com/ - Where you can explore over 6,000 baby names and their meanings. Read articles on parenting, family, home and gardening and be sure to say hi to GranMamma!Read more articles by: GranMamma Smith Article Source: www.iSnare.com

What Is In A Name?

When my son was born, I was just about to turn 32 and his father was 56. Most people figured that was our reason for not having any more children. Wrong! I could not fathom having to go through picking names again. What a disaster. It almost wrecked our marriage.

We did agree that a name was very important. We agreed that it was possible for name to motivate a kid or make him/her the object of ridicule on the playground. We agreed that we should find out what meanings were behind any names we liked or selected. And we even agreed on a few girls' names and that we would wait until the baby arrived to select one of those names.

Although we did not have any scientific evidence, we both wondered if having a name that was considered strange or weird would affect the personality outcome of a child.

I shared some facts about girls that I had known in my youth. Candy became a dancer. Laura was a librarian. And Elizabeth became an attorney. You really had to wonder if the names their parents chose had any impact on their career choices.

While we did share a love of just a few girls' names, we could not agree upon a boy's name. Actually, there were hundreds of names that we both loved. And that was the problem.

The mister spent hours each day pouring over books about baby names and their meanings. Some were strong names. Some names showed integrity. Others were names that sounded wise. There were names that evoked smiles and others that brought back good memories.

Finally, we did agree on a first name, if our baby was a boy. But our problems were not over. The mister had worked with computers when they took up entire buildings. When our son was born, though, the mister was a piano bar player. He wrote and sang and played piano and was actually very creative and artistic. That was our problem. He went about choosing the middle name(s) for our child with a vengeance, trying to be creative and poetic.

Day and night, the mister played with middle names. At one point, he had a list of about sixteen names that he dearly loved. And that's when he got the bright idea that our child should have all of those names. That's right. He wanted to saddle our child, if it was a boy, with a "poem" of names. Actually, the way the mister spoke that list of boys' names was quite entertaining and unique and poetic, but I could not imagine giving a small child the burden of having almost twenty names. The mister thought that it was a perfect idea. Our bickering became a daily thing, and I truly thought we would be divorced before the child was ever born.

When the day came that I was to have labor induced, the mister was ecstatic. He brought the camera along to document the birth, and when I ended up having an emergency c-section, he still took pictures. He wanted the bloody pictures to be a part of our family album, and another fight ensued.

The next morning, before the mister could arrive at the hospital, a shy woman crept into my room. She wakened me and asked if my husband and I had selected a name for our son.

Since the mister was not there, I gave her the first name he and I had selected, plus two middle names and our last name. Instead of a list of almost twenty names, our son had just one more name than usual.

When the mister arrived, I told him that the birth certificate would not have held all of those names. I also explained that there would have been a far greater chance that the birth records would have been wrong had we insisted on giving our child so many names. Both of these were partially true.

Does a baby become the meaning of the name given? Or do parents know from the start what traits their child will have?

Our baby's name meant ruler, and he certainly acted as if he knew that. From the very start, he tried to run the show. Actually, after 22 years, he still tries.

about the author

Marilyn Mackenzie has been writing about home, family, faith and nature for over 40 years. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.BabyNameVote.Com/ which is a site for Baby Names.

Your Name: What Does it Tell About You

Our name is a big part of our identity. It is what other people know us by and something that distinguishes us from everyone else.

What’s In a Last Name?The use of last names, or surnames, became much more prevalent in 1066, after the Norman Conquest. Since this time, surnames have become the norm in society—with a few exceptions, Maddona, Prince and Cher.

The origin of your last name largely depends on the ethnic background of your ancestors. For example, Spanish people commonly use Catholic Saints’ names, Orthodox Jews are required by religious law to name one of their babies after a deceased relative and the Chinese usually have three names, a family name, a generation name and an individual name.

English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish last names are typically grouped into one of four categories: occupations, localities, nicknames or first names.
Many people acquired their last name due to their trade or occupation. These names are self-explanatory: Farmer, Baker, Mason and so on.

Some people were named after where they were from, localities, or after geological characteristics of the land. Marsh, Hill and Sydney are examples of surnames of this type.

People were often named after nicknames; these are some of the most interesting last names. Kennedy, for example, is Gaelic for “ugly head,” Gotobed, stemmed from someone who was lazy.

Last names based on first names were very common in the history of Britain and Ireland. Often a suffix or prefix was added to indicate the relationship of the individual with the person after whom the individual was named. For example, the suffixes “son,” means “son of” and “kin,” is a diminutive. The prefixes “Fitz,” often indicated illegitimacy, “O” means grandson and “Mac” and “Mc” mean “son of.”

These suffixes and prefixes combined with the first name of the father created names like Johnson, Stevenson, Perkin, Fitzgerald, O’Brien and MacDonald.
Does Your First Name Have Significance?Your first name is one of the most important gifts your parents gave you. Most first names have a meaning and you can easily find the meaning of your first name on the Internet through sites like behindthename.com.

The most popular boys name in 2004 in the United States was Jacob, which in Hebrew means holder of the heel. It comes from the biblical Jacob who was born holding his twin brother Esau’s heel.

The most popular girls name in 2004 in the United States was Emily, the medieval feminine form of Aemilius. Aemilius, derived from Latin aemulus meaning “rival.” As you can see, first names come from many different roots.
Our names are much more than a word that identifies us. So take some time and investigate your heritage and your name—you might be surprised.

References
Benes, Clarence H, & Steinbrink, John E, Social Studies: Living up to your name (1996)
Kennedy, John. Brittish Surnames: First-names, Localities, Occupaitons, Nicknames. [2005] 23 Sept. 2005
Powell, Kimberly. Glossary of Last Name Meanings and Origins [2003] 23 Sept 2005
genealogy.about.com/library/surnames/bl_meaning.htm
Cristopher Fowers Cristopher Fowers is a Writer/Reviewer for TopTenREVIEWS.com. TopTenREVIEWS features expert reviews for technology and entertainment products and services. For more information and an in-depth review on genealogy search websites, see the TopTenREVIEWS Genealogy Search Review Site. We do the research so you don’t have to™.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cristopher_Fowers

Maternity Clothes 101

For today’s mom to be the maternity clothes selection is extensive – unlike decades past when gingham and bows were the only maternity clothes options.
Shopping for maternity clothes can be a daunting task for a new mother to be.

The rule of thumb is to look for maternity clothes in the same size that has been worn pre-pregnancy. Maternity clothes are designed to be roomier in the bust as well as the belly. About the only time a woman might need the next bigger size is if she is expecting twins or has had extra large babies in the past – 9 pounds or more.

Maternity clothes should be pretty basic, made of stretch fabrics such as cotton jersey and some spandex.

Buy no more than two maternity bras at one time because it is very possible for the mother to be to gradually grow several bra and cup sizes over the course of her pregnancy. An expectant mother who is going to breastfeed should not buy nursing bras until the 8th month.

Most pregnant women don’t want to spend money on a ton of maternity clothes and outfits so find themselves wearing the same few things over and over again for several months. It’s important that the mom-to-be pamper herself with at least one fun outfit that makes her feel great. It might be some fancy evening dress that fits tightly around the oversized belly or a really cool pair of evening pants.

When the mom-to-be is ready for the trip to the hospital the only clothes she should bring are maternity clothes. First time mothers tend to think once the baby is born they’ll be back in their pre-pregnancy clothes. That, however, is not the case for a while after taking the newborn baby home.

Jeanette Pollock is a freelance author and website owner of plussizeclothing-hq.com. Visit Jeanette's site to learn more about maternity clothes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeanette_Pollock

Choosing Maternity Bras For Maximum Comfort And Support

If you are new to pregnancy and breastfeeding, you may be a little overwhelmed with the commitments of motherhood. Although this may feel like unknown territory, it is not as difficult as it may seem. For example, in choosing maternity bras, many of the same factors apply as regular bras. However, there are a few new considerations to keep in mind.

The key to choosing maternity bras is finding something that is comfortable and supportive. Because your breasts grow considerably during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you need something that can hold up to the challenge. If you have relatively small breasts, this will not be as difficult. However, the larger your breasts are, the harder it is to find something that will work effectively.

Typically, maternity bras that have wide straps are more supportive; this applies to shoulder straps as well as the torso band. While most women prefer something that is pretty, it really is more important to get something that works. Luckily, many of the maternity bras on the market today are attractive as well as effective. You just may have to look a little harder to find them. If possible, you should try on a few maternity bras before purchasing. Take into consideration that your body and breasts will continue to grow through pregnancy, that a lot of that weight will drop at birth, and that your breasts will continue to grow when breastfeeding.

Most maternity bras open to allow for breastfeeding. When you try on the bras, you should play with this feature and see how easily you can remove the breast. This may seem unnecessary, but when you are holding a baby with one hand and trying to open the bra with the other, you will understand why this is important! Complicated latches or awkward positioning will be a major hindrance when trying to breastfeed.

There are many places to purchase maternity bras. Many of the stores you are accustomed to shopping at, however, may not carry them. Shop around and visit several retail shops and maternity stores to widen your options. Shopping online is also a convenient option. You may want to check local stores, though to try on some of the brands available.

Although you will want super-supportive maternity bras for day wear, you may also want to consider a more comfortable version for night wear. Most breastfeeding women can not go without a bra, as the weight of the breast may cause them to leak. On the other hand, few women want to wear a restrictive bra all day. Find a looser, more natural bra to sleep in that still allows for easy feeding.

About the Author:Julia Tanner is a professional writer. More articles can be found at: pregnancy chat rooms , maternity bras , pregnancy pillowsRead more articles by: Julia Tanner Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Let Your Children Name the New Baby

Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make your children feel important by letting them help you name the new baby. After all, you're not the only one who's having a baby - your whole family is ! Use the process of naming the baby as an opportunity to get your other children involved in and excited about their new brother or sister, and make the process fun. Try a little humor, with wild list-making sessions that may eventually lead you to the perfect baby name that will fill that vacant space on your family tree.

Here are some of the points, both serious and silly, that you can encourage your children to consider when sifting through the thousands of possible baby names that are floating around out there. I've added a few sample names, from appropriate to absurd, to make your children laugh and enjoy the name choosing process, and to get your whole family thinking.

First of all, don't choose a first name that is SO odd and unusual that, as your child grows up, his or her friends will endlessly make fun of it. Perhaps "Sassafras" or "Tintinabulation" are not the best name choices. On the other hand, you may not want a name that is SO common that every third child in the playground has it, too. Of course, what is "too common" changes every few years. When I was a child in the early 1960s, every other kid answered if someone called out "Bobby" or "Joey."

You might also want to avoid a baby name that is so up-to-the-minute and trendy that it may sound ridiculous by the time your child hits kindergarten. I'd think twice before naming a baby "Megabyte" or "Bloggy." Then again, if the name is VERY old fashioned, that can also lead to taunting by other children. How would you like to be in the third grade and be named "Horatio Cornelius" ? Other old fashioned names, though, such as Rachel and Sarah, never seem to go out of style.

Sometimes a name sounds really cute on a tiny baby, but inappropriate on a mature adult. Should anyone have to go through life as "Dimples" or "Pinky" or "Bitsy" ? Still, there are other names that may suit a serious bank executive, but sound too somber for a toddler - take "Harold Thaddeus" or "Mildred Hortense," for instance. Shoot for some sort of middle ground between cutesy-pie babyish and dour fuddy-duddy.

You may also want to avoid names, or combinations of first and middle name, that have a very strong negative association with a particular person or event in history, like "John Wilkes" or "Lee Harvey."

Consider the spelling of any baby name that you and your children like. Will it be so difficult to spell or to pronounce that your child will be condemned to a lifetime of seeing and hearing people mangle his or her name and having to endlessly correct them ? As a case in point, I might have been named "Ides" (pronounced "Ee-dess") but, luckily for me, my parents dropped the idea for fear that I might wind up being called "Ides" (as in "Beware the Ides of March").

After all of the "don'ts" I've mentioned, how about some "dos" for your kids to ponder. Maybe you'd like to name the baby in honor of a special relative, past or present, or a close friend of the family. Think about all the people in your life who've been dear to you. You may even choose to show respect for a famous person you really admire.

Another possibility is to celebrate your ethnic roots by choosing a current or traditional name that comes from your family's cultural heritage, or some branch of it, if your lineage blends several different ethnic backgrounds.

How about naming the baby for a book or movie character that you and your children love ? Perhaps a little "Harry" or "Dorothy" is waiting to be born. (Possibly a tiny "Pinocchio" or "Thumbelina," although those may be a bit extreme.)

The meanings of baby names are a popular element to consider. You could begin with a special meaning, like "beloved" or "gentle" or "courageous," and then see what names stem from those words. Different languages and cultures can lead you to various name choices, all with the same specific meanings. If you want to avoid negative meanings, however, I suppose that "Picklepussia" would be out of the running.

You may want to use a particular letter of the alphabet as your starting point. If you're expecting a baby girl you might, for example, list every girl's name that you can think of that begins with the letter V - Valerie, Victoria, Veronica, Violet, and so forth. For a more novel approach, how about drawing from all the first names that contain six letters - Joseph, Daniel, Joshua... or seven - Matthew, Malcolm, William...

If you find a first name that you all like, consider its variant forms, too. For example, Christine might also lead you to Kirsten, Christina, Kristen, or Crystal. A potential baby Mary might wind up being named Miriam, Marion, Maryanne, Marie, Maria, Marilyn, or Marlene.

For any name that you all like, try it on for size and live with it for a while. If you name the baby Melissa, will she end up being called "Missy" or "Mel" ? Think of all the nicknames that any given name might spawn and be sure that you can live with the nicknames, as well as the full version of the name. Avoid inadvertently negative nickname-producing names. Don't name the baby "Smellonius" if you don't want him to be called "Smelly" by his schoolmates.

Once you've arrived at a short list of first names that you, your spouse and your children can all agree upon, look at each name within the context of the full name that it will be a part of. Find a first and middle name that suit and go nicely with each other, and with the sound of your last name. "Ernesto Casimir Jones" might not create the most pleasing effect and "Calliope Bathsheba Schmidt" may not quite roll off the tongue.

Test lots of combinations of your family's favorite name choices until you hit upon the perfect one. Then be sure to examine the resulting set of initials. You don't want to give your baby a beautiful and well thought out full name, only to later discover that the monogrammed handkerchiefs will read "P.I.G" or "Y.U.K." or "D.U.M." So avoid the likes of "Philip Ian Green" (alias "Pig") or "Yelburton Uriah Keep" (commonly called "Yuck") or "Doris Ursulla Martin" (a.k.a. "Dumb").

If your favorite name passes that test, next imagine it as it will be used by different people on different occasions. Using John Q. Public as an example, let's look at all of its forms: John Quincy Public, John Q. Public, John Public, J. Q. Public, Johnny P., J.Q.P., J.Q., and even "J.P. loves S.A." carved on a tree. Explore every possibility for any inadvertent gaffs.

Picture your chosen name as it will appear in various real life situations: how will it look on a school register ? on a diploma ? on a resumé ? in the oval office ? What impression will it create ? Will it sound dignified ? snobbish ? flakey ? classy ? friendly ? pretentious ? dumb ? What would you like to shoot for - interesting and harmonious, but neither too weird nor too dull ?

Once you've found a combination of names that can pass muster and meet every criteria set forth, and that you're all just crazy about, there's one more factor to consider. How does this new name go with those of your other children ? Imagine shouting down the street to call your kids in for dinner, or listing your children's names on a government form, or signing a holiday card. Do you really want that birthday card to your favorite aunt to read "Happy Birthday, Aunt Emma ! Love Terry, Jason and Tondaleo" ?

If you can jump over this final hurdle you've done it ! You've found the perfect baby name for that little someone who's soon to be a part of your family, and your children will be more enthused about the baby's arrival if they've helped you choose that name. It will truly be THEIR baby, too.

Make the process as lively and amusing as you can to get them into the spirit of it. For each point that I've mentioned, encourage your kids to draw up long lists of possibilities, including silly lists. Let them have fun and get all of their wildest name suggestions out of their systems, too. Create your own "name the baby" games, such as "What would we name the baby if we were Martians ?" "What if we'd lived 300 years ago ?" "What if the name had to end with the letter 'a' ?" Use your imagination, and your kids will be sure to use theirs, too. That perfect name is out there somewhere, you just need to find it.

Have fun !

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About the Author: Visit Children's Clothing, Stories and Family Gifts from Baby Bird Productions to see Barbara Freedman-De Vito's catalog of fun animated children's stories on CDs, as well as clothing and gift items decorated with pictures from the stories. Barbara has spent years as a children's librarian, teacher, professional storyteller, puppeteer, author and artist.

Choosing Trendy Or Traditional

Lists of baby names are always fun to look at, whether you're seeking a name for your soon-to-be-born baby boy or baby girl, wondering about the popularity of your own first name, or just curious about what baby names are currently hot.What I find particularly interesting is tracking the popularity of baby names over the decades.

In looking through U.S. government baby name lists from 1880 to the present, some amusing patterns emerge, particularly in regards to baby names for girls.For example, in Victorian times Biblical names, such as Mary, Sarah and Ruth were very popular for baby girls. There were also many baby names that sounded very old-fashioned to me, as a kid growing up in the 1960s, including names like Martha, Alice, Bertha and Minnie.From the 1920s to the 1950s certain baby names rose in popularity. For example, I went to school with many Susans, Debbies, Patricias, and Lindas. All of these baby names have since waned, to be replaced, by the 1980s, with fancier names such as Jennifer, Jessica and Nicole. When I was a children's librarian in the 1980s my preschool storyhours were populated with little girls named Lauren and Jenny, and little boys named Alex and Matthew.More recently there's been a lot of renewed interest in more "old-fashioned" baby names like Hannah, Abigail and Ethan, plus many Biblical names such as Sarah, Rachel, Joshua, Jacob, and Samuel. There's also been a surge in nontraditional baby names including Madison, Ashley and Brianna for baby girls, and Brandon and Logan for baby boys.It's interesting to consider the whys and wherefores of such developments.

Sometimes, I suspect, the popularity of a specific actor or fictional character might result in many babies with a particular name. For example, were some of the Lauras born in the 1970s and 1980s given a name suggested by older brothers and sisters who were growing up watching "Little House on the Prairie ?" Were some attributable to the super popular Laura of "General Hospital" fame ?Today Madison is a very highly ranked baby name for girls (ranking number 3 in 2003) but, when the film "Splash" came out in 1984, Tom Hanks' character told Daryl Hannah's character that Madison was not a bona fide first name.While baby girls' names seem quite subject to the whims of fashion and the top ten lists can change radically over time, I've noticed that, in general, the top baby names for boys remain far more stable. Names like John, William and James are perennials, perhaps because baby boys are often named for their fathers, perpetuating the popularity of certain baby names from generation to generation.

The "Junior" factor aside, baby boys are also less apt to be given fanciful names.A comparison of the changing fortunes of my own first name, Barbara, with those of my husband's name, Robert, gives a good illustration of the difference in stability between baby girl names and baby boy names over time.My name grew in popularity in the 1930s, '40s and '50s, peaking at the number 2 position in baby name popularity, which it tenaciously held from 1937 to 1944. When I attended grad school, of a class of approximately forty students, there were no less than three baby boomers named Barbara. Should I thank the actress Barbara Stanwyck for this ? Alas, my first name later suffered a slow, steady decline and placed at a pitiful number 628 position on the baby names popularity list for the U.S. in 2003.Robert, on the other hand, has survived the vicissitudes of baby name popularity. It held a coveted spot on the top ten most popular baby names list every year from 1896 to the late 1980s, often peaking at number 1 between the 1920s and the 1950s. It has gradually slipped since the 1990s, but still managed to hold the respectable slot of number 35 in 2003.

When naming a baby there are, of course, many other points to consider besides how popular or unique a name is. Here are some helpful tips that you can use with your other children to get them involved in choosing a name for the new baby and to make the process fun:1. Baby names need to go nicely with the sound of your last name. Also, pick a first name and a middle name that go together well. (So maybe not something like Erasmus Beelzebub Smith !)2. When your family finds a name you all like, look at the initials to be sure that you don't give the new baby a name with initials that will make people laugh. (So maybe not Pamela Iris Green, which equals P.I.G. !)3. You might not want a baby name that is so unusual that the other kids will make fun of your little brother or sister as he or she grows up. (So maybe not Rosebud or Molasses !)4.

You also might not want a baby name that is so trendy that it will sound funny by the time the baby is ten years old. (So maybe not Sunshine !)5. You probably shouldn't pick a name that's really cute for an adorable little baby but will sound silly when the baby grows up. (So maybe not Dimples !)6. Avoid baby names that might produce insulting nicknames when people shorten them. (So maybe not Smellonius, or Smelly for short !)7. You and your family might not want a name that is so hard to spell or to pronounce that people will always get it wrong and your poor little brother or sister will have to go through life correcting people. (So maybe not something like Incandescence, or is it Incandessints ? )8. You and your family might want to pick baby names in honor of favorite relatives or ancestors, or special names that show your family's ethnic roots.

You might even find a special name from a book or movie that you love. (Like Harry ?)9. You might want to look through books of baby names and pick one that has a special meaning that you like - maybe something that means "sweet" or "kind" or "brave." (So maybe not wimp !)10. You might want to think about names that will go nicely with your name and your other brothers' and sisters' names, so that if mom or dad are calling you all for dinner or signing a birthday card to grandma it won't sound too crazy.(So maybe not "Happy Birthday, Grandma ! Love, Joey, Cindy and Dweevo !")There are hundreds of names waiting for you out there, so good luck on your search for the perfect name !

About the Author:Barbara Freedman-De Vito, professional storyteller, teacher and artist, has a website with baby clothes, children's clothing and gift items decorated with her colorful and amusing artwork for kids. Visit Baby Bird Productions Children's Clothing and Baby Clothes at http://babybirdproductions.com/Read more articles by: Barbara Freedman-De Vito Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Celebrity Maternity Clothing Today

For past generations, becoming pregnant meant that women were condemned to 9 months of baggy, shapeless clothing choices. Maternity clothing which wasn't comfortable or appealing. Today it is different though; wider ranges of maternity clothing are available. Celebrities and well known personalities, wearing the most fashionable maternity wear have helped to broaden our options in modern maternity wear. This of course, helps to increase the success and range in maternity wear stores throughout the world.

In turn, the larger demand for greater choices in modern maternity wear dictates that the stores will have better selections available. Higher disposable income amongst pregnant women also helps. There are many more attractive and comfortable options available today.

Variety in Women's Clothing

Especially over the last 5 years or so, the public has seen many more pregnant celebrities. This has generated more interest in how they present themselves and what they are wearing. Pregnancy has become a fashionable time in many celebrities' lives, translating to more interest and demand for this clothing in the general public.

This demand has flowed on to department, specialty and discount stores as women demand more flattering and better fitting maternity wear. Retailers take their cues on how women spend their money; this explains the greater maternity clothing ranges on display and the ever growing new lines in maternity wear.

Lifestyle changes such as women choosing to have their pregnancies later in life, perhaps after they have built a career have also become reason for changes in the maternity clothing available today. The same applies to many celebrities, who leave child rearing until later in life so they can establish a stable and financially secure life.

However, there are differences between what an average family and celebrities can afford, even in maternity clothing. Compared to say, five years ago the choices in maternity clothing, often driven by what pregnant celebrities wear are definitely broader.

It is now much simpler to find appealing, flattering maternity clothing online. You can find versions of celebrity maternity fashions alongside more basic lines; this has helped online sales grow immensely. Also, you will find that by shopping online you have access to much wider clothing options than you would by walking into any clothing store.

Informed by both the maternity clothing of celebrities and clothing the average woman wants, retailers have definitely come to the party, increasing the clothing options available today. This of course, raises the retailer's profitability.

For more information on Womens Maternity Clothing or Womens Maternity Help visit us at http://www.womensmaternity.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chelsea_Aubin

Maternity Clothes

The days that maternity clothes featured a classic jean and a long oversized T-shirt are long over. Hollywood actresses and fashion designers introduce today a new much more stylish image for modern women who are expecting. Today, delivering a baby has become something like a new trend, making maternity clothes an absolute must for a soon-to-be mother's wardrobe.

While for the first few months of a woman's pregnancy, the choices in garment and accessories can remain unchanged, as the belly becomes evident, the waistline increases and the breasts become bigger, new clothes, specifically made to accommodate a woman's maternity needs enter their closet spaces. In fact, visiting the local maternity clothes store, either for a special occasion outfit, or to browse the plus size maternity section, provides women with a great variety of possible clothing solutions. Understanding the women's need to feel comfortable but also chic, clothes manufacturers have developed new maternity clothes lines that are trendy and fashionable. Promoting the specific period in a woman's life has indeed become a new focal point for the fashion industry, which has managed to reason the old doomed feeling of fashion exclusion. Vibrant colors, new trendy styles, and comfortable designs, can actually help women reach their baby delivery day in a glowing outfit. Expecting women, who show off their bellies instead of hiding it under layers of clothes, have become a common sight that puts smiles on people's faces.

Since in most cases being pregnant today is in fact a matter of choice, maternity clothes are designed to reflect that happy feeling of bringing a new baby into this world. Hippie choices, for example, like stylish free-flowing ethnic skirts, kaftans and yoke dresses that can easily accommodate a growing belly, encompass both the need to feel comfortable and also trendy. Accessories that keep visual details on top, such as a scarf, a small bolero jacket, or bold jewelry, reflect the woman's desire to be hip and trendy, as well as to show off a happy maternity look. Comfortable, sports underwear and maternity jeans are of course among the must-haves during the maternity period, since the female body needs the necessary room to grow and also requires comfort and support. Finally, suits that can be worn in multiple circumstances, also known as multifunctional suits, can help women be in fashion and feel sexy during an evening out.

In short, being pregnant today should not result in women looking tacky or sloppy. Women can and actually should wear clothes that make them feel comfortable, but at the same time promote their maternity status. Being able to select from a great variety of maternity clothing, pregnant women are eligible to enjoy the period before giving birth as much as they will enjoy the one after; probably, fashion-wise, even more!

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Clothing, Beauty, and Travel

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathon_Hardcastle

Pregnancy - Problems And Solutions

Most of the people believe that pregnancy brings with it only change in body is expanding waistline. If you also feel so then to your surprise there is many other changes take place in the bodies of the women. Due to these changes one can feel problems in the digestive system, stretch marks along with other changes in the skin, increased weight and sleeping problems. With the expansion of the uterus women start feeling pain in the area of the groin, abdomen, thigh and back. When the pressure of the head of the baby increases pain in the pelvic area also starts.

Lying Down And Resting Can Help In Pregnancy
If these early pregnancy symptom or any other pregnancy symptom is creating much trouble for you during the pregnancy week by week then you can try following remedies for it. Keep your body in lying down position because resting eases some of the pain caused by the pregnancy. Alternatively you can apply heat also to get some relief.

Changes That May Take Place in The Breasts
There are some changes take places in the breasts of the women during the pregnancy. The size of the breast of the pregnant women increases. As the due date comes nearer the size of the breasts gets even bigger due to the hormonal changes. This is the method of the nature for preparing your body for the breastfeeding. You may feel a little bit uncomfortable because the fullness and heaviness of the breast may lead to the tenderness.

How To Deal With The Leaking Liquid During pregnancy after a definite period of time a liquid starts leaking from the breasts of the pregnant women. This liquid is known as colostrum. This is yellowish and thick fluid contains the antibodies so that the newborn baby could be prevented from any kind of infection. In some cases the quantity of this colostrum or the first milk is too much and the women start feeling embarrassing. To avoid such kind of situation one can take the help of nursing pads inside the bra.

Soap Dries The Nipples And Irritates Them
If you are also facing similar kind of troubles during the pregnancy then here are some tips for you. First of all you should choose the right kind of bra. According to the experts a nursing or maternity bra is the most suitable option because it is soft and can provide the extra support. In addition, do not use any kind of soap while washing your nipples. This is because soap can produce a drying and irritating effect on the nipples. Any moisturizing cream that contains the lanolin is the right cure for the cracked nipples.

About the Author
Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource http://www.earlypregnancy-symptom.info/ She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and welcome your new world of motherhood. Visit Early Pregnancy Symptom.Info

Baby Boy Names

A baby brings joy and happiness. It also carries forward a bit of you. Perhaps the most important function a parent undertakes after the birth of a boy is to select a name for him. Most parents would like the name to be special, and mean something to their son when he grows up.

A son for many holds a special place. Since ancient times a son is seen to be the “one to carry on the family.” Naming a son can be quite emotional and often family traditions come into play—in many families sons carry into the next generation the family name, which may be centuries old.

Be practical and take up the task like modern-day parents. Buy a beautiful inspiring notebook and write down your thoughts. Would I like my son to carry forward a tradition or heritage? Would I like him to be proud of his roots? Or shall we strike out and name him something different? Weigh the pros and cons of all these options.

Call over the family or clan for an impromptu get-together and make the “name choosing” a collective effort. Glance into family legends and history. Study the family tree and how different generations were named. Find out if anyone in the family was famous or illustrious, like a poet, a painter, or writer. Is there an explorer or adventurer hidden among your ancestors? Discover a pioneer who may have sailed the ocean to bring his family to a new land. Make a list of such possibilities.

Consider carefully if you would like your son to be named after a person who has meant something to you, helped you, or done something special. Look through social security lists, literature, the World Wide Web, and books for inspiration. In case you belong to an ethnic group or culture or specific religion, and have a religious frame of mind, then look for a name in the scriptures or books that are specific to your origins and culture.

Many like naming their children after great men from history, or heroes of legend and lore. Or on attributes such as strength, intelligence, beauty, and so on. If you would like to think about this then spare the time to go to a library and do intensive research.

Once you have made a tentative list of names both of you like, you must say it out loud, whisper it softly, sing a song, and write it out. How does it co-ordinate with your last name? Check whether the initials do not sum up to be something embarrassing, like ASS. Can the name become the source of peer teasing? Will the child and his friend be able to spell or pronounce it? And is the name such that it will grow with the child? Imagine a grown woman called Pixie or a hulk of a man called Jellybeans.

Ensure that the baby’s name is strong, bold, and happy. It should reflect the qualities and traits of the boy and bring joy all around him. Choose a name that has strong gender identification. Pick a name that will stand him in good stead, and one he will be proud to be known by.

Baby Names provides detailed information on Baby Names, Baby Girl Names, Baby Name Meanings, Baby Boy Names and more. Baby Names is affiliated with Baby Clothing Stores.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Emerson

Top List Of Baby Girls Names - Choosing Perfect Baby Names For Girls

The list of baby girls names that are the most popular can help you when deciding on which names are the best baby names for girls. Choosing her name is fun for the parents, family and friends, and her name will be something she will live with the rest of her life. Keep these tips in mind when selecting baby names for girls:

1. Select names based on their meanings - a positive meaning adds to the enjoyment of her name both now and later in life.

2. Decide if you prefer popular names or unique names - the list of baby girls names below are the most popular names in the USA since the year 2000. If you choose a unique name, be careful. Constantly having her name mispelled or mispronounced can be frustrating for her and everyone else.

3. Practice saying baby names for girls aloud - how do they sound? Say the entire name - first, middle and last. Do they rhyme? If your last name is complicated, a simpler first name may work best. If your last name is simple, try simple first names and try first names that are more complicated.

4. Do the names for baby girls initials you are considering form any kind of word? If a word is formed, is it OK? For example, you will not want to create a name combination that results in initials such as BAD, NOT, WUS, FAT and so on.

5. Are there common nicknames that are associated with the names? Are the nicknames acceptable to you? Will the nicknames be acceptable to her?

Looking at the list of baby girls names that are the most popular is a fun and practical way to see what girls names are frequently used. Here is the top list of baby girls names given to girls in the USA since the year 2000:

1. Emily
2. Madison
3. Hannah
4. Emma
5. Ashley
6. Alexis
7. Samantha
8. Sarah
9. Abigail
10. Olivia
11. Elizabeth
12. Alyssa
13. Jessica
14. Grace
15. Lauren
16. Taylor
17. Kayla
18. Brianna
19. Isabella
20. Anna
21. Victoria
22. Sydney
23. Megan
24. Rachel
25. Jasmine

When selecting baby names for girls, remember that your girls name will always be part of her identity. Stay away from funny names. Your child or her friends may not think it is funny. Have fun with the list of baby girls names. Choose her name carefully, a name that will have meaning and significance to you and your child. She and others will be using and living with her names for her lifetime. And since you know she is going to be a star, help her on that journey by giving her the perfect girls names that she truly deserves.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

About the Author:

Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com/ - visit the website and learn more about decorating ideas for kids bedrooms, nursery bedding, toy chests and playroom design ideas.

Book Review Roundup

Best Baby Name Book In The Whole World

This book lists over 13,00 names and offers up meanings and lists. However, these are some basic baby name book requirements and certainly aren't enough to earn a "Best" title. Unfortunately, this is where the book falls. Not quite great, but not necessarily bad. It doesn't have a huge number of names, it doesn't offer oodles of extras, and some of its meanings are even a bit questionable. There are better books out there.

The Baby Name Wizard

This unusual baby name book really stands out from the crowd. Not simply a huge list of names, The Baby Name Wizard gives detailed information about each baby name in its database. Graphs, lists, and all kinds of fun information are invluded. The only downside to this addicting book is its rather slim list of actual baby names. It doesn't rank up there with the 50,001 name books, although perhaps you may appreciate the more limited scope. Aside from this, The Baby Name Wizard comes highly recommended.

Cool Names For Babies

This is a fun book that will inject some enjoyment back into your baby naming process. It's full of left-of-center baby names that will stimulate your thinking and probably lead you down some baby name paths you wouldn't have thought of. Not all is perfect, of course. Cool Names for Babies lacks a user friendly index and makes it difficult to find a specific name. The coolness of these names is likely to change as time passes since it is (naturally) focused on trends.

Baby Names: A New Generation

This book, as you may glean from its title, is focused on the ever-changing popularity of certain baby names. Want to make sure you aren't given your child a name that will seem old fashioned? Then this is the book for you. Its forward thinking and pleasing layout will help remove some of the tedium of selecting the perfect name for your child.

About the Author:

Ian Byrd runs the website http://www.top-100-baby-names.us and writes articles and reviews on baby naming resources.

Read more articles by: Ian Byrd

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Considering Your Last Name

It's overwhelming enough to decide on a perfect first name for your baby, but if you're not considering its effects on your baby's last name you may be setting him up for future disaster. It's easy to overlook how the combination of your baby's first name and last name will work together. Let's look at a few pointers in this area.

Perhaps the most obvious place to start is using a duplicate name for your baby's first and last names. William Williams or John Johnson for example. These names may cause some flack for your child going through school or they may provide a way to really set them apart. Mitch Mitchell, for example, was a famous drummer with Jimi Hendrix.

Common words as last names can present problems. My last name is Byrd and I have to think twice about names so my baby doesn't end up with a silly name. Be especially aware if your last name is slang for something vulgar. You can be sure your child will never live down a name like Richard Johnson once they hit high school.

Next, make sure the first name you pick doesn't end with the same sound that your last name begins with. For example, when saying Mark Kogan aloud, it sounds like Mark Ogan or Mar Kogan. And John Nolan becomes Jaw Nolan or John Olan. Just a small point to check for once you're pretty certain on a name.

Also make sure that shortened first names don't clash with your baby's last name. Edward Jed will most likely shorten to Ed Jed which has a silly sound to it. The classic prank phone call name Ben Dover is the result of a shortened first name as well.

Any name you choose can be made fun of somehow, but these are just some ways to make sure you avoid the most obvious mistakes. Above all, be sure to say your baby's whole name outloud so that you can evaluate its entire sound. Good luck finding that perfect name for your baby!


About the Author:

Ian Byrd runs the website http://www.top-100-baby-names.us and writes articles and reviews on baby naming resources.

Read more articles by: Ian Byrd

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Hindu Baby Names And Their Meanings

Hindu people take naming their children very seriously. They give their children names that will guide them to live a life of morality. The name is often reminiscent of divine qualities. Hindus often name their children after holy people, sages, saints, and even use the names of God and the Gods.

Many people are looking for exotic and unique names for their babies today. Tired of the same old names like William and Mary, some are looking towards Hindu names to find one for their baby that will make them stand out as an individual.

Boy Names

Each Hindu name has a meaning and most parents look at the meaning as well as the name itself. If you are looking for a strong, powerful name for your son, consider these:

Jayin (Conqueror)
Nayakan (Hero)
Nirek (Superior)
Ojayit (Courageous)
Paranjoy (Conqueror of Life)
Paramjit (Heroic)
Ranjiv (Victorious)
Sabal (With strength)
Sahasya (Mighty)
Savir (Leader)

Many male Hindu names have royal connotations such as:

Adhiraj(King)
Akhilesh (Lord & master)
Bhupal(King)
Birendra (King of warriors)
Hemen(The King of gold)
Hiresh (King of precious stones)
Iravan (King of ocean)
Kanvar (Prince)

There are other beautiful male Hindu names to choose from with many meaningful translations including Aashish (Blessing), Bijoy (Full of joy), Chiman (Curious), Deep (Light), Ekagrah (Focused), Gandhik (Fragrance), Hardik (Full of love), Jawahar (Gem), Mitrajit (Friendly), Navrang (Colorful), Paran (Life), Rasul (Angel), Sadhil (Perfect), Tuhin (Snowy), Umang (Desire), Vatsa (Son), and Yamir (Moon).

Girl Names

Baby girl Hindu names are equally if not more beautiful than the boy names. Many names have gem and flower meanings such as:

Prithika (Flower)
Reena (Gem)
Samali (Bouquet)
Taj (Crown/Jewel)
Vainavi (Gold)
Vanalika (Sunflower)

There are also many names with celestial meanings such as:

Anamitra (The sun)
Arundhati (Star)
Bhumika (Earth)
Bhuvi (Heaven)
Chandrika (Moon)
Dhara (Earth)
Indulekha (Moon)

Of course, there are many more beautiful names to choose from including Alpana (Beautiful), Bimala (Pure), Chahna (Love), Devanshi (Divine), Fulki (Spark), Grishma (Warmth), Ipsita (Desire), Kala (Art), Lalima (Beauty), Mitali (Friendly), Nirali (Different), Panchali (Princess), Sarayu (Wind), Usha (Dawn), and Venya (Lovable).

For both boys and girls alike, there are many names with god and goddess meanings such as Ambika (Goddess Parvati), Bhaumi (Goddess Sita), Banke (Lord Krishna), Devkumar (Son of God), Hemavati (Goddess Parvati), Hiranya (Lord Vishnu), Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth), Nadiy (Holy place), Narayan (Lord Vishnu), Parvati (Goddess), Rishi (Sage), and Sara (Goddess of Sound).

As you can see, there are many stylish and exquisite Hindu baby names from which to choose. If you are not Hindu though, you may want to check with someone who is for the exact pronunciation of a name.

About the Author:

Julie Parker is a successful writer and publisher providing valuable tips and advice on finding the top baby names, unusual baby names, and baby name meanings. Her numerous articles offer thoughtful tips and valuable insight into baby naming. Check out the "Top 100 Baby Names" list from the last 6 years.

Read more articles by: Julie Parker

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

The Top 100 Baby Names Tell an Interesting Story

It’s interesting what story the top 100 baby names have to tell. Every few years you hear that new name popping up and you immediately know what everyone was watching on TV or who the nation’s hero was in sport a few years back.

Then you look at those names that remain constant, those that never get knocked off the winning post no matter what’s going on below. Take for instance, Jack has remained in top position (boys, UK) for 11 years, Jacob (boys, US) for seven years and Emily (girls, US) for 10 years.

I do wonder why people just follow a trend and go for the #1 in the top 100 it’s just like a best seller where the more people read something the more other people want to read the same book. Yet, for baby names, following the common line takes away an element of individuality, sometimes making one child feel the same as the next and taking away that little element that makes a child feel special.

Then there’s the really weird names which make you wonder how on earth so many people decided it was a good name for their baby. I was looking through the top 100 baby names (US) the other day and noticed Angel as #32, now Angel to me is a really weird name for a boy that I would detest being called as a lad but them obviously I’m well off the mark given it’s popularity.

At the end of the day people tend to have very differing opinions as to the best baby names and whether they should be common, unusual or down right weird. For me, a child should love their name it should make a statement and make them feel special. For me baby names should be chosen with care, not to popular, with an element of originality but never weird. Your baby has to live through life from childhood to grave and should love and be proud of the name they have been given and not made to feel one of a crowd or mocked and abused.

Terry Ross is the author for and the creator of: 1st-4-baby, a site dedicated to pregnancy, baby names and baby care.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Ross

Name Your Baby for the Stars

What do I name my baby? Along with minor things like, how will I support my child and oh my goodness the baby is how many pounds and coming through how big an opening, this is a question that plagues new parents today. More and more people are shooting for originality in the naming process, wanting to be certain that their child is unique, one who stands out from the crowd.

Of course, if you wanted to fit in, you could pick up one of the most popular baby names. For girls, the top ten includes (in order from #1 to #10): Emily, Emma, Madison, Abigail, Olivia, Isabella, Hannah, Samantha ,Ava, or Ashley. Boys can pick from: Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, Ethan, Andrew, Daniel, Anthony, Christopher, or Joseph. But these seem to blasé.

Why not go for a celebrity name? Jennifer ranks pretty high in 2005, although it has dropped significantly over the past fifteen years, falling from #8 in 1991 to #42 last year. Perhaps Ms. Anniston and J-Lo aren't considered worthy. Madonna didn't even make the grade of the top 1000 baby names; of course, most new parents today probably scarcely remember her. Then again, I wouldn't want my daughter's friends singing "Like a Virgin" every time she came to class. Paris has moved up on the charts significantly in the last three years. Perhaps new parents are hoping to find a claim to the Hilton fortune. But 'Brittany' seems to be in a downward trend. Maybe it will pick up as those teen girls get a little older.

Looking for a manly boys name to convey that rugged independence? How about 'Marley', which ranks as #467 in 2005? A big fan of 'The Princess Bride'? Go with 'Westley', and perhaps your son will turn out to be an adventuring pirate who bravely slays ROUSes. (Sadly, 'Buttercup' didn't make the list. Maybe 'Daisy'?) Since the tide of popular opinion has turned against Brad Pitt, the name 'Brad' will most likely continue to decline in popularity. Oddly, despite the former success of both Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks, the name 'Tom' hasn't even been among the top 1000 picks for nearly ten years. And thankfully, Eminem has escaped the top rankings, as well.

Celebrities come and go, but their names tend to stick around for a long time. You never know when Hollywood may be calling to your child, and giving them a head start may help. Then again, it may keep them safe at home.
Statistical information came from the Social Security Administration's baby name website.

by Nola Redd

About the Author
Nola Redd, mother of three, is working on naming her next baby as we speak. A freelance writer, she posts several short stories and articles at Writing.com. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.BabyNameVote.Com/ which is a site for Baby Names.