Some people bring a list of 50+ names into the delivery room, hoping to find one that fits their soon-to-be-arriving child. Others have the name picked out long before they even find out they’re expecting. But which method ends in a less-stressful, but well-thought out, naming experience for both parent and child? Today, we’re diving into another reader requested topic: should you bring several name options into the delivery room, or is it better to pick just one?
Pros to Multiple Options
Committing to the name your child will bear for the rest of his/her life before he/she is even born may result in a frantic scramble to find a better name if the day comes and for whatever reason, the name just doesn’t seem right. Another possible negative outcome to choosing the name before the birth is it not sitting right with you once he/she is actually born, but going through with the name anyway. If you feel pressured to stick with a pre-decided name and end up choosing an option that you aren’t confident in once your baby arrives, you may regret not picking another name that would’ve suited your baby better. Bringing several options with you may help you find the most appropriate name for your newborn.
To elaborate, once you’re actually holding a baby, Scheherazade Huckleberry may seem like a bit too much name for your newborn child, or Pamela Judith feels too uptight for your little girl. You may find that your front runner isn’t as suitable for a young child as you would like once the baby you dreamt of becomes a reality. In these cases, you will be more readily able to alter the name if you bring multiple name options.
Cons to Multiple Options
Something I hear a lot from people who experience name regret is that the pressure to choose from a list of several names at the hospital caused them to choose a name they didn’t like as much as the others. Because the stress of having to make a monumental decision can cause parents to make an impulse choice that they regret, it can be better to make that decision before meeting the baby to avoid feeling under pressure while experiencing the heightened emotions in the hospital. When choosing a name before arriving at the hospital, parents feel less pressed for time and are more likely to make a well-thought out decision about their child’s name.
While some parents say things like “She’s such a Millie” or “He looks exactly like a Jack,” I find it pretty hard to tell from the looks of a newborn baby the name that will best suit his/her personality as he/she grows, making “We’ll see what he/she looks like” a pretty hard strategy to name by.
Finally, choosing a name before the baby is born can strengthen the connection that the parents and family, if they’re notified of the name, have with the baby. Instead of referring to the upcoming arrival as “baby” and “little one,” loved ones can call him/her by name, which is much more personal. Choosing a name ahead of time also allows for name reveals and pre-ordered birth announcements, which can be fun for parents, family, and friends to enjoy.
Final Thoughts:
I didn’t originally have a strong opinion on this topic, but now, after reviewing the pros and cons, I think it’s best to choose a name before meeting your baby. In my experience, how a newborn baby looks doesn’t really define what kind of name they suit, and being able to get a head start on nursery decor and birth announcements is a big plus. However, as always, this is a decision up to personal preference, and I can definitely see both sides of the argument.
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
Do you think it’s a good idea to decide on a name before or when the baby is born? Do you agree with me? Comment down below!
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