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

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

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.

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.

Or Philip Ness

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

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

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.....

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

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.....

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

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