Our name distinguishes us from all others. It is part of our identity – who we are as people. Sure two names can be exactly alike; however the identity – physical characteristics, personality, genetics, family history, mental abilities, etc. – that a name symbolizes is unique to the individual. It is no wonder that expectant parents can have a difficult time deciding what to name their unborn child. After all, the birth of a child signifies hope and the promise of a brighter future. Consider parents who never graduated from high school having a baby and deciding that the child will be the first in the family to graduate from college. What name might these parents choose for a child that they dream of having such a bright future? They might choose the name Fernando for a boy. Fernando is a Spanish name meaning “intelligent and brave.” If it is a girl, they might choose the name Minerva of Latin origin meaning “smart and bold.”

Perhaps the proud parents-to-be might choose one of the top 10 baby names of 2005 as compiled by the Social Security Administration. The top female names in order from most to least popular were Emily, Emma, Madison, Abigail, Olivia, Isabella, Hannah, Samantha, Ava, and Ashley. The top ten male baby names were Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, Ethan, Andrew, Daniel, Anthony, Christopher, and Joseph.

Isabella, a Hebrew name, means “my God is a vow,” and Ashley, an English name means “Ash wood.” The Hebrew name, Joshua, means “God rescues,” and Ethan is a Hebrew name meaning “mighty.” Isabella is a stately, beautiful name and Ashley is a cute, sweet name. Joshua is a strong name and Ethan is mysterious. Regardless of their meanings and what they might symbolize for people, all these names are fairly ordinary that many parents have chosen to name their babies.

However, some parents might have more unusual baby names in mind when they are deciding on the name that will symbolize their child’s identify and distinguish him or her from all others. Choosing unusual baby names is a very good way to set their children apart from others. Some odd names such as Drakka, Edgeworth, Ember, and Bronwyn are popular Wiccan or pagan names. For parents who dream of their babies growing up to reach mighty heights, mythical names such as Zeus, Aries, Isis, or Camelot might be good choices. Parents who view their babies as precious gems might choose unusual baby names such as Beryl, Alexandrite, Emerald, or Sterling.

Having a baby is a wonderful and exciting event. There are so many things to consider and so much planning for the future. Yet, one of the first tasks in welcoming a child into this world is giving it a name that expresses the love and hope that parents have for their children. Parents should choose wisely and remember that the name that they give their baby will go with it for the rest of its life. Proceed with caution in choosing unusual baby names because children might be ridiculed for having odd names.