Choosing a baby name can be daunting. It takes time, and it takes a lot of thought. Well, hopefully, it takes thought because without thought it could be a disaster like the name Placenta, which I heard about ten years ago. I'm guessing her mom didn't carefully think about choosing a baby name. When the placenta came out, she listened to the doctor say so and she decided on her baby name. Please don't name your baby in the immediate postpartum period, emotions are high, and it could be disastrous.

Why I am here and who I am:

Hey mama, I am Trish— AKA Labor Nurse Mama. I am a labor and delivery nurse with over 15 years of high-risk OB experience. I am also a mama to 7 kids and have given birth to 6. This means I am quite familiar with the postpartum period and how to navigate it. I am the online birth class educator for Calm Labor Confident Birth and The VBAC Lab birth classes and the mama expert inside our Calm Mama Society a pregnancy & postpartum membership community! I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey! You can find me over on IG teaching over 230k mamas daily. I am passionate about your birth and motherhood journey!

We make a small commission from some of the links (you dont pay any more for using our links); however some of the recommendations, we do not earn anything; we just love em and want you to know about them. Click here for our full disclosure. Thank you!

One | Choose a Family Name or Special Friend's Name

Using a family name can be a meaningful gesture when choosing a baby name. You should research both family trees to find the perfect baby name. Is there a grandparent or family member who has made an impact on your life? Consider that family members name as a part of your baby's name. Use a family name as a first or middle name. We used a grandfathers name in many of our son's names. Our adopted daughter from India has a middle name after a dear woman who was instrumental in bringing her home to our family. Our youngest daughter is named after my childhood best friend who passed away at nineteen. Our youngest son is our only child that we didn't choose a family name for his name. However, we used an unusual name from the Bible.  Related Post: The Ultimate List of Baby Boy Names From The Bible Related Post: Baby Girl names from the Bible

Two | Be Unique

Choosing a very unique baby name is the prime focus of most parents, especially Millennial parents. Having a unique name is very special to a child. It's also pretty nice when your child's name is not the same as four others in their class at school. However, don't go too weird because being overly unique is not the best when it involves children. Children can be ruthless about each other's names. You don't want to subject your child to taunting from mean-spirited people. Related Post: 20 Unique Baby Boy Names for The Millennial Mom Related Post: 20 Unique Baby Girl Names to make you Swoon!

Here's what Im super excited about right now for the new year. LEARNING MY STUPID SLR CAMERA!! I truly want to be able to take better pics of my kids. I used to rock my camera. Mike bought me a new one and I can't get it right. Apparently the trick to taking stellar pictures whether with an I-phone or a SLR camera is lighting and technique. I'm so excited to share this bundle I found. Holy Moly it is so many resources wrapped up in one and it's super cheap. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Three | Spelling Matters

I have seen some bizarre spellings for commonly used names. I don't get it. It's ok if you want to change a letter, like a c for a K or vice versus, but don't go over the top when changing the spelling. We changed Nicholas to Nikolas with our third son. Strangely spelling a common name does not make a unique name. Check out some examples I found in my research. Soosin  better known as Susan. Tiesan better known as Tyson. Alyzzabeth or maybe Elizabeth? Mackquelliegha um…I can't. Sorry, Mikayla.

Four | Nicknames Happen

You know you are guilty of this as well as I am. You know someone who has a long name, and you call them the shortened version. Names like Benjamin or Samantha, beg to be more informal. My children had a close friend growing up whose name is Harrison. My kids and husband kept on calling him Harry, even though his mom insisted that they didn't. It became a “tolerated” normal, but I'm sure his mom wasn't pleased. It's wise to keep in mind all the ways that a name can end up shortened while choosing a baby name. Nicknames are also a factor when choosing a baby name for your baby girl or boy. My husband used to be infamous (before his accident) for his impromptu ability to form a nickname. Nicknames can be fun, but they can also be annoying. We planned to name our son Elias, Wyatt, and called him by the name, throughout my entire pregnancy. My father in law who is a jokester, called him Wyatt Burp for nine months, one week and three days. But who's counting? Me, that's who, and my pregnancy hormones were on FIRE. I couldn't deal with a lifetime of Wyatt Burp, so we landed on the name Elias, and that was that.

Five | Play Fair

You may have a name that you are head over heels for, but your best friend named her daughter that as well. I wouldn't use a close friend's baby's name, but you may feel okay with it. First, go to your friend, explain your desire to use the name, and hear her thoughts on the subject. She may ask you to reconsider. Alternatively, she may consider it an honor.

 

Six | What's the Meaning?

Are you one of the many people who feel that a name should have a significant meaning? I find the definitions of a name to be a significant factor in choosing a baby name. I keep a journal that I have my children's names and their meanings written inside. I pray those meanings over them often. For instance, Micaiah means “who is like God.” Micaiah is our son's middle name. I pray for him that he will desire to be Christlike and honor God. For my son Hunter, I pray that he will hunt after truth. For Lani, I pray that her love for Jesus will be as vast as the sky. For our grandson, Asa, I pray that he will be a great healer and bring peace and healing to everyone he meets. The meaning of a name is significant to me, but I wouldn't say it's the deciding factor.

Seven | Homophone

This is important. If you are a new mom with no children, this isn't pressing. But for those of us with multiple children, it is — my sister named her daughters Kara, Kayle, and Kyla. It became a tongue-tied mess when they were children. I never knew which name would come flying out of my mouth. Mostly, I called each one Karakaylekyla and let that be it. I have a Greyson and a Gavin and never dreamed that the letter G would trip me up. I call Greyson, Gavin all the time. It is so annoying. You should keep this in mind when choosing your baby name.

Eight | Advice and Opinions

I am a very strong willed person, and most the time I could care less what other people think about my name choices. However, If you are easily swayed by opinion, then I would consider keeping your baby name choices on the down low until the baby is born. Anna and Ian didn't tell anyone Asa's name until he was born. It drove us little nuts, but it was kind of exciting as well. You should be very wise when it comes to asking for advice concerning your child's name. You may have your heart set on a name, and someone's reaction could be very hurtful. Just remember that it's your baby and your choice. The most important opinion is your partners which leads me to number nine.

 

Nine | It's a Family Affair

When choosing a baby name, do it together. Be a team. Unless you are single, consider your partner's opinion. Independently research and create a list of favorites and then come together to discuss each other's baby name choices. Narrow the listings down to a few agreed upon preferences. If you are having trouble deciding, put the lists down and revisit them in a few days. Don't get your heart set upon a name until you share it with your spouse. This will save you a ton of disappointment if your name isn't well received. Related Post: The fear of Budgeting for a New Baby is Real

Ten | Try it out

Once you narrow down to a few front-runners when choosing a baby name, you can begin to test them out. Write it out with your last name and say it out loud. Call the baby by the name and see how you feel using it. See if the name becomes natural for you. I always did this, and I would know in my heart if this was my baby's name. The name becomes natural and just flows. My real passion in life is my career as a Labor and Delivery Nurse, so check out my additional resources for you pregnant mommas: Are You a First-time Pregnant Mom? Read our Tips Understand Each Stage of Labor 6 Signs of Labor according to a labor nurse Preparing for Labor: Check out These 10 Incredible Products Natural Birth Guide: Four Tips for the Millennial Mom