What's in a name? A whole lot. Just ask Dweezil Zappa, Bronx Mowgli, Suri Cruise and other celebrity offspring who've been the unlucky recipients of some mindless monikers. Naming your children is a responsibility that one shouldn't take lightly. What you decide in an instant will stay with your child for a lifetime. While some parents might think it's cute to give their spawn some off-the-wall name, it's highly unlikely that their children will find it entertaining 10, 20 or 30 years later. Here are some tips to keep in my mind before naming your child. Pick out a first name that flows with your last name. For your child's sake, you don't want to saddle him a name that sounds clunky and awkward. John Johnson? Jack Jackson? Not so much. When you've chosen the full name, look at the monogram. For example, Eden Victoria Lane might sound pretty, but do you really want to raise E.V.L.?
Bypass names that will set your child up for public humiliation. It isn't long before a classroom of fifth graders realizes that cute little Debris is actually named after garbage. And who wants their name to end up as a punchline on The Simpsons? The idea is to give your child a name of which he will be proud. And while it might be tempting to name her after you favorite flower, how is Petunia or Tulip going to feel when she's being called upon in the middle of a board meeting 20 years from now? Avoid trendy names as well. It may seem avant garde to call her Sunshine, Willow or Diamond now, but will you feel the same way in 10 years? Also try and bypass the names that can be shortened to something insulting. Consider family names that have a history among your loved ones. Also look for names that have special meaning or symbolism. Naming your child is definitely something you want to put a lot of time into. Your son or daughter will thank you later.