How did you decide baby names?

[yellowflowers]

I literally got my bfp a few days ago so I am a) emotional and b) it is such early days, but I wanted to start discussing names because I love thinking about names (as you will see from me posting on baby names thread even while ttc). DH thought way too early and also he thought my [plan of us both looking at baby name book, both making a list, then comparing list and seeing what we have in common was ridiculous. He said he thought we could just suggest names as we think of them and see what we like - but I am worried we'll miss a good one that way.

So, just wondering - how did you decide the names of your children?

Forgot to mention that the only name DH suggested for DC2 was Violet and I'm convinced that was only because he fancied Violet in Corrie

Talked about baby names way before we decided to have a baby...both liked a boys name. Wrote down a list, which I've kept in the baby record book. When he was born we looked at him and knew straight away he would have the name we'd both liked all those years before.

When my DD came along last Nov, we knew she was a girl but just could not find a name we 100% agreed on or liked. Finally, we had two names in mind, one a flower name and the other a very classic but popular name. She wasn't named for six weeks, we kept calling her by one or the other name we liked, finally going for flower name. Then... when we went to register her, we quickly decided there and then on the spot to add an additonal middle name.

I've just returned a really good baby name book back to the library, cannot remember the name of the book but the author was Victoria Wilson. I think it was from the Teach Yourself series. it's the best one I've come across so far and we've now shortlisted two possible names for DS2 just from looking at this book.

With DS1 we also did the looking at book thing just because it was easier to make sure we didn't miss a good name out! And we also needed inspiration!

With DC1, we had our three boy names ready, and three girls names.

With DC2 and DC3, we hadn't decided and had a nice little post-delivery argument both times. I even tried to get the MW on my side but she wouldn't join in.

IF we ever go for it again, I think we'll have another little argument; we've started a new tradition.

DP produced a shortlist. I bought about a gazillion baby names books, and was yet to come up with a shortlist going into hospital.

When DS was born, it was just suddenly obvious that the one name on DP's list which I had also come across independently and really liked, had to be his name.

The best baby name book I used by the way was The Penguin Dictionary of First Names I recommend it.

Also, I like this baby name site at the moment www.babynamespedia.com/ It's not very easy to navigate, but it's worth sticking with it, it's very comprehensive.

Also, I quite like the baby name finder at www.babycentre.co.uk/babyname/

Intergalactic - had a chance to look at tht list now. wow - there are a lot of names. I am going to have fun!!

My husband fired lots of unsuitable names at me, and I rejected them. I fired lots of lovely names at him until he grabbed hold of one in passing and agreed to it.

We did it like that twice.

We had halfheartedly looked through lists in the 'look at this ridiculous name' fashion, convinced bump was a boy, but unable to find ANY boys names we liked. We found girls names, but didn't write any down, so didn't remember them.

At 27 and a half weeks I went into labour, and when bump was born we were so worried about 'Is it alive?' we didn't ask about gender...

We had a holiday booked to a Scottish island for when I went off on maternity leave, but of course we didn't get there. DD now has the name of said Scottish island.