Chances are great that the process of naming your baby began long before you got the chance to actually look into that angelic little face. Maybe you were one of the few lucky ones who knew immediately what your choice would be, but for most, naming a baby is a long and complicated journey. Depending on your family dynamics, numerous people may have a say so in compiling your list of naming choices. If you are a single parent, you might have the only say so that matters. If planning a family with your significant other, the two of you may prefer that your opinions and no others be the deciding influence. Still other families will seek input from older relatives or even other children before naming their new addition. In a decision such as this, one thing is absolutely certain. You will question yourself constantly and more than likely switch your top choice at least a few dozen times. Relax. Its only natural that you question your decision as you want the name you choose to be perfect, just as you hope everything else you give your child is also perfect.
Those with certain religious beliefs may utilize a baby naming ceremony shortly after their child is born. In some cases this baby naming ceremony will simply serve to announce the naming choice already made by the child's parents. In other situations parents may elect to have members of the congregation help in choosing a name during this time. In yet another possibility, the child may already have a given name, and yet be given a religious name over the course of the baby naming ceremony. Research the traditions of your specific faith and decide (as you do have the choice to follow their traditions or not) whether you will be participating in these type ceremonies with your new baby.
A naming guide is a common tool, often widely used when making naming choices in today's society. Certain cultures have unwritten guides to name choices, often based on the sex of the child or the order in which the child was born into the family (i.e., the second child, third child, etc.). A naming guide can often be found in print form in bookstores, or online on a majority of pregnancy or parenting websites. Naming guides provide lists of names by popularity, meaning, even origin. Many websites offer expectant parents the option of inputting a particular characteristic or meaning and then will provide the parents with the names that would correlate. You can search these guides by boy names, girl names, or even unisex names if you decide to.
Whatever your final naming choice may be, and regardless of the influence that gets you there, naming your child is one of the most important decisions you'll get the opportunity to make in your lifetime. Let yourself enjoy the process. With the simple caution of monitoring what your child's initials will be (let's face it, no one MEANS to give their child the initials P.I.G.), there are no rules that you must follow, no standards to adhere to unless they are those of your own choosing.
No matter what, do not be afraid to rely on one influence more than any other, the influence of your heart.