How do you judge a baby name? 5 easy ways...

Here is are a few ways to short-cut the 9 months of speculating about the merits of your baby's name...

1. What's Your Reaction?

The book Blink theorized that how we react to something in the first few seconds has important long-term meaning, and that is the same for a name.  Maybe you can learn to love a name that at first seems weird and old-fashioned like Cyrus but its better to choose a name that, the minute you hear it, makes you feel positive and full of anticipation for meeting the person who owns it.

2. The number of syllables

They say the most compatible first names will have a different number of syllables than your surname  and a different number from the middle name too.  Which means that a syllable combination of 2-3-1,  for instance, or 3-1-2 or 1-3-4 is best.  Without even knwoing this rule my son's name has a 1-4-2 combination - and it flows beautifully!

3. What are the initials?

Have you noticed that the first thing that people do when you tell them your baby's name is to check out what the initials spell?   No matter how beautiful the names you have chosen, make sure you don't set your child up for a lifetime of embarassment.  And interestingly, studies show that people with initials that spell out positive things – A.C.E. or V.I.P. – live nearly five years longer than those with negative ones.

4, Check the chart

By checking the annual name popularity chart, you can tell at a glance how quickly a name is becoming more popular, and how consistent its use has been over time. 

5. Can you understand it easily?

If you are trying out an unusual name and you're not sure, write the name down and see how it looks and try it out on a few people.  Don't actually tell them you are thinking of using the name, just tell them you've met someone with that name and test the reaction.  If people are confused and keep asking how to pronounce it or spell it, you will get a snapshot of how your child's life will be if you land them with this burden.