AbbyMN needs your "things to consider when choosing a baby's name" advice...

[AbbyMumsnet]

Nope, I'm not preggers, I'm just working on some editorial. Your thoughts, as ever, will be appreciated.

[Flightattendant4]

Say it OUT LOUD. First thing. Make a list and say them all out loud. You'll be amazed what gets crossed off!

[Cammelia]

It is vital to make sure your chosen name fits with the surname and that the initials don't spell out anything embarassing

[mankyscotslass]

Consider all possible abbreviations of your preferred name....what looks ok as a long name may not as a shortened version. And kids will find the worst possible one to use.....

[compo]

don't forget what your surname is.... why on earth people choose names like Peter Peterson is beyond me
also acronyms
Alex Samuel Benjamin Olivers sounds lovely but spells out ASBO fgs

[PussinJimmyWhoooos]

Think about how it goes with your surname...some names on their own are lovely, but then when combined with surname are a mouthful or sound just plain awful!!

Think about what it could be shortened too..DH and I liked Asma for a girl when pg with DS (we didn't find out the flavour), then mother pointed out it could be shortened to Ass.....

[TotalChaos]

Consider how it fits with any siblings names. Sam and Ella anyone?

[Aitch]

if your surname is hunt, be careful. no mikes.

[BitOfFun]

Or Philip Ness

[ledodgy]

I always imagine them sitting in a bar introducing themselves to someone when they are 21 if it sounds ok then it's a winner. A name that sounds cute as a baby may not sound so cute for an adult.

[DoNotAsfinishedXmasshopping]

Will it be easy to spell and pronounce - both for doddery old great aunts and the child.

MIL cannot spell any of my childrens names. And they are not hard either. 1 of them only has 1 spelling and she still cannot manage it . DTD2 has 2 versions of the spelling. DD3 has 4 versions....and it is spelt difefrent every birthday/Christmas. Thank God I don't have a Jeramiah....heaven knows how they would spell that!

If I have another child it will called Sam (boy or girl). No spelling variations (that I know of) and I don't think it can be pronounced wrong either.

[DoNotAsfinishedXmasshopping]

Oh and if you choose a rare spelling of a common name you will never be able to find personalised merchandise off the shelf.

Even if you don't intend to buy personalised goods you can be sure great aunt Winifred will want to and she won't care if she buys a mug with Isabella on when your daughters name is Isobel; then Isobel will be upset.

Also Stephen will get upset if he keeps getting party invites/birthday cards addressed to Steven....

Think about the spelling as well as the actual name

[AbbyMumsnet]

I'd actually got that personalised bit in alread - surely a plus that you can get out of theme park gift shops unscathed?

[DoNotAsfinishedXmasshopping]

No you just spend hours searching all the gift shops in teh resort hoping that 1 is spelt correctly.

Or you can find DC1 and DC3 but not DC2 so DC2 gets upset because they are not popular. DC1 and DC3 get upset because they can see theirs but you won't let them have it.

Not only that...but as a child my own father bought me a mug with my name on it...but it was spelt wrong He didn't think it would matter .

[CharCharGabor]

Think about shouting it up the street or in the supermarket. If you're too embarassed, it isn't good!

[nell12]

Go for different initial for ds and dh, it will save LOTS of embarassment when ds is older and also is known as Mr (same initials as dad)

Never become a teacher; the chances of you finding a name that has not forever been tarnished by some little s**t that you once taught will be dramatically reduced.

[GentleOtter]

Does the name suit the child?
I knew of a little girl named Zephyr who was more akin to a hurricane.

[DoNotAsfinishedXmasshopping]

Oh yes the initials

Myself my dad and my mum all have the same first initial (me and mum have same first and second).

My brother got away with it as they couldn't think of a name they liked with our initial

[GentleOtter]

AND think of diseases eg Candida - oh yes.

[NotanOtterOHappyDay]

Abby - my last three children have relatively different names

however much i LOVE LOVE LOVE tem - it is very hard introducing them to the world

out on the street - in boots - checkout in tesco etc - my names may sound fine within the confines of my home but amongst ordinary people i often find it hard to 'spit them out' so to speak

a deathly hush falls upon us when asked their names

I look at dp and await his input

this is usually nothing compared to the hush that follows the announcement but this bit i am used to...!!

a few years on i can holler R or M with the best of them ....4 months into baby N - I am still very

[NotanOtterOHappyDay]

I used to attend drama class with a Candida Beavers and no this is not a joke

lovely girl

delightful

i never thought her name odd until much later in life

[GentleOtter]

• did she marry Mr Albicans?

[squeaver]

bitoffun My brother actually went to school with a Peter Ness. He had a brother named Robert.

[NotanOtterOHappyDay]

i assume she married so its all ok!

I still think candy a lovely name

[RubySlippers]

if you are going to give an unusual first name, go for a "sensible" middle name

DS has a name which isn't mega unusual but not that common and also unisex!

[catweazle]

When you are saying it out loud don't just say the whole lovely beautiful name middle name surname combo. Try it just as first name surname, which is the usual way people will use it.