Naming and ceremonies

2. Choosing a name
It's worth checking your baby's chosen name for any unfortunate meanings of the initials (e.g. WC) and unfortunate combinations (such as Master Dwayne Pipe). Try out all the possible nicknames too.
Most bookshops hold a stock of name dictionaries. Specialist books are also available, if you are searching for a specific ethnic origin of name - Celtic or African, for example.
A few of the more commonplace titles are listed here.

Useful contacts

• Baby Names, www.babynames.com A US website with over 15,000 names; searches can be done by initial letter, whole name or meaning. A name search service (20 Dollars) aims to provide a match for a host of criteria: ethnic preferences, phonetic considerations (e.g. alliterative names), desired style (trendy, traditional, biblical) and so on.
  
• DF Creations, www.dfcreations.comDownloadable US software that aims to help you find a suitable name for your baby "quickly and easily" with advice on avoiding undesirable initials and name combinations: (20 Dollars).

Dictionaries of names:

• 35,000+ Baby Names - Bruce Lansky (Meadowbrook Press; 1995; £4.95; 088166216X)
  
• 7000 Baby Names - Hilary Spence (Classic & modern; Foulsham; 2000; £4.99; 0572026471)
  
• Baby Names Around the World - Bruce Lansky (Meadowbrook Press; 1999; £7.95; 0-881663-29-8) - Over 50,000 names from around the world, indexed by country and ethnicity of origin; lists of the most popular names since the 1880s; advice on making up a new name and points to consider when naming your child.
  
• Collins Pocket Reference Book of First Names - HarperCollins (HarperCollins; 1996; £6.99; 0004709411) - Reliable histories and interpretations.
  
• The New Virgin Book of Baby Names - Emily Wood (Virgin; 2000; £5.99; 0753504065)

©Text 2002 Kate Calvert; Listings ©2002 Kate Calvert & Harden's Ltd